BSSC alumna, Say Ka Trace Hlaing, is back on campus in a completely new role.
A 2015 graduate of our college, Say Ka Trace had always known she wanted to work in the health area. In her final year at BSSC she decided to pursue a Dental Assistant course at RMIT.
“I wanted to work in a career where I was interacting with people every day. My job is also very interesting because you never know what problems people may present with.”
Her twelve-month uni course included placements at Bendigo Health—where she now works—and the Smile Squad van is part of Bendigo Health’s outreach into the community.
Say Ka Trace was born in the Mae La refugee camp in Myanmar and came to Bendigo in 2009 when she was thirteen.
“It was so hard to adapt at the beginning,” she remembers. “Learning a new language, adjusting to Australian culture, and there were very few Karen people in Bendigo at that time.
“I sometimes felt misunderstood and almost like a guinea pig!”
The EAL (English as an Additional Language) program at BSSC was an incredibly important source of support, assisting Say Ka Trace to become confident with English and adapt to the—sometimes bewildering—cultural norms of her new home.
“Jenni Carlyle-Shelton was my EAL teacher and the EAL team gave me all the assistance I needed—it helped me feel more confident and relaxed here.”
Committed to making the absolute most of her opportunities, Say Ka Trace took an Administration and Business course through CVGT during her final year of school.
Then, last year, while working full-time, she also enrolled at RMIT to become a qualified interpreter—a huge benefit for Karen people who access dentistry through Bendigo Health, and a wonderful skill to add to her considerable achievements.
Today, Year 12 student, Ozer Tsering, made the most of this free service—delivered with care and great smiles by Smiles Squad Dentist, Anna, and Dental Assistant, Say Ka Trace.
