If I can do it, you can too - Jordan Ivey shout-out to Indigenous Uni students

Jordan Ivey wants more Indigenous students to follow in his footsteps and apply for the New Colombo Plan scholarship program.

And why not?

The program enables great study and life experiences to those who want to undertake part of their studies somewhere in the Indo Pacific region.  

Jordan, a Bungalung man from northern New South Wales studied and honed his research skills in Fiji as part of his Bachelor’s Degree of Marine Science and Management.

But don’t assume that getting into a degree course and studying in Fiji came easily to Jordan.

‘School was painful and my grades were terrible,’ Jordan said.

‘I hit rock bottom after school. I was working at Woolworths with no university acceptance, no career trajectory and no plan. I was unhappy and knew that if I wanted to have a career, I needed to work hard and make it happen.’

Jordan lived by the ocean all his life and loved it. While working to gain his Open Water Scuba Licence and learning of the threat to marine life, he decided to make the change.

‘It was now or never. I needed to do something. I needed to once and for all chase my dreams.’

He found a bridging course at Southern Cross University in Lismore, NSW and after working hard, gained high grades.

‘For the first time in my life I’d received good grades and it felt so good. I started to believe that I was not only capable of university, but with hard work, I may actually excel at this,’ Jordan said.

He was not only accepted into the degree course of his choice but received a scholarship as well, enabling him to devote all his time to study.

After the first semester he again gained high grades and felt the need to raise the bar.

‘With global problems surrounding marine life, I want to enable real change in the world and research is the best way I can make an impact,’ Jordan said.

From there, many doors opened for Jordan and after receiving a New Colombo Scholarship, he designed a research program based on his desire to protect coral reef ecosystems and educate Indigenous South Sea Islanders.

‘My goal is to stay in Fiji for 18 months, finish my degree with honours and then complete my PhD in Lismore so I can start implementing my research,’ Jordan said.

Throughout Jordan’s experience, he has felt the need to give back to his community. He said he wants to encourage Indigenous school and tertiary students to also pursue their passions.

Jordan wants to spread the message that doors are opened when you work hard and believe in yourself.

‘To say the New Colombo Plan changed my life doesn’t do it justice and I want to encourage everyone to think about applying too. Don’t be shy! Ask Me!!’

The 2021 Round of the New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program is now open for eligible Australian universities to nominate students. Nominations close on 21 July 2020.

Story sources courtesy of the Australian Government New Colombo Plan Scholarship and Mobility Grant Program.