Jasmine Valcic is one step closer to making a difference in the world through international diplomacy after securing an elite scholarship thanks to the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan (NCP).
The Bachelor of International Relations / Bachelor of Laws Bondy is one of 120 students from 33 Australian universities to be awarded a New Colombo Plan Scholarship by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop MP.
In addition to ranking the highest scholar for her host location in Thailand, Jasmine was bestowed the honour of New Colombo Plan Thailand Fellow for 2018.
The NCP is a signature initiative of the Australian Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting young Australians to study and undertake Internships in the region.
Jasmine plans to use her NCP Scholarship to study at Mahidol University International College in eastern Thailand and hopes to intern at the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development in Bangkok, or Amnesty International Thailand.
Jasmine said she was thrilled to be able to pursue her passion for social justice and believed Thailand would be the perfect place to learn about international relations in Asia.
“Thailand, and specifically Bangkok, is an increasingly important location for international relations, with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific headquarters, as well as Amnesty International’s Thailand headquarters, based in Bangkok,” she said.
“An internship would provide me with an insider’s understanding of the intricacies of the real world of international relations.
“I believe the best way to boost personal growth is to be pushed out of your comfort zone. I did this initially by leaving my friends, family and safety network in Melbourne to attend Bond University.
“I have always learnt best with a hands-on approach, which was part of the reason I chose to attend Bond University.
“In an increasingly global and interconnected world, a fast-growing industry like tourism is vital to the prosperity of many countries, particularly in the Asian region, meaning tourism and hospitality law need to be dynamic in response.
“Crime is increasingly occurring across borders; these range from profit motivated activities such as smuggling and people trafficking to ideology or country sponsored crimes such as terrorism.
“This makes international crime and law enforcement more relevant than ever.
“I believe undertaking this program is the next step for me – embracing another culture and learning to live in a different way.”
Jasmine joins a growing list of New Colombo Plan Scholarship Bondies including alumnus Marryum Kahloon, and students Eve Bramley and Holli Sargeant.
For more information on the New Colombo Plan and scholarship program, click here.