Aisling stays in Teesside after study

It was Teesside University’s courses in occupational therapy which brought Aisling Durkin from her native Ireland to Middlesbrough, where she’s now started work.

Aisling, 32, who is graduating from the BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy degree is originally from Tullamore in Ireland. She is now working as a graduate occupational therapist.

She said: 'It was the occupational therapy course which brought me to Teesside. I saw some information about it on the Internet and was also impressed by what I saw on the University’s Students’ Union website in how involved the students are.

Staff are very supportive 'Coming to Teesside to study was the first time I’d been to Middlesbrough and I’ve been very impressed with the University’s campus, facilities and staff. The staff are very supportive and there’s lots of easy access to up-to-date research.'

During her time at Teesside, Aisling chaired the Occupational Therapy Society and was both a School Representative and Course Representative in the School of Health & Social Care.

She said, “I’ve really enjoyed being involved in the Occupational Therapy Society and as a School and Course Representative I was able to see how much students are involved in their own learning, which I felt was very important.

'When I came to Teesside I was really pleased to see how much the University is interested in the student experience and looking at ways in which it can be made better for the students. As a school representative I found that everyone from lecturers to the Vice-Chancellor were accessible, which was fantastic.'

She added, 'I really enjoyed the degree work placements, which provided great opportunities as the Teesside area is a great place to work because of the different hospital facilities available.'

Aisling works at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust’s new facility Roseberry Park, formerly St Luke’s.

During her degree she did placements at Middlesbrough’s James Cook Hospital and nearby St Luke’s, which has since been replaced by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust’s new facility Roseberry Park – where Aisling now works.

Aisling said the degree stood her in good stead for her new role, adding: 'The degree course really prepared me for the role and working as an occupational therapist.'

She added: 'I’d highly recommend Teesside University and since coming over I’ve encouraged a friend from back home to come from Ireland to Teesside to study.'

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