Most of our lectures related to biology, physiology or biochemistry. In the ADH clinic we practised as “dentists” to give each other a general examination. Our laboratory sessions centred around fissure sealants, matrix bands and especially rubber dam.

For all of my life Mum has cooked for me. Living alone, I have learnt to cook a whole host of things, such as game meat — kangaroo, buffalo, emu, goat, venison (deer) and crocodile! Occasionally eating out, then, becomes a relief.

A radiograph taken during the year revealed that I still had a deciduous (baby) tooth! Above it is my horizontal permanent (adult) tooth. A few weeks ago I had braces put on and just this week had the deciduous tooth extracted, tooth exposure surgery and a chain attached to the permanent tooth. Eating and tooth brushing were at first challenging, but are now more manageable.

2011 has given me greater confidence in myself to endure life’s difficulties and do well in what I love to do. Although it is a relief to be back home, the friendly people and the quaint city of Adelaide have left me with a good impression. I look forward to returning in 2012. I will strive for higher, meet new people and promote the Vietnamese Students Association of South Australia.

Making us think laterally can be frustrating. Most importantly, maturity has a heavy onus. There will always be disagreements. ‘Professionalism’ gets drummed into us, that we must be very careful with what we say and do.

But to end on a positive note, I find the course extremely interesting and I like the fact that we are taught important clinical skills early. So the past six months have been enriching indeed.

During our lunch break I cut the cake and my large group of friends presented me with my gifts and sang ‘Happy Birthday.’ I felt very loved indeed.

You would be surprised to know that I celebrated my nineteenth a month ago back in Sydney with my family, with the first of three birthday cakes and a dinner at Thai Pothong.

Thank you everyone (in particular Liz, Rav and Sara)! You made my day.

Now, fingers crossed I win the lottery — the ticket would be the best present from my parents.

That night I had only two hours of sleep. Then early the next morning we flew to Adelaide. Mum and I vacillating by taxi between a couple of accommodation options, only to decide on our initial stop!

Then I walked to the university campus to quickly enrol. I couldn’t. I had no idea about the Dental Surgery courses so I walked a fair distance to the School of Dentistry and the wonderful staff talked me through what I missed out in O-Week. Sleep deprived and thirsty, it was a lot of information to digest in one go.

We rushed back to check in to my dwelling. We tried napping but we couldn’t and after a while we walked around the city buying linen and groceries. Throughout the day Mum kept on repeating “give up” to me and she was being serious. It was an incredibly tough day.

On Saturday morning Dad arrived and took us to the various places which would carry out my blood tests. They were closed. Then we headed over to the police station. They wanted photocopies of my photo identification documents so we had to return to print these out. And then we headed back and were told that the police document will arrive in a number of weeks. We spent the rest of the day driving around (yes, Dad hired a car) to buy the paraphernalia I would need. In the evening during our dinner we found out the owner was the sister-in-law of my aunt-in-law’s close friend. Adelaide is a small place indeed!

On the weekend an ATM swallowed my bank card. (Talk about bad luck!!!)

I had to rush over to the bank during my Monday lunch break, the first day of university, to get it sorted.

I will keep you updated, but I can let you know now that the first week of the semester will be just as busy. I haven’t bought the equipment needed, read through all the information in the handbooks and, most importantly, prepared myself mentally for my journey to becoming a dentist. I’ll be living alone for the months ahead so I’ll greatly appreciate all the help I can get.