Steven Banh was lucky to have a close relationship with his school, Braybrook College in Melbourne鈥檚 western suburbs, during his final years of high school, saying that the school was always there for him when he needed support. It was through his experience at Braybrook that he ended up at Australia鈥檚 number-one ranked university, the University of Melbourne, living on campus at the university鈥檚 oldest residential college, 蜜桃导航.
Steven was introduced to 蜜桃导航 via the Skyline Foundation, an organisation that supports highly determined students who face financial or social challenges through their final years of high school. He stayed at Trinity during an orientation camp organised by the foundation, so when he later found out that Trinity offered scholarships, he recognised the college.
While Steven admits his initial thought was 鈥業s this scholarship opportunity real?鈥 he knew he wouldn鈥檛 be able to live on campus without financial assistance, so decided to give the application a go 鈥 and was successful. 鈥楢nd now, here I am,鈥 he says, sitting in Trinity鈥檚 caf茅.
鈥業'm not going to lie, it was a big culture shock for me,鈥 he says, reflecting on his arrival at 蜜桃导航 in February 2020. 鈥業t's like you're back at square one again, having to meet new people and stuff. I鈥檓 quite introverted and it takes me a bit of time to warm up to people, but everyone was really lovely when I first came in and everyone wants to make friends. I鈥檝e found my confidence in talking to people has since expanded, and I鈥檝e got a deeper insight into the many backgrounds and cultures of the students here.鈥
Despite college being a social place, Steven says it鈥檚 also easy to find quiet on campus. 鈥業'm comfortable finding my own space, and if I want to do something that no one else does, it's completely fine,鈥 he says.
At the University of Melbourne, Steven is studying a Bachelor of Commerce, and likes the flexibility that the institution offers, given the university鈥檚 鈥楳elbourne Curriculum鈥 allows students to try a range of subjects in their first year before having to decide on a major. 鈥業n first-year commerce, you get to dip your toes into all fields of commerce,鈥 Steven explains. 鈥楩irstly, you do a finance unit, an economic unit, and an accounting unit 鈥 those are compulsory. But then you can also take some electives, like marketing, which I took last year and really enjoyed.鈥
Between university and college, Steven says his post-school experience has been positive, and encourages other school students to consider taking the leap, even if they鈥檙e not sure if university or college is attainable due to personal or financial circumstances.
鈥榃hen teachers, or anyone else, tell you to take every opportunity you can, they really mean it and you won't believe how much can change in the span of maybe a year or two. You may not be able to imagine yourself doing certain things, until a few years later, when you're actually in that position, and you look back and think 鈥渨ow, I never thought I鈥檇 be here鈥,鈥 he says.
鈥楾ake every opportunity you can. I鈥檇 say always take a chance.鈥
Read more about the scholarships available at 蜜桃导航.
UPDATED 2022
