Perth teenager Imogen Thomson has been awarded the prestigious Vynka Hohnen Scholarship to study at Bond University.
The Methodist Ladies’ College student will move to Queensland in 2013 to commence a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Bond University’s Gold Coast Campus.
Imogen said she is looking forward to starting her degree which will help her achieve her career goal of working as a doctor for the Red Cross.
“Having heard so many wonderful things about Bond, from past students and teachers alike, I have very high expectations of the academic and community life at Bond, both of which I can’t wait to be involved in,” says Imogen.
“I’m most excited, and at the same time nervous, about living away from home at the University, although this will be a very big change it is something that I have always wanted to do and can’t wait to experience,” she said.
The Vynka Hohnen Scholarship was established in memory of a Perth student who completed her law degree at Bond University in 1997. It is awarded annually to a West Australian school-leaver who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, community commitment and academic achievement.
As a perfect candidate for this award, in addition to Imogen’s outstanding grades, she has been awarded with multiple certificates of distinction in the Alliance Français French exams and participated in a Southern Cross Cultural Exchange to France.
Imogen has also spent time volunteering in Tanzania, which she says combines her love of helping people with her interests in medicine.
“During my time in Tanzania I worked in local hospitals and orphanages, and as a result of prior fundraising initiatives that I had organised I was able to donate many supplies,” explains Imogen.
“This experience also inspired me to continue my volunteer work locally, and led me to apply to be a Red Cross volunteer at a home for disabled children.
“Volunteering is always one of the highlights of my week and has furthered my desire to pursue an altruistic career such as medicine,” she said.
Imogen hopes to participate in Bond University’s exchange program and says she would love to study abroad in the future in order to continue her French studies and one day work with Médecins Sans Frontières in the French-speaking regions of Africa.