Drive to succeed earns scholarship recipient a place in her dream university course

Leaving your home of 16 years and adjusting to a new life is challenging.

This was Marella’s reality when she moved away from Syria in 2017 due to civil war. Her journey to completing Year 12 with an outstanding ATAR of 98.20 had challenges, but her positive outlook and the support of those close to her helped her embrace a new life in Australia.

“I was surrounded by amazing people from all around. That doesn’t mean everyone I met was nice, but I chose to see the best in people. (Still trying to cope with Melbourne’s weather to be honest).”
Marella discovered a welcoming community at her English language school. She describes her time at Western English Language School (WELS) as the “first step into proving myself to the community around me.”

WELS, believing in Marella’s potential, fought for her place in high school after she was initially rejected. This was only one hurdle she’d have to face.

“On one occasion someone told me I wasn’t good enough for VCE and I should move to TAFE. I was 18 years old at that time. I didn’t give up as I saw the faith my language school had in me. I’m also not the kind of person who gives up easily.”
Marella dedicated her last two years of high school to proving she was worth the fight: “I thought if I kept my eyes on my dream, I’d eventually reach it. And so I did. I was motivated by the support given by people around me.”
One of these supporters was Western Chances: “My Western Chances scholarship made me believe in myself and gave me self-esteem. Yes, the money helped me a lot in providing resources to help me succeed, but the more amazing aspect was the continuous support I was given by them… just being a Western Chances recipient feels special to me.”

Western Chances also connected Marella to a Mary Jane Lewis scholarship. Due to her visa status she has to pay upfront Uni fees of $9,500 a year. The scholarship, which is valued at $10,000 a year for three years helps her pay her fees and other essential items. “I didn’t think I would get such a thing until I read Anne’s email, telling me that I was an outstanding candidate… their encouraging words as well as the support from behind the scenes made it more possible for me to get it.”
Her successful ATAR, which ranks Marella in the top 2% of the state, proves that believing in yourself is an important key to success. “Eventually, I finished Year 12, which proved to that person they were wrong to assume someone was not good enough based only on a small test. So, to anyone reading my story, don’t let anyone underestimate you. No one is allowed to make you feel bad about yourself.”

Marella also has a passion for singing and has performed at many local events. She describes performing in public as one of the biggest achievements of her life. She honed her craft by studying VCE music: “I was trained by one of the best teachers and singers who made me believe in myself and gave me the courage to stand on that stage and own it.”

She was also given the chance to develop her leadership skills and singing at the Trinity College Young Leaders Program Western Chances sent her to: “A day that feels extra special to me, was when I performed a song on the very last day of the program representing my language and my culture.”

Marella is now starting her Bachelor of Engineering at Swinburne University, majoring in Software – placing her on the path to achieving her big dream.
“I think witnessing what happened in Syria, and experiencing going backwards instead of forward, with no electricity and no internet for almost a year, made me realise how precious technology is and how much easier it has made our lives.”
“I plan on finishing my degree, perhaps opening my own company, and giving back to the country that gave me a lot (Australia). I think part of me will also always dream about going back to Syria and helping to rebuild it with the knowledge I’ve gained.”