International scholarship holders heading home to help
From Palestine in the Middle East to Tonga in the Pacific, from Indonesia in Southeast Asia to Brazil in South America, this year's international scholarship holders come from across the globe.
This week, 61 students from 22 countries celebrated the completion of their international scholarships in a ceremony at the University of Sydney.
The students are the recipients of Australia Awards and Endeavour scholarships or the Indonesian Government’s Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) scholarship.
We spoke to three graduates about their experiences at the University of Sydney, and their plans for their return home.
Dipesh Khanal, Nepal
Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacy)
“I am from Nepal, the land of Mount Everest and the birth place of Gautama Buddha. Australia had always been my dream place since my early childhood days.
“I have a lot of plans after completing my PhD. I would like to establish a research institution back home in Nepal with the collaborative support of my supervisory team, universities and pharmaceutical and food industries in Nepal to conduct research in the area of toxicology and explore the potential of herbal plants for the treatment of liver cancer.”
Ketsada Soysouvanh, Laos
“Three years have already passed, but I feel like it was yesterday that I arrived at the University of Sydney. This experience has not always been a bed of roses, but it was indeed a great journey that I will always cherish. Every challenge and difficulty that I have encountered has gradually reinforced how I can become a better version of myself.”
Erika Bro, USA
Master of International Public Health
“The University of Sydney has fostered a powerful sense of global commitment and responsibility and facilitated a placement with the National Institute of Health in Timor-Leste as a component of my degree. The Faculty of Medicine is nothing short of inspiring, and the opportunities for professional development through attending conferences, working as a research assistant and language study through the Centre for Continuing Education have made my experience here something that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
