Send Nicole to Australia

What Do I Want To Do?

I have dreamed of travelling since my first trip as a child. I have personally funded my exploration of Italy, France, parts of Michigan, and all over Ontario. Having finished my diploma at Georgian College, my next goal is to obtain my degree. Australia has been a dream destination of mine for ages. Two years ago I was accepted to Griffith University - Gold Coast Campus in Australia. I was set to go for February 2014, however my help with funding fell through. This set me to working even harder so that I can attend in February 2015.

How Have I Prepared?

After I graduated from the Business Administration - Automotive Marketing three year program at Georgian College I applied for every graduate scholarship that I could find. I was awarded $5500 from the generous sponsors of the program. That money is sitting in an account slowly growing to help pay my almost $11,000 deposit. 

For close to a year now I have been working a full time job and a part time job that allows me to contribute about $500 a month to my education fund. I live on a strict budget to allow myself to save more, and I have spoken to multiple financial advisors to put myself in the best possible position.

Why Help Me?

Being an international student is very expensive - the tuition for one semester is about five times what I paid each semester to earn my diploma. My total cost for going to Australia for a year is somewhere near the $50,000 mark. I am a very determined young woman. When I have a goal I will not let anything stand in my way. I paid for all three years of my diploma program at Georgian College on my own, and while I save I am also paying back my current OSAP loans.

Although I work two jobs, I also find time to be a Girl Guide leader. At this point in my life I cannot offer financial support to causes that are close to my heart, but I can offer my time. I believe that time is one of the most valuable things a person can offer, and programs like Girl Guides help to raise the kind of people who can make a difference in the world and change things for the better.

By helping me with this portion of savings for my education you could help me to gain an amazing life experience. Griffith has thousands of international students, and this would give me a chance to learn about some other cultures, as well as myself. I will be there for an entire year by myself. It will help me to grow, learn, and understand how things work in a different country.

I still intend to work, as a student visa in Australia allows me part-time hours. I also intend to make contact with the Girl Guides association in Australia so that I can see how things are done on another continent and share with them my experiences in Canadian Guiding. I would also like to participate in the equestrian community in Australia, as here at home it is one of my passions.

What Can I Offer You?

I do not have a lot that I can offer in exchange for your generosity, but what I can do is share my experiences with you. When I am closer to making my appearance in Australia I will set up a blog where I will post pictures and write of my experiences. I wish to explore and travel whenever possible, and the least I could do is share those experiences with you!