Meet Foundation Studies teacher Miriam Nicholls

What class do you teach?

Literature

What do you enjoy most about working at Trinity College?

Our wonderful students, who are really engaged, interesting to teach, and fun to be around.

What are your three favourite things about Melbourne?

I love the parklands, creeks and rivers, which we are so lucky to have in a city. I also love the big sky. And, of course, you can’t go past Melbourne’s many bookshops! Two of my favourites are Readings in Carlton and The Sun Bookshop in Yarraville.

What is your favourite Australian animal?

My favourite Australian animal is the echidna. Echidnas are extremely shy, and are very cute when one spots you and tries to hide its face in the long grass. You can find them in the wild down in South Gippsland, Phillip Island and in the Grampians.

Give an example of a time when something started out badly for you but turned out for the best.

When I was a young teenager I desperately wanted to be a stage actor. I got the part of Helena in the school production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. All went well in rehearsal until opening night, when, minutes into my first speech I realised I was so awkward on stage, I’d never be an actor – I was terrible! I turned my attention to studying the plays I loved instead, which eventually brought me to teaching literature. So, all’s well that ends well.

What advice would you give to a student who is thinking about studying Foundation Studies at Trinity?

To anyone considering studying Foundation Studies I’d say, embrace the chance you have! Throw yourself into these opportunities and try and get the most out of it. There is so much to be gained by studying in another country, and Australia is a wonderful place to do that.