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Tara Balador and Chloe Jung are the first two recipients of the new Mahsa Amini Scholarship, which was presented by Candice Zhong of the Dawson Student Union at the Fall Awards Night Nov. 30. The Mahsa Amini Scholarship aims to help international and refugee students at Dawson who are affected by conflict and in need of financial aid.

鈥淏eing honoured with this award presented a significant chance for me,鈥� said Tara, a student in Pure & Applied Science, in an interview with the Communications Office. 鈥淎s an international student, it helped me to pay my college tuition fees. Moreover, it instilled confidence in me and conveyed a sense of importance, indicating that the college values and supports me in the challenges I face as an international student.鈥�

Candice of the DSU said that is exactly why the union is supporting this initiative: 鈥淭he Mahsa Amini Scholarship is especially important for the DSU, since it is a way for us to show support for our students鈥� no matter the background of the student.鈥�

Nursing student Chloe feels lucky and grateful. 鈥淟iving in a different country is something more demanding than I thought,鈥� she said. 鈥淣ew people, new languages, new systems… I feel like adapting to these 鈥榰nfamiliarities鈥� is more difficult when you are a grown-up. With more responsibilities like academics, rent, food, sometimes it becomes very challenging. It has been around four years since I came here, but I still am learning new things every day.鈥�

For Chloe, the award will 鈥渓ighten my financial situation. It will allow me to buy more textbooks, uniforms for my clinicals, and equipment.鈥�

Both students are enjoying their studies at Dawson despite the challenges. Chloe is in the second year of nursing: 鈥淭he program is very hectic. but I feel proud of myself learning something useful every day to help the sick and the ones who need medical help. I like the stage days in my schedule. This is something special about nursing; we go to hospitals and learn real life and hands-on skills.鈥�

Tara is involved in the Blue Ring group and has participated in many volunteer activities at Dawson. 鈥淭he college has provided me with numerous wonderful experiences, with the most notable being a diverse and multicultural environment that has made it more friendly and comfortable for me as an international student,鈥� she said.

Chloe plans to pursue nursing at the university level and Tara is also planning further studies in science at university.

Tara鈥檚 advice to students facing similar challenges as her and Chloe: 鈥淩emain resilient in the face of any difficulties. No matter how big the problems are, be stronger towards your goals.鈥�