2022: SGHS pupil gains Immerse Education spot at Cambridge University

In Term 3 2021, I discovered an opportunity to study Medicine with Immerse at Cambridge University. I knew it was a match for me but “how do I get to it?” Then I learnt of the scholarships. So I tried. Late in 2021 I studied for NCEA plus submitted my application to Immerse and early this year I gained a partial scholarship.

Then I was faced with the question of “How do I get from Invercargill NZ to Cambridge, England?” because my family, like so many others, don’t have the ability to come up with $14,841 for the remaining course fees and two airfares with only a few weeks' notice. I applied to community funders. I wrote letters to private companies and I was turned away because I was an individual. I then spoke to people in my community who I hoped would understand what I had achieved and want me to be there as much as I wanted to attend. They did and they spoke to some people and like wheels in motion a new path opened.

I was hesitant to go public and speak to a reporter because although I knew my story of what I had achieved and wanted to achieve was a great thing, I was asking for help and I know so many people need financial help. It also meant telling whoever was reading that my family couldn’t come up with at least $10K in a few weeks.