Laurence Arundell spent six years finding his place at the University of Otago and, having since graduated and found work as a physiotherapist, says he doesn’t regret one moment of the journey.
Six eventful years at the University of Otago helped the multi-talented Laurence Arundell find his place in the world.
Growing up in the small rural town of Fairlie in South Canterbury, Laurence left home at the young age of 10 for boarding school at St Andrews College in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
There he became interested in a variety of science, sport and creative fields which left him somewhat challenged by the idea of pursing one discipline and committing to a career pathway when leaving high school.
“I developed a bit of a competitive spirit and played every sport I could find the time for, but I also have creative passions, with my current hobbies including things like landscaping and astrophotography,” Laurence says.
The lack of surety after secondary school motivated Laurence to take a gap year where he volunteered at a school in Ecuador which specialised in the education and care of children with Downs Syndrome.
His role was to assist a rehabilitation physiotherapist to support children by equipping them with the tools they needed to walk, talk, eat and navigate their surroundings.
This experience nudged him towards completing Health Sciences First Year in Dunedin the following year, but he wasn’t too hasty to commit to physiotherapy studies, given there were so many other avenues that sparked his interest.
“I applied for every professional programme after completing Health Sciences First Year because I couldn’t quite picture where I belonged.
“While I was accepted into the physiotherapy programme, I instead decided to complete a bachelor’s degree in biomedicine with functional human biology, which consisted mostly of physiology papers.”
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This degree gave Laurence the time to explore his interests while gaining invaluable academic and professional expertise.
During this time, he also joined the Aotearoa New Zealand Territorial Army in 2021, helping him to earn an income while living as a student, play his part in supporting the country, and gain valuable skills in first aid and medic training.
Laurence still works for the Territorial Army and says this experience, his time overseas, and the degree he was completing led him to consider a career in physiotherapy.
He realised this occupation brought together his creative, sport and scientific passions and packaged it into a practical career which helps people.
Laurence says he has no regrets about his study journey as he deeply enjoyed his time at Otago and felt supported by staff.
He felt comfortable asking his supervisors and educators questions and was able to build strong friendships, which he still has.
He enjoyed his time at Otago so much that, after graduating in December last year, he joined the University as a physiotherapist in the clinic based at the Ōtepoti Dunedin campus.
He’s excited to further develop his clinical practice and connect with the team in his new job, finding it a wonderful challenge to solve problems for clients and help them live their healthiest lives.
-Kōrero by the Division of Health Sciences Communications Adviser, Kelsey Swart
School of Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists are health professionals essential to the rehabilitation and maintenance of optimal physical ability and healthy lifestyles.
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