When young Loxton woman Daniella Romeo became aware of the opportunity to study her accounting and business degree remotely through the Murray River Study Hub, the decision to stay in her beloved Riverland after year 12 and complete university was a no-brainer.
Ms Romeo said it was the combination of the “easy-going lifestyle”, involvement in community sport and staying close to family and friends which drew her to the online study concept, and with the exceptional support and simple-to-navigate online systems – she hasn’t looked back.
“Online study just seems easier than going to an actual campus. I’ve lived in Loxton all my life and I love being in a small town, I never wanted to move to the city,” she says.
“I’ve found the online study system pretty straight forward, and if you don’t want to move you can study from home; or if you can’t focus at home, you can go to the local hub.”
Ms Romeo said the other great bensefit of studying her double Bachelor of Accounting and Bachelor of Business through the Murray River Study Hub meant she could continue working at the local sports shop and didn’t have to worry about finding a house or job in Adelaide – instead, she just focussed on her study.
“In year 12, someone came in and asked us how we’d feel about a space and program opening up locally to help us study from the Riverland. I thought it sounded great and signed up to keep updated,” she says.
“Then I met Rachel [MRSH student advisor], and she’s helped me each step of the way, even with my application.
“And the support didn’t stop there, she checks in on me all the time – it’s good to know that she’s local and consistently available to help.”
Numbers always interested Ms Romeo at school.
“I had a lot of ideas on what I wanted to do, but accounting really appealed to me. It’s the type of career you can go anywhere with, and there will always be jobs in the industry. The business degree is a bonus too, because that can help me no matter what path I choose.”
Ms Romeo is now keen to look for local work experience in her field, and one of her next goals will be to reach out to local accounting firms – another benefit of being in a small community with the support of the MRSH student advisors, is the instant networks you can find with local businesses.
She also recommended the MRSH model to upcoming year 12 graduates, citing the benefits of no travel, less stress, maintaining the relaxed Riverland lifestyle and staying close to family and friends.
“Even with full time study, it’s flexible and it can work around my life. I can sit down by the river and have a coffee with my friends anywhere, at anytime. It’s great.”
If you’re interested in studying your university degree online in 2021, while still living and working in the beautiful Riverland or Murraylands region, make sure you fill out an Expression of Interest with the MRSH, or discover more about the hub here.
