Maiki Sun

I grew up playing many different sports, which is where my love and appreciation for movement and sport began. My dad is a tennis coach and together with my mum, they have run a tennis coaching business for over 25 years. Naturally, I began playing tennis when I was around 5 years old and have been playing ever since.

As I grew up, I experienced many injuries and setbacks, and have since been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Throughout all of this, I met a range of physiotherapists and exercise physiologists who inspired me to help others in the way they helped me. I saw many good and not so good physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, strength and conditioning coaches and doctors but in the end, I had to stop playing sport at a high level.

I was inspired to study Sport and Exercise Science as I wanted to be able to help people as these health professionals had helped me, particularly young athletes to be able to reach their goals and not let hurdles such as injuries prevent them from achieving their dreams.

I am passionate about helping people achieve their dreams and goals in any way that I can. I want to help people continue to participate in the things they love and enjoy.

Studying Sport and Exercise Science has allowed me to gain a broad understanding of sport and movement while giving me many avenues to pursue.

This degree has allowed me to understand many people I work with in ways I wasn’t able to do before. I have been able to transfer the knowledge I have learnt from lectures and tutorials into my work as well as everyday life.

I was first drawn to UTS because of the amazing facilities that are available for us to learn in. After hearing some of the lecturers and staff members speak at Orientation days and Experience UTS day, I wanted to be able to learn in an environment that would support my goals while providing me with many varied opportunities.

What has stood out to me is the way the tutors and lecturers design our tutorials. They all put in the effort to make the classes engaging and make the links clear between the content we learn in lectures and how it can be applied to real-life situations. We make the most out of the facilities available to us at Moore Park, and seeing the content turn into something we will do in the future makes me excited.

I would like to further my studies with a Master of Physiotherapy, however, I am also open to many different opportunities that may present themselves. I am excited to see where the next few years take me.

To anyone considering studying this field, I would say to keep your mind open to opportunity, even if you are 100% set on a certain career path. You learn so many things that your interests might be sparked in other areas you had never considered.

I would also say to take advantage of as many opportunities as you possibly can as this will allow you to get the most out of uni. UTS is a great platform as the lecturers and teaching staff have so much knowledge and experience. They are always happy and open to help you or chat with you about their various experiences.

Find out more about the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science