Alejandra was attracted to further study Bachelor of Community Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs because Chisholm’s course covered such a broad range of topics in the community mental health space, including counselling, mental health practices, community development and client advocacy. Alejandra also wanted to learn about the Australian approach to community welfare and AOD support services. 

As an International Student, Alejandra set out to do her best and make her family proud.  She was rewarded for her hard work by her teachers, who nominated her for International Student of the Year in the annual Chisholm Awards for 2024. A natural leader, her lecturers picked up on her warm and collaborative approach in the classroom and how her attitude positively impacted her classmates. 

Her commitment had already been acknowledged when she won Chisholm’s Major International Student Scholarship in 2023.  

Alejandra took advantage of the mid-year intake in her course, but like many students, had to cope through covid lockdowns which stopped all in-person classes.  Being an international student, she knew what it was like to feel isolated and without solid friendships. She tried to bring her fellow students together online, creating communities of support and making sure they were coping with class assignments.  Her empathy toward others also helped her to stay focused on her own studies while stuck at home. 

Her ‘can do’ attitude helped her to focus on the difficult topics in the course, which included legal and ethical frameworks, how to respond to young people with addictions, and even people in aged care. 

Despite starting her studies in 2020 during Melbourne’s difficult Covid19 lockdown, Alejandra used her resilience, hard work and commitment to get through. She even tried to get a student placement when the community health sector’s programs were limited. 

In her classes, Alejandra emerged as a collaborator, and would courageously step up to contribute to class discussions, talking about her overseas experiences.  She is the classic example of all that can be achieved by engaging with your studies and Chisholm campus life. 

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