University became a second home, complete with second family, says Leonie Tan.
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“Almost four years ago I timidly entered the hallway of the University of Wollongong's regional campus in Batemans Bay,” she said.
“It has been like a home. When you’re doing a degree, you’re basically married to your study. Being at our uni is awesome, because you have your own networks and your own friends, and they become your family.”
Ms Tan recently graduated with first-class honours, in a Bachelor of Arts degree.
“I wanted to learn more about the original owners of Australia, so I did my honours looking at historic representations of Aboriginal suicide,” she said.
“It’s such a huge contemporary problem, I wanted to see when it started. It’s work that I think has merit.
“There’s a lot of research that suggests it didn’t have cultural historic precedent.”
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Ms Tan hopes to begin her PhD in 2020, and recommends university for anyone with a love of learning.
“I always wanted to go to university, there’s so much to learn,” she said.
“It has been a place where I have come alive, my brain shifting into gears unused, rekindling a forgotten curiosity and desire to learn, and I have loved it all.”
She said study was not without its challenges – but they were all worthwhile.
“Even the times where I felt broken and dejected and consumed with self doubt … these (were) overshadowed by all the positives,” she said.
“It has been a great adventure.
“To all the people who have been part of this wonderful journey, thank you.”