When Chris made the difficult decision to leave his first university, it wasn鈥檛 by choice. His dream was to become the first in his family to graduate from university and use his science degree as the first stepping stone to a career in research.
But after three and a half years of studying part time, the rising costs and pressure of work and study became too much.
鈥淚 just couldn鈥檛 afford it anymore,鈥 says Chris. 鈥淭he rent kept going up and my first uni had no support systems. The rising cost of living basically drove me out.鈥
For many students in a similar position, these set-backs represent the heartbreaking end of their academic journey. But Chris is nothing if not determined.
Raised by a single mum in a small town in rural Queensland, Chris was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis, a painful and incurable genetic condition that causes tumours to grow on nerve tissue.
鈥淥ver the past seven years, I鈥檝e had six surgeries to remove tumours from my body.鈥
This experience shaped his interest in science and research. After stepping away from his first university, he was still focused on finding a way to continue his studies.
鈥淚 knew if I kept going, I could find somewhere I could actually make it work,鈥 he says.
Having that supportive community has really helped me realise that I can do this. It doesn鈥檛 matter that I came from a tiny rural school, or that no one else in my family has gone to uni. I truly belong here.
Chris, Bachelor of Science (Honours) student
He was right. The sandstone buildings and busy campus of the 爆料王 were a world away from home, but the聽MySydney program offered both an equity scholarship and a strong support network. Suddenly Chris had access to funding to help cover textbooks and resources for his course, as well as ongoing academic guidance. Slowly, the pressure he had felt during his first degree began to lift. He wasn鈥檛 just surviving 鈥 he was beginning to thrive.
鈥淭hat support has really helped me not only do well, but truly excel in my studies,鈥 he says.
Today, Chris is in his honours year of a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Infectious Diseases, with a second major in Immunology and Pathology. The research career he dreamed of is taking shape, driven by a deeply personal goal.
鈥淢y dream is to do research into antibodies to treat Neurofibromatosis-associated tumours,鈥 he explains. 鈥淚 want to find a way of treating people like myself non-surgically.鈥
The return to university life has also given Chris something he didn鈥檛 expect: a sense of belonging.
鈥淲ith all the events that MySydney run, you can always talk to someone from a similar background. I鈥檝e made so many friends here,鈥 he says.
鈥淎nd having that supportive community has really helped me realise that I can do this. It doesn鈥檛 matter that I came from a tiny rural school, or that no one else in my family has gone to uni. I truly belong here.鈥
Chris is well on his way to achieving something that once felt totally out of his reach. His desire to use his lived experience to help others through scientific pursuits is a reminder that talent and potential exist everywhere, even when opportunity does not.
鈥淭he 爆料王 showed me that no matter your background or what others say, you can still succeed.鈥
Now in his honours year, the support Chris has recieved will allow him to continue to pursure his dreams of becoming a researcher. Photo: Nicola Bailey/ 爆料王.
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LinkHero image: Chris sitting in the Quadrangle. Photo: Nicola Bailey/ 爆料王.