As an ambitious high school student in rural Victoria, Bachelor of Biomedicine student Laura often felt like “the odd one out” and feared her university dreams weren’t financially possible.
But Laura’s dreams became her reality when she learned that she had received support through the Narrm Scholarship Program thanks to donor support.
“I think getting a scholarship is about so much more than money, it's the opportunities that support opens for you,” she said.
Laura (left) studying with a friend.
Laura was raised in a town about an hour north-east of Melbourne and attended a public high school nearby.
“50 per cent of my year level left school at the end of year 10, and my school rarely has students go on to the University of Melbourne. I was the only one last year,” said Laura.
“I probably annoyed my teachers to no end with all my questions and practice tests!”
Although she was one of few in her year group working towards a university education, Laura remained focused on her long-held dream of attending the University of Melbourne.
“During year 12, I had written goals and aspirations on post it notes and pinned them above my desk in my room.”
When it came to deciding on a course of study, Laura always felt she had an aptitude for math and biology, but it was her grandfather’s illness and care experience during her later schooling years that ultimately shaped her dream to study biomedicine.
“In his later years of life, I had a lot of exposure to being in hospitals,” shared Laura.
“Seeing that, and the tangible impact you can have through patient care, that was really important to me and that's why I’m doing biomedicine.”
Optimism against odds
While Laura worked hard during high school towards her dream, she always fought against the niggling feeling that it may not be financially attainable for her.
Raised by a single mother who was unable to work, Laura not only believed she’d need to self-fund her studies, but also felt a responsibility to help support her family.
Still, Laura’s dreams came within reach when she was accepted into a Bachelor of Biomedicine after achieving a high ATAR result.
Laura outside the WEBS building at the Parkville campus.
“I was incredibly excited, but I genuinely didn't know if I could accept it, because I didn't know if I could afford to go,” she shared.
It was at this critical juncture that Laura received a lifechanging call notifying her that she had become one of the University’s inaugural Narrm Scholars.
Thanks to the generous University community, The Narrm Scholarship Program enables high-achieving students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds to attend and succeed at the University of Melbourne.
The scholarship provides recipients with; a living and accommodation allowance throughout their entire undergraduate degree, access to the Narrm Scholars Enrichment Program to support students’ transition to university, plus a one-off relocation allowance for regional students.
Laura said that if it weren’t for the scholarship, she simply wouldn’t have been able to accept her offer to study at the University of Melbourne.
“The impact for me is unmeasurable – I can’t describe it, and I'm just incredibly grateful,” she said.
Discovering community
Now, with her first year of biomedicine nearly behind her, Laura said she has thoroughly enjoyed being in an academic setting.
“I think I've flourished in this environment with like-minded people. It's all I ever really craved,” she said.
But at first, Laura struggled adjusting to the new environment and at times felt like she didn’t belong.
“It was a very difficult change for me, and I really struggled to fit in in the first few weeks,” she said.
“When I moved into my college, I said to mum, ‘all of these people had five generations of their family come through here and I feel like the odd one out.’”
Laura having coffee with a friend on campus.
Thankfully, the Narrm Scholarship Enrichment Program went a long way in helping Laura find the connections she needed to thrive and feel a sense of belonging at the University.
“The Pre-Orientation Camp was really something that stood out to me – getting to meet other like-minded students and not feeling like a tiny fish in a big ocean,” she shared.
“My closest friend that I made on the camp, we come from very similar circumstances with similar family issues, and it’s just nice to have that person to talk to.”
Laura has also been able to live on campus, which has meant she can better utilise the many hours she would have otherwise spent commuting each day.
The extra time has contributed to Laura’s incredible achievement of First Class Honours for all her first semester subjects and helped her enjoy all that college life offers.
“If I hadn't had the scholarship, living on campus wouldn't have been a possibility, and I've gained so much from being part of that community,” said Laura.
“We just had a musical last week and I was in the set team as a stagehand. I'm also volunteering at Carlton Primary School each week, tutoring students in math and English after school.”
While the scholarship has opened doors for Laura from a financial perspective, it has also supported her in another vital way – by helping her feel valued by the University community.
“It’s great knowing there's people out there that want you to achieve, it makes you feel like someone cares.”
A better world
Beyond the impact that the scholarship has had on her own life, Laura knows that creating a more diverse student cohort will benefit the entire community.
“In life, to get the best outcomes, you need people with different opinions and perspectives. We all have something unique to bring to the play,” she explained.
“Creating diversity in the University community will make everyone a lot more socially aware and give them the knowledge and skills to navigate those challenges that we see in the world.”
Laura achieved First Class Honours for all her first semester Bachelor of Biomedicine subjects.
Laura hopes to contribute to solving the world’s challenges by helping disadvantaged communities access the same quality of medical care as more privileged cohorts in her future career.
“I would love to end up working in rural health and having an impact there,” she said.
“Coming from a rural area, I do have a bit of a perspective on the different impacts that demographics and social determinants can have on health and health outcomes.”
With a bright future to look forward to, Laura is grateful for all the opportunities that generous donors have brought to her own life, and in turn, the broader community.
“The scholarship has had such a meaningful impact on my life, but it also empowers me to have a meaningful impact on the world.”
Learn more about supporting the Narrm Scholarship Program.