For many rural and regional students in Australia, relocation for university isn’t a choice.
Via Edwards always knew she wanted to go to university but, growing up in the rural Victorian town of Cohuna, she wasn’t sure if this dream could become a reality.
Immigrating from the Philippines when she was only ten, she thought her struggles regarding moving and educational access were all behind her.
“I remember moving to Cohuna, and being so excited for school. I started envisioning what my future could look like in Australia.”
Ms Edwards said that when the time came to graduate high school and begin choosing universities, she was startled at the lack of courses offered nearby.
“I knew early on that I wanted to study architecture or building design, but the closest university hub was in Bendigo and they didn’t even offer those courses.”
“I had no choice but to move to Melbourne.”
Ms Edwards knew that this move would take an emotional and financial toll on her, as she would have to support herself in an unfamiliar place.
There can be many reasons why fewer country kids go onto uni, with the financial impact of leaving home and studying a key issue.
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