Celebrating National Refugee Week at Mater Education

This National Refugee Week, Mater Education shines the spotlight on all of our refugee students who are pursuing a career in healthcare. 

Agel Lual is in her first semester of Mater Education's 18-month Diploma of Nursing and dreams of becoming a midwife, just like her mum was.

The 20 year old, the youngest of eight children, was born in South Sudan and was raised in a refugee camp in Egypt with her family. 

Agel moved to Tasmania before settling down in Brisbane in 2006 where she's lived ever since. 

"We moved to Australia for safety - my mum grew up in unsafe conditions and she wanted us to receive a good education and a different childhood than she did," Agel said.

Motivated by her passion for helping others, Agel applied to study nursing with Mater Education at the end of last year and started in January.

"I applied for the refugee scholarship and I was head over heels when I got it, I was so happy," she said. 

"It helps with uniforms, textbooks, fees and gives me that extra support."

Agel, whose sister is also a nurse in aged care, would like to work in the maternity space long-term. 

"I'd like to work as an Enrolled Nurse for a bit and then jump into more studies - I'd like to do a double degree in Nursing and Midwifery," she said. 

"The start of life has always interested me and I'd like to follow in the footsteps of my mum who was a midwife back home."

Agel encouraged other people from a refugee background to put their hat in the ring for the Refugee Scholarship when applying for the Diploma of Nursing.   

"I'd say if you fall into the categories to go for it - it's a very big help for those who need it."

To apply for Refugee Scholarship for the next intake of the Diploma of Nursing, click here: https://mater.li/RefugeeScholarship