Phuong Anh

Master of Speech Pathology

Thanks to the hard work of her mother who works at a hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam, Phuong Anh Lai was able to start her Master of Speech Pathology at Flinders University this year.

With her father now retired, Phuong Anh relies completely on the support of her mother’s income - but a swift decrease in her shifts at the hospital after the outbreak of COVID-19 caused the family financial stress. It meant Phuong Anh needed to support herself but with local restrictions she was unable to find a job.

‘It was a new experience for me to be completely on my own and supporting myself. I became quite overwhelmed,’ says Phuong Anh.

Everything felt strange to her, including having online lectures and virtual study placements. Far from home, she grew despondent – worried about the safety and wellbeing of her family in Hanoi and feeling a growing anxiety about her own situation.

Receiving the Matthew Flinders Scholarship provided timely financial and psychological support and marked the start of positive change for Phuong Anh.

‘I can pay my rent and have a budget for groceries. I can now concentrate more on studying without spending so much time worrying about financial issues,’ she says.

Phuong Anh is now enjoying her placement at a speech pathology clinic, renewing her sense of stability and surety.

‘I feel very lucky to have been in South Australia during the COVID-19 crisis,’ says Phuong Anh. ‘I am safe, and at Flinders University I know there is a community that cares for me.’

‘Every donation that has been made to the Matthew Flinders Scholarship fund has made a huge difference to my life and the lives of students at Flinders.’