Scholarship helps asylum seeker
Rozita's lifelong dream was to become a doctor.
Now in her sixth year of medicine at James Cook University (JCU), that dream is soon to become a reality but that wouldn’t have been the case without the AMA Queensland Foundation Scholarship.
Without the scholarship Rozita, a former asylum seeker from Iran, would never have been able to afford to start her medical studies as her status means she is considered an international student, which means she has to pay international fees.
The scholarship, combined with JCU and family support as well as a casual job at the university, helped Rozita fund her studies for the past five years.
“I never would have been able to start without the scholarship and support from JCU,” Rozita said.
“Once I graduate as a doctor I really want to repay that faith in me and do something to help the disadvantaged in the community. I think that would be very fulfilling.”
Rozita said as was the case for most people, 2020 had been a challenging year, so it was good to know she had the support of the scholarship which allowed her to focus on her studies.
“Last year I completed six different rotations at Townsville University Hospital and each day was a rewarding experience,” she said.
“I’ve learned so many things and one of the most important was that the key to any successful doctor patient relationship is the ability to establish rapport with patients.”
Rozita plans to spend 2021 broadening to her medical knowledge with her main goal to learn more of the professional behaviour required for a doctor and enhancing her knowledge of medical ethics as much as she can before she starts working as an intern in 2022.
“The scholarship has truly been a blessing in my life. It has been helping me to afford tuition fees of the university and it has given me the opportunity to follow my dream of becoming a doctor.”
The AMA Queensland Foundation Scholarships are now open to assist financially disadvantaged medical students to study the MBBS course or equivalent at a Queensland university.
The scholarship provides a one-off award of $5,000 paid in two equal instalments with up to two scholarships awarded per year.
Applications close 5.00pm 12 February 2020.