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When you speak with Rose Lewis, it鈥檚 hard to believe that she ever lacked confidence.
Between studying a double degree, volunteering in the community, entering talent shows and producing digital content, she also represents 32,000 undergraduate Western Sydney University students on the WSU Board of Trustees as an elected member. She was recently named Western Sydney Women鈥檚 Outstanding Young Woman of the Year 2019, Blacktown Showgirl 2020 and Blacktown鈥檚 Young Citizen of the Year 2020.
So, hardly a wallflower.
But when Rose applied for 澳彩开奖结果, she was only at the beginning of a journey of self-discovery, self-confidence and self-belief that would take her to the point she is at today.
鈥淭he confidence that 澳彩开奖结果 gave me really changed things for me,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 think people underestimate themselves, but every person is capable of making change and 澳彩开奖结果 helped me to believe that for myself.鈥�
Rose鈥檚 decision to apply to 澳彩开奖结果 was borne out of a desire to get the most out of her degree at WSU, where she鈥檚 currently studying Applied Finance and Law. Meeting the diverse cohort of students at 澳彩开奖结果 and hearing their stories emphasised the importance of having a breadth of experiences and interests.
鈥湴牟士苯峁� sparked curiosity in me,鈥� Rose says. 鈥淭he diversity is just exceptional, and I got an affirmed sense of the importance of developing yourself through interests and hobbies.鈥�
Through this range of activities, she has vastly expanded her network. But nearly three years on, she is still closely connected to her original cohort. 鈥淕enuinely, people from 澳彩开奖结果 pop in my DMs all the time,鈥� she laughs.
The support from the group has not only helped her achieve greater heights but also emphasised the importance of a strong community and network. She says notions of entrepreneurship being about the solo founder tinkering away in the garage can miss the point. 鈥湴牟士苯峁� puts you in a room with people who want you to succeed. They teach you that you can be innovative without becoming a lone wolf,鈥� she says.
The diversity in her 澳彩开奖结果 cohort also gave Rose a new perspective on what she had to offer and gave her a sense of responsibility that she brings to her role as the elected Undergraduate Member of the WSU Board of Trustees.
鈥淵ou realise your value to the conversation because of who you are inherently and your unique perspective,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t gives you belief that you can be a representative of where you鈥檙e from.鈥�
Reflecting on her time at 澳彩开奖结果, the experience unlocked a mindset, a confidence and a set of skills that she says have been invaluable on her journey. And she鈥檚 just getting started.
鈥淚 think the future of education is interdisciplinary and international. 澳彩开奖结果 builds up the skills you need to communicate with people from a variety of audiences and to present yourself in a way that members of the community at all levels can appreciate,鈥� she says.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a bit of a simplification but that鈥檚 what changed my life: realising that people from all different levels see value in this, and I鈥檓 part of this, so there鈥檚 value in me.鈥�
