CEFA news
ACT University Experience a Huge Success
The Country Education Foundation of Australia has implemented a pilot aspiration enhancement program in the ACT thanks to the generosity of CEFA’s Education Partners the University of Canberra (UC) and the Australian National University (ANU) as well as our newest sponsor the Origin Foundation.
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Forty-two students from years 9 and 10 took part in the first four-day ACT University Experience in July. The Cowra, Cootamundra, Deniliquin, Lockhart and Coleambally high school students, some of whom had never travelled to Canberra, enjoyed a range of activities where they were able to experience university and city life first-hand. Participants enjoyed tours of the colleges and campuses, took part in faculty workshops and lectures and met with current university students. There was even a scavenger hunt and outdoor ice-skating at Garema Place as well as paper-plane throwing contests and group acting competitions at a UC restaurant. Karen-Louise Spiers from Coleambally Central School said her favourite part of the trip was “meeting new people and experiencing ice-skating for the first time.” She said “it was a great way to get to know other students from different schools.” A tour of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) was another highlight of the program where students were able to meet athletes and eat at the sporting institute’s cafeteria. “I really enjoyed Canberra, but going to the AIS was the most exciting. We got to have a look around and met some athletes from different sports. Canberra was an amazing experience and shouldn’t be missed,” said Tara Kelly from Cootamundra High School. The ACT University Experience Program was a great opportunity for rural students to move outside their comfort zones in a supportive environment and to explore the realms of possibilities open to them in studying or training once they finish school. |
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“I really enjoyed the ACT University Experience program run by the Country Education Foundation of Australia because it showed us what uni life can be like even if you come from country towns,” explained Bree Hummelstad from Cootamundra.
A key part of the program was the information gained by the participants about the financial assistance and support options available to help them achieve their post high school educational goals. Both ANU and UC were able to demonstrate to students the potential for scholarships, funding arrangements, mentoring and affordable accommodation.
As Starr Cartledge of Coleambally Central School said “If you aren’t sure where you want to go after school, uni or TAFE, this is a great trip to get a bit more of an idea of the opportunities out there.”
CEFA is incredibly grateful to the University of Canberra, the Australian National University and to the Origin Foundation for their support and for making such a worthwhile program possible for rural youth.
