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“The scholarship from Nelson Soroptimist Education Trust represents a pathway to my dreams and goals, lighting the way to my future,” says Andrea Silva, a Paetahi Tumu Kōrero Bachelor of Counselling student at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT).
“It embodies the confidence that others place in my abilities, driving my ambition to succeed.”
Andrea’s decision to study counselling was profoundly influenced by her own life experiences. A childhood of abuse and hardship taught her about resilience from an early age.
She went on to build a successful career in government, but her life changed dramatically in 2018 when she became the victim of a violent crime. Following this incident she moved from Wellington to Blenheim, where she found love, only to suffer another heartbreaking loss when her fiancé passed away shortly before their wedding.
“Despite my loss, I realised that my struggles serve a greater purpose: to support others in their journeys,” Andrea says. That realisation led her to NMIT, where she is training to offer others the same hope and support that helped her carry on.
She has found NMIT to be a place that encourages growth and connection and she says she has appreciated the hands-on, career-oriented curriculum, nurturing educational setting, and robust links with regional companies.
“NMIT's reduced class sizes facilitate increased individual attention from tutors and enhance connections among peers,” she says. “NMIT promotes a feeling of inclusion and invites students from various backgrounds, making it enjoyable to be there.”
The scholarship, provided by the Nelson Soroptimist Education Trust in partnership with NMIT, has had a tangible impact on Andrea’s academic journey. It has helped her cover essential costs such as textbooks and transport, easing financial pressures and allowing her to focus fully on her learning.
“With the support it provides, I have been able to afford essential textbooks that are critical for my studies,” she says. “It has also covered transportation expenses enabling me to commute seamlessly to and from NMIT, as well as to my internship at Coastal View, where I am gaining invaluable practical experience.”
For Andrea, the scholarship is more than a financial contribution, it’s a gesture of trust and encouragement.
“It symbolises my dedication and perseverance, motivating me to pursue excellence and commit to contributing to my community with the same kindness that has been extended to me.”
Learn more about studying Counselling at NMIT
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