Transcript: Case study – Belle
We hear from Belle, a second-year student, about how she chose her course and the assistance she received from StudyLink and other places to help her pay for it. Belle is talking to us from a room at her education provider.
Hi, I'm Belle. I'm studying a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Sociology up here in Auckland.
I've always been really interested in human behaviour and culture.
I like to be involved in the community and help out with people. One day I'd like to be a counsellor.
There's lots and lots of information on the internet, so I just went through all of that, looked at what I was interested in and took it to my Careers Advisor at school.
She was really helpful in figuring out what was right for me in terms of money, in terms of the right degree, the right place to be.
I'm living at home this year because it's cheaper but I've also got the support of my family which is really important to me.
I do have a Student Allowance. A StudyLink presenter came in to our school actually, and it was really good to learn about what exactly it was. It helped me apply for it.
I do have a Student Loan. It's not too big, I only use it for my course-related costs and my fees. It's really important to me that when I finished University I don't have that pressure of needing to find a high paying job to pay off my debt. I want to be able to do what I want and what I'm interested in.
I work part-time. I make arts and crafts for some local markets which is fun. Having that money - it's only about $30-$40 extra a week.
I actually got a scholarship. I found it on a website with just a huge list for all kinds of people. I told some of my friends about it as well, and it's been really helpful for all of us getting through.
The StudyLink website has been really helpful for me. I recommend that you go on there and go on to the ‘What you Can Get' tool. You just put in all your details and it tells you what you can apply for, like a Student Loan or a Student Allowance. It makes it really easy.
