AN EYE-opening volunteering experience in Laos and Cambodia helped 19-year-old Vanessa Gillam firm up her career ambition.
The Lilydale teenager is now a step closer to achieving her goal, after being awarded a prestigious scholarship to study at Bond University on the Gold Coast.
Vanessa graduated as school captain from Tintern Schools last year, is one of just 10 students from around Australia to be awarded a full-fee vice-chancellor’s scholarship to study at the private university.
She moved to the Gold Coast this month to embark on a double bachelor of journalism and bachelor of laws degree which she hopes will lead her to a career centred on helping the less fortunate.
“I am really interested in human rights law and I always wanted to be a news journalist, so the double degree puts me in good stead for both,” she said.
“Either way, I want to embark on a career that will benefit others.”
Vanessa said the volunteering experience in Cambodia and Laos, which she completed with a school group in December 2012, had been a life changing experience.
“We went for a month and it was honestly one of the best experiences of my life,” she said.
“The trip included two treks, we helped build an exterior toilet block at a school in Laos, taught English and played sport with the kids.
“The happiness of the kids there, even though they did not have much, was so great to see.
“I have a chance to have a great education and I want to use it to help others.”
Vanessa said the trip really made her want to explore the humanitarian side of law even more and journalism would be a opportunity to give a voice to people from all walks of life.
As school captain, Vanessa helped to raise money and awareness for various charities including Oaktree, driven by young people wanting to end world poverty, which she said also piqued her interest in humanitarian law.
She also raised money for the Heart Foundation and Leukaemia Foundation and participated in debate, public speaking and school musical and drama productions.
“I’ve just moved to the Gold Coast and love it.
“The lifestyle is fantastic, even though I know it won’t be this relaxed come exam time,” she said.
The vice-chancellor’s scholarships are Bond University’s longest standing and most prestigious scholarships, with students chosen based on their outstanding academic achievement, exemplary leadership and dedicated community achievements.
