|
“The Institute has been very supportive—especially the teachers. They’ve been wonderful."
Hairdressing graduate Elise Koole hasn’t let deafness stop her from achieving her dreams.
The Certificate III in Hairdressing student recently completed her goal of graduating from Box Hill Institute as a qualified hairdresser.
In late September, Elise travelled to Darwin to fulfil another dream of teaching sign language and lip reading to deaf Aboriginal children.
Elise said she always wanted to work as a hairdresser despite being born profoundly deaf.
“I’ve always had to use my hands. I just wanted to learn everything to do with hairdressing,” she said.
Elise said studying at the Institute had been a fantastic experience.
“You learn new things every day. I feel so confident with myself now and with the staff and students,” she said.
“The Institute has been very supportive—especially the teachers. They’ve been wonderful.
“They work harder with me to make sure I understand everything. They don’t think of me any differently to any other student.
“I feel I am on the same level as everyone else and am accepted here. Some of the students don’t even notice I’m deaf so sometimes I have to explain it to them.”
Elise said she had recommended the course to a friend who was also deaf and wanted to study.
“I would recommend Box Hill Institute’s hairdressing course to anyone. The staff are helpful and they set up the room really well,” she said.
“There are mirrors everywhere so you can lip read and see what everyone is saying and see what is happening all around you.”
Elise said she would encourage other deaf people to follow their own dreams.
“You just have to go for it. There is a lot of support out there. It’s hard work, but worth it,” she said.
12 July 2007
|