For Luiz Augusto Duarte de Araújo, moving to Sydney to study feels like "an impossible dream".
Thanks to the Sydney International Equity Scholarship, worth up to $150,000 a year, he has commenced a Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts at the University of Sydney – a world away from the Brazilian favela where he grew up.
Growing up in the favela
As a child in Rio de Janeiro, Luiz would often look out the window of his home to see drug dealers counting their takings in the alleyway outside.
"The boys who grow up in the favela don’t usually go to university," said Luiz, now 24. "It’s more likely they get into a life of crime. I’ve lost friends to gang warfare. One of my best childhood friends was killed. I saw his mother crying and suffering. I swore I’d never let my mum feel that way."
He credits his mother for his education and work ethic. She never finished high school and raised him alone after his father left the family. She supported them by working as a waitress and cleaner in a bar, where she eventually became manager. She secured a place for Luiz at Solar Meninos de Luz, a philanthropic school for children in the favela.
"My mum is my idol," Luiz said. "She’s the reason I work and study so hard. I try to make her proud."
Every one of these scholars has the ability to break the poverty cycle for their families ... and work for a bright future.
Professor Mark Scott
Vice-Chancellor and President
A life-changing scholarship for international students
Luiz Augusto Duarte de Araújo is one of three Sydney International Equity Scholars starting at the University of Sydney this semester. Photo credit: The University of Sydney/Rodrigo Oliveira
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LinkLuiz is one of three Sydney International Equity Scholars starting postgraduate study at the University of Sydney this semester, joining 14 who have already commenced their degrees. The scholarship supports international students from disadvantaged backgrounds in countries such as Myanmar, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Romania and Mongolia. A further five scholarship students are due to begin their studies in Sydney next year.
"Every one of these scholars has the ability to break the poverty cycle for their families, inspire their communities and work for a bright future," said the University of Sydney’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Mark Scott. "They’re outstanding students and we feel privileged to have them as part of our community.
"Alongside the domestic MySydney Scholarship program, this scholarship is helping talented students realise their potential, wherever they’ve come from and whatever obstacles they face."
Partnerships for change
The scholarship is awarded in collaboration with international non-profit organisations focused on alleviating poverty through education. Candidates recommended by these partners are assessed on academic merit, financial need and a personal statement. The University funds full tuition, return flights to Australia, visa application fees, health cover, a living allowance, textbooks and on-campus accommodation at St Paul’s College.
In Brazil, the University has partnered with EduMais, an organisation that supported Luiz through school and his undergraduate degree at PUC-Rio. EduMais works with Solar school to offer lessons in English, entrepreneurship and employability skills.
Founder and director of EduMais, Diana Nijboer, said the organisation was proud to collaborate with the University. "We feel grateful to have contributed to Luiz’s foundation and growth, helping to prepare him academically for this next exciting chapter," she said.
Looking forward and giving back
After completing his degree, Luiz hopes to work with interaction design and emerging technologies. "Our world is facing a lot of transformation, particularly with AI, and I’d love to be at the frontline of that change," he said. "I want to go back to Brazil and share the knowledge and experience from my time in Sydney with my community."
He is settling into his studies and has joined the St Paul’s soccer team. "Football has always been part of my life," he said. "In the favela, we didn’t have much, but as long as we had a can or something we could make into a ball, we could be very happy."
Luiz Augusto Duarte de Araújo grew up in Pavão-Pavãozinho, a favela in Rio de Janeiro. Photo credit: The University of Sydney/Rodrigo Oliveira
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LinkHero image credit: The University of Sydney/Rodrigo Oliveira
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