A respected colleague went through ATSU’s Post-Professional AuD Program several years ago and highly recommended it. I was waiting for the right time in my life to do it myself. The only reason I did not do it earlier was because until recently, it was a synchronous program, and the time difference made that impossible as I am a South African Audiologist working in Cape Town, Western Cape in a private practice environment. 

As a leader of a five-person audiologist team with five physical practice outlets, I am highly driven by my clinical work. Also, with many changes in the industry of audiology, I perceived it to be important to extend my clinical knowledge and venture into new areas of audiological and vestibular service delivery. The program offered an exciting array of courses to grow my skill set! 

My decision to participate in the ATSU’s Post-Professional AuD Program was an internally driven dream of mine. We rarely get the amazing opportunity in our lives to refresh our passion for what we do, and I just really wanted to do it for myself.

Education has been a part of my vision from early on, but not always just for education’s sake! I think the desire to attain an additional degree grew over time. After 28 years in practice, it felt like I needed a renaissance, and it was the combination of ATSU’s asynchronous set up, whole person philosophy, and prestigious reputation with other colleagues that made me feel as if this was the right fit for me. 

I was worried about the financial considerations involving the AuD program, particularly with the South African Rand being so weak, and no foreign student financial support in the form of a scholarship or bursary. But when there is a will, there is a way. So, I saved up for some of it, and then paid my tuition in four installments, which made the burden a little easier.  

Before deciding to earn my AuD degree at ATSU, I felt excited and afraid! I entered the program to expand on my current career. I was solely focused on what the new knowledge and skill set would mean for my service delivery to my patients, so the clinical knowledge meant the world to me. It was also incredible to gain a more global view of the profession, with contributions from all of my classmates who greatly enriched the journey. It began to make a difference in the way I worked, even during the course. So, this has paid off in exactly the way I intended. 

The program met all of my expectations! I expected the AuD program to be challenging and increase my depth as a professional. And it was incredibly challenging on my time and resources. But it was broken up so efficiently, and there was so much guidance from our esteemed lecturers, that it was possible to ‘eat the elephant one bite at a time!’ 

I felt privileged when I was accepted into the program. I am a curious learner with a holistic and integrated approach to my career, so I was looking forward to the entire thing! I have come out with so much more depth and appreciation for knowledge, and for what I can do for others now. I feel such gratitude for this part of my life. Thank you!