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Student gains scholarship to study overseas
A woman who enrolled at the University of the Sunshine Coast seeking a career change after 23 years working in law has been awarded an $8,000 scholarship to study design in Germany.
“I didn’t think I had an artistic bone in my body until I took a graphic design elective as part of my USC Bachelor of Social Science,” said former paralegal Rosalie Maguire, 41, of Pomona.
“I started the degree because friends said I’d make a good counsellor and I wanted to help people, but then I found this passion and flair for design.”
Rosalie is now studying design and creative writing courses after switching to a Bachelor of Arts, which she is due to finish in 2010.
USC Senior Lecturer in Art and Design Kevin Todd said Rosalie’s grade point average of 6.2 out of 7, in addition to her enthusiasm and dedication, had made her scholarship application stand out.
“That’s one of the great things about USC,” Mr Todd said. “Many introductory courses are open to students in unrelated degrees. I regularly teach business students who just give it a go and they turn out to be really good designers.”
Rosalie will become the first USC student to spend a semester at the Design Department of the University of Applied Science, Augsburg, Germany.
USC’s International Office and the German university co-operated to offer the scholarship for study between February and July next year. It comprises $3,000 towards travel plus a monthly allowance of Euro 600 (about A$1,000) over five months.
Rosalie, who moved to the Sunshine Coast from New Zealand 12 years ago with her now 16-year-old daughter, said she was overwhelmed by the opportunity.
“I’m really excited because I’ve done it hard for a long time, working full-time while caring for a child by myself,” she said.“It will be wonderful to travel while earning credit towards my USC degree. I’ve never been to Europe and I hope it will open more career doors for me.”
— Julie Gatehouse