Shahrnaz Rafi

July / August Update

 

I had heard about Peace Scholarship Program when I was at the 2nd year of my university, and from the very beginning I had made up my mind to go for it. As I met all the criteria to be eligible for this educational opportunity which is not offered in my own home country, I got the chance to commit myself to be a Master of Law.

 

Finally, I arrived in Sydney (one of my favorite listed cities in the world) on 27th June, 2008. I arrived one month before my semester's commencement and I was supposed to come on 6th July. That happened because I was not able to catch a proper direct flight on the due date. By the way before moving ahead I want to mention that I have been very lucky to have my husband as well with me in this adventurous trip.

 

My scholarship sponsor is UNIFEM - Australia, and the implementing partner is IDP.  We were picked by Kathryn Davis (UNIFEM) from Sydney Airport and were hosted in a very beautiful hotel for the first two nights. Later on we moved to Turramura to stay with a very lovely Australian lady (Julie Antill) who hosted us in her beautiful house for one month.

 

July was the beginning of new life and new changes for me. I was trying to settle well with my husband and get familiar with the transport usage system in here with addresses and people around. As Sydney is a huge city, getting from one area to another is similar to getting from one city to another city in my country. Also experiencing winter in Sydney is very much similar to my country's spring, which is why I found the weather quite pleasant, though sometimes it has freezing wind but still fresh weather and greenery has made it a different winter to experience.

We were also lucky to have some of my husband's relatives in Sydney who came to host us several times and supported us to settle well.

 

I met all the other Peace Scholars at the Orientation Day, and found some of them good people; some of them totally different in terms of cultural aspects to us and Some were very friendly. We really really enjoyed two days of the Orientation program and have saved its memory in pictures. Apart from the times when it comes for us to realize that our government is not able to support us and so we have to raise money for one, two or maximum three girls / per year to get benefit of such opportunities, otherwise it is rare for our people to afford the tuition fee and study overseas. Hope one day all those.... that are benefiting from keeping the conflict alive in my country leave us alone so that we also reach the level of life standard, economical welfare and development to compete with the world!  

At the end of July I also had my University’s (University of Technology Sydney) orientation program for the whole one week, although I chose to attend some important ones.

 

July was full of difference and new experiences for me and my husband but the only issue which kept us concerned was my husband's Employment in Sydney.
 
  • Afghanistan 2008/09 (PGrad)
  • University of Technology, Sydney
  • Sponsored by UNIFEM Australia
The Peace Scholarship Program is an initiative of IDP Education Australia Limited (ACN: 008 597 831). A wholly owned subsidiary company of IDP Education Australia Limited, Education Australia (International Enterprises) Pty Ltd (ACN:089 228 053) is the trustee of both Trusts facilitating the Peace Scholarship Program – the Peace Scholarship Trust and the Peace Scholarship Program Trust. The composition of the Board of Directors of the Trustee Company complies with relevant government legislation and regulations. The Peace Scholarship Trust has the necessary Fundraiser and/or charitable collection registration where required under Australian state or territory legislation. The Australian Taxation Office has endorsed ‘The Trustee for the Peace Scholarship Trust’ (ABN: 85 931 859 523) as a Deductible Gift Recipient.