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I grew up in Myanmar, and when I was 18, the elected government was overthrown by the military.

I had been accepted into university already, but then everything got shut down.

My name's Jey, and I'm in my second year of a Bachelor of Design in Interior Architecture at UTS, and I'm particularly interested in film and TV production design.

Coming to Australia at 19 was both exciting and challenging at the same time. I knew I wanted to go to university because I really craved knowledge, and I just really wanted to keep learning and growing both academically as well as personally.

And then I found UTS, and immediately, from the first semester, I thought: this is exactly where I need to be.

But going to university full time is difficult for anyone who is also supporting themselves financially.

I came here on my own without my parents, so I also didn't have much of a financial safety net.

For me, getting a scholarship made it possible.

My scholarship meant that I could buy all the course-related supplies, whether that's like printing or laser cutting, 3D softwares or building materials and still be able to afford my living expenses.

But on top of that, what it actually gave me was mental space. It gave me space to experiment and create something that I'm really proud of.
It meant that I could channel all my energy and time and ideas into my work to build a future for myself, and when you're constantly stressed financially, you can't really afford to do that.

My dream is very simple. I just want to be surrounded and supported by a community of people who I love and who love me.

Professionally though, I want to contribute to something larger than myself and be proud of the part I play in it, and I want to do it over and over again.

It blows me away to know that people think my potential is worth backing. I truly wish more students had the opportunity to build the futures that they imagine.