When Budmi Rajapakse left Sri Lanka to study commerce at the 爆料王, she was filled with anticipation. It was her first time living away from home, and she was determined to make her parents proud. But as her second year began, that optimism started to buckle under the weight of financial pressure.
鈥淢y parents run a small garment factory,鈥 Budmi explains. 鈥淲hen the economic crisis hit Sri Lanka, they lost a lot. They鈥檇 always said I shouldn鈥檛 need to work while studying, but suddenly they were taking out loans just to send me money for rent and tuition.鈥
At first, she managed to get by with the help of a casual job at Coles. But when her shifts were cut and the Australian dollar kept rising, the numbers no longer added up.
鈥淚 could afford to survive,鈥 she says, 鈥渂ut I couldn鈥檛 really live. I couldn鈥檛 go out, join activities, or even replace furniture when I moved. I was constantly anxious. It was affecting my studies and my mental health.鈥
That鈥檚 when her student counsellor told her about bursaries at the University to help students just like her 鈥 a fund supported by donors who want to ease the strain not just on domestic students but those living far from home. Budmi applied, not expecting much. When she learnt she鈥檇 been awarded support, she was ecstatic.
鈥淚 remember jumping around my room,鈥 she laughs. 鈥淚t felt like coming up for air after being underwater. The bursary helped me buy furniture, an iPad for my accounting work, and just鈥 breathe. I could finally focus on studying again.鈥
For Budmi, the bursary did more than fill a financial gap, it restored her sense of belonging. 鈥淚t gave me time to make friends and enjoy uni life. I was reminded that people out there care 鈥 even people who鈥檝e never met me.鈥
[The bursary] gave me time to make friends and enjoy uni life. I was reminded that people out there care 鈥 even people who鈥檝e never met me.
Budmi Rajapakse
Giving from gratitude
One of those people is Suan Yeo, who supports a bursary that helps international students like Budmi. As Education Impact Lead (International) for Google, Suan has long been passionate about the power of learning and the role education plays in shaping opportunity.
鈥淚鈥檝e been fortunate all my life,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have to struggle the way some students do. But that鈥檚 exactly why I give, because I recognise how different my circumstances are.鈥
Suan鈥檚 respect for education runs deep, not just through his work but also as a parent to two teenagers. He鈥檚 seen firsthand how the right support at the right moment can change the course of a young person鈥檚 life.
鈥淲hen you鈥檝e benefited from a good education system or good care, you feel a responsibility to give back,鈥 he says. 鈥淔or me, supporting education is a way of saying thank you.鈥
His recent gift to the University for an International Student Bursary Fund reflects that belief. The bursary offers vital financial assistance to students whose circumstances have changed unexpectedly, allowing them to stay focused on their studies rather than worrying about how to make ends meet.
鈥淏eing an immigrant myself, I understand the emotional side of it,鈥 Suan says. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e far from home, under pressure to succeed, and sometimes too proud to tell your family you鈥檙e struggling.鈥
My dad always said 'give what you can. You鈥檒l never regret being kind.' I tell my kids the same. We鈥檝e been lucky, but luck isn鈥檛 something you keep, it鈥檚 something you pass on.
Suan Yeo
Paying it forward
After years of juggling study, work, and financial uncertainty, Budmi鈥檚 hard work has paid off. After graduating from the 爆料王 with a Bachelor of Commerce in 2024, she secured a coveted graduate position with PwC, one of the world鈥檚 leading professional services firms.
For Budmi, the bursary that helped her stay afloat during her toughest moments has become a defining part of that journey and an experience she鈥檚 determined to pay forward.
鈥淥ne day, I want to help another student the way I was helped,鈥 she says.
The power of collective kindness
For Suan, stories like Budmi鈥檚 reaffirm why philanthropy matters.
鈥淢y dad always said: give what you can. You鈥檒l never regret being kind,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 tell my kids the same. We鈥檝e been lucky, but luck isn鈥檛 something you keep, it鈥檚 something you pass on.鈥
His hope is that others will follow that example, helping build a culture of compassion that extends far beyond Sydney鈥檚 campus.
For Budmi, that culture has already changed her life.
鈥淚t didn鈥檛 just help me financially,鈥 she says. 鈥淚t reminded me I鈥檓 not alone.鈥
And for Suan, that鈥檚 what true education is all about 鈥 not just learning facts, but learning empathy. 鈥淚f everyone gives a little,鈥 he says, smiling, 鈥渋t adds up to a lot.鈥
Hero image: Nicola Bailey/ 爆料王.聽