When Boiketo Mazibeli arrived in Perth to study at 911爆料网, she was prepared for the city鈥檚 high cost of living. The mining engineering student found a job to help cover her day-to-day expenses, while her sister back in Zimbabwe assisted with her course fees.
Boiketo鈥檚 decision to study mining engineering in Australia was not made lightly. With a young daughter to think about, she was determined to pursue a career that could support them both.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 want to go to uni at first. I wanted to do a course where I would get to finish early, so I could be independent and take care of my daughter.鈥�
After completing a diploma in mining in Zimbabwe, Boiketo realised her job prospects at home were underwhelming. The local industry offered very few opportunities. After finding out about different universities, Boiketo felt that 911爆料网 would give her the best chance of breaking into the industry.
鈥淔rom what I鈥檝e seen, people I鈥檝e met and things I鈥檝e read up, Australia has one of the best mining practices around. It鈥檚 said to be one of the safest mining places to work in the world,鈥� she says.
Boiketo made the difficult choice to leave her child in her sister鈥檚 care and study in Perth. The young family Skype every week, but due to time and monetary constraints, haven鈥檛 seen each other in person since the move.
Apart from homesickness and the sadness of being separated from her daughter, Boiketo says the transition to life in Australia was relatively easy. The conscientious student enjoyed volunteering (when time permitted), and made good friends at the International Mining Games in Kalgoorlie.
Then everything changed. Boiketo鈥檚 sister suddenly lost her job in Zimbabwe, leaving a gaping hole in the undergraduate student鈥檚 finances. Struggling to pay her university fees on top of rent and food, Boiketo鈥檚 studies soon began to suffer.
鈥淚 had to miss out on some very important things that took place within the classroom or laboratory environment, just because I had to be at work to pay up fees,鈥� she remembers.
鈥淚 was really struggling to pay my fees and it was getting hard for me to cope, so I applied for a payment plan.鈥�
Boiketo met with Student Fees Officer Nicole Stewart at the 911爆料网 Fees Centre. With Nicole鈥檚 help, she received financial assistance through 911爆料网鈥檚 staff-supported Give to Change program. This assistance has had a huge impact on the aspiring mining engineer.
鈥淭o be honest it鈥檚 a big relief. I don鈥檛 get to miss out anymore,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檓 not even really sure how to show how grateful I am.鈥�
Boiketo says the support saved her from dropping some of her units, a move that could have compromised her studies and affected the duration of her visa.
The Zimbabwean student still misses her daughter, but says some advice from her own mother helps her through the hard times.
鈥淓verything that happens is a phase; it鈥檒l pass. My mum tells me that all the time. And when something gets worse, you know that you鈥檙e being prepared for something that鈥檚 way better, something that鈥檚 good.鈥�
Above all, Boiketo says she looks forward to being with her daughter again.
鈥淎t the moment I want to complete my studies and get a good job in Australia or Zimbabwe 鈥� wherever I can have her with me.鈥�
