Joseph Brosnahan

University Experience

Joseph Brosnahan graduated from Bangkok Patana in 2018 and headed straight to the University of Otago to commence his studies in Law and Politics.

After completing my IB Examinations in May 2018, I had a shorter summer break than my classmates as I flew to Dunedin, New Zealand at the end of June to start Semester 2 classes at the University of Otago. It has been a busy few months but I am thoroughly enjoying my studies in Politics, History and Criminology. In February, I will start my studies in Law as I plan to do a double degree in Law and Politics. I have particularly enjoyed learning about political theory and political history, as well as debating current issues. I have even joined the Political Students Association club.
As a New Zealander, I am fortunate to be able to enjoy my first year of study with free fees, thanks to a new initiative by our government. I also recently won a ‘New Frontiers Sustained Excellence’ scholarship for $5000. I was eligible as I gained 38 points in the IB Diploma.

The University of Otago is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2019. The University has over 20,000 students so Dunedin is very much a ‘university’ city. After living with my grandparents for eight months, I will move into a residential college in February. I am looking forward to meeting even more new people and being able to walk to the Central Library and the Student Union, with its range of cafés, in five minutes. The campus is one of my favourite things about the University of Otago, with its magnificent Gothic style clock tower building and the Leith River running past. Alongside my studies I also started my first job in August, working at the weekends and one evening a week as a waiter in a restaurant based at a local horse-racing venue. These past few months have been full of new experiences and I strongly believe my time at Bangkok Patana prepared me well for my ‘new’ life!”