LOCAL student Emily Mitchell is one of 66 students across the state to be awarded a Royal Agricultural Society Foundation (RASF) Rural Scholarship to help her with tertiary studies.

Emily graduated from Saint John Paul College in Coffs Harbour last year and submitted a written application to the RASF, which then led to a telephone interview which covered her study plans and future career aspirations.

Currently in the first year of her Bachelor of Psychology degree at the University of NSW, Emily hopes to move on to the Honours course and if successful pursue her Master’s degree, enabling her to become a registered practising Psychologist in the future.

The $6000 scholarship has allowed Emily to follow her dream, which would have otherwise been out of reach for her financially.

“I am so grateful to the RASF for this support, without it I wouldn’t have been able to afford a place to live and be able to commit to my studies full time,” she said.

With no family or connections in Sydney, Emily has secured accommodation on campus and has settled into a busy routine of study and being active on voluntary event subcommittees including Save The Children Action Group and Women in Science Society.

As a volunteer ARC Wellness Warrior, she is also able to use the skills that she is learning in her courses to help other students with mental health and wellness issues.

At the end of her studies Emily says she, “Would like to return to Coffs Harbour or another regional environment to practice as a Psychologist dealing with youth and young people, particularly in the areas of trauma and complex grief, which would be my way of giving back to regional communities.”

Applications for the 2022 RASF Rural Scholarships program and 2022 RASF VET Scholarships open July 01, 2021.

For further information, please visit www.rasf.org.au.

 

By David TUNE