Umanda saw a huge transformation in herself during her studies in the Bachelor of Community Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs. She started as a quiet student, but her teachers and peers helped her to come out of her shell. Umanda is now confident and ready to begin a career in child protection or family violence prevention.Umanda lived with family violence for 18 years, which was the main reason she wanted to study this course. Her end goal is to become a counsellor and go on to study a master’s in counselling.

She secured two highly competitive placements: one with La Trobe Community Health Services and another with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. In her child protection placement, she applied her theoretical knowledge to real-life scenarios.

As an international student, Umanda worked in a café and as a medical receptionist to pay for her college fees and support herself.

One of the obstacles Umanda faced was the distance she needed to travel to attend classes. With dedication, and without complaint, she took public transport to travel 100 kilometres each way to her classes.

Umanda consistently demonstrated strong academic skills, attending every class and achieving a high distinction average. Her classmates often asked her for help or to join them on group tasks. Her friendly nature and quiet self-assurance will serve her well as a community worker.

Umanda always made time for her classes and study on top of her work and community commitments. Some members of her church were aware that she was studying mental health and came to her for advice. She also helped her church with social media promotion.

Umanda is the winner of the 2025 Chisholm Education Awards Higher Education Student of the Year – International.

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