Media releases

Bridie Sterling, a 27-year-old student in her third year of a Bachelor of Community and Human Services at Federation University Australia, is set to put her passion for society and community into action as she prepares to venture to India next year.  

"I found my passion studying society and community in my arts degree and felt that I could put these skills into practice through a degree in community and human services. My life experiences also shaped the interest I have in this field," Bridie said.  

Bridie's dedication and commitment have been recognised through her selection for the prestigious New Colombo Plan (NCP) scholarship, one of six Federation students who received this prestigious honour for 2024.  

The New Colombo Plan is a signature initiative of the Australian Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to study and undertake internships in the region. 

As part of her program, Bridie will be completing her study component in Mumbai, India, at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences for six months and is currently exploring internship options. She chose India as her base due to its diverse and complex social landscape, which presents a range of social issues beyond the scope of practice in Australia. 

"India has the highest number of skilled migrations to Australia, so it is an invaluable experience to be able to strengthen person-to-person ties between India and Australia and to have a deeper understanding of Indian culture to bring back to practice in Australia,” she said. 

While Bridie admits to feeling nervous about being alone in a foreign country for six months, she believes that the resilience and adaptability she will develop as a result will greatly benefit her career and personal growth. She also sees this experience as integral to her development as a community worker, as exposure to a variety of cultures is essential for a well-rounded practice perspective. 

Looking ahead, Bridie hopes to work within a community NGO in the future, furthering her commitment to making a positive impact on society. 

The New Colombo Plan scholarship recipients recently underwent training in Canberra, which proved to be an invaluable experience. The training provided them with knowledge and insight into cultural sensitivity, network building, and strengthened the community of 2024 scholars. 

To learn more about a Bachelor of Community and Human Services, head here https://study.federation.edu.au/course/DHC5 and to learn more about the New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program, head here https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/new-colombo-plan/new-colombo-plan-scholarship-program 

Quote attributable to Federation University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global and Engagement), Carolyn Chong 

“The New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship program is a fantastic initiative which gives high-achieving students real life experience in working towards their future employment goals.” 

“These scholarships provide our students the opportunity to help share our university’s commitment to transform lives and enhance communities on the international stage.”