Choosing to study with Open Polytechnic was an opportunity to ‘dip my toes in the water’, and study at my own pace without disrupting my lifestyle. It gave me the option to be able to keep working in a full-time capacity, while also being able to study something I was interested in.

Having a long term goal for doing the course definitely gives you drive.

My study has given me the skills to be able to enter whānau homes and build strong working relationships to help develop their wellbeing because you won't be able to help or connect with whānau without building a good relationship first.

I worked shift work, so I couldn’t commit to attending formal classes and with my lifestyle. I am very self-focussed which helped me make the choice to study with Open Polytechnic as I knew I could knuckle down and commit to online learning.

Sam Johnstone