From the Stage to the Courtrooms

Hi everyone! My name is Justine Light Pre De Guzman.

I've recently been offered a place to study the Melbourne Juris Doctor, Graduate Law degree at the Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne. Unfortunately, the full weight of the fees are requiring more than what I am able to provide.

Any and all support would be greatly appreciated!

A full breakdown of the $180,049 AUD can be found below.

Read more about my story below.

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Hi everyone! My name is Justine Light Pre De Guzman.

I am a proud Filipino immigrant raised in Singapore and living in Melbourne, Australia. With the immense support from my teachers, family, friends and alma mater, I've recently completed my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre degree at the University of Melbourne, graduating with first class honours.

With a passion for social and criminal justice, I've been offered a place to study the Melbourne Juris Doctor, Graduate Law degree at the Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne.

Melbourne Law School ranks as the 8th best law school in the world (Times Higher Education 2024) and I am extremely blessed to have been a part of the few who were given this opportunity.

However, as an immigrant, I am facing significant financial hurdles. The tuition fee for this program is hefty, and despite my parents' best efforts, the full weight of this expense is hard to bear on their own. At this time, my parents and I hope to cover the costs of my living expenses for the next 3 years, by working part-time while studying.

We hope to seek extra support to cover the fees that require larger capitals we regrettably do not have access to - tuition fees, visa & insurance - and require full payment upfront.

The breakdown for the $180,049 are as such:

Total: $180,049 AUD

Yearly Breakdown

First Year: $57,537 - 2025

Second Year Costs: $61,206 - 2026

Third Year Costs: $61,206 - 2027

As of now, I have until the 14th of December 2024 to make a ~$22,000 AUD payment to the University to accept the offer. Without it, the offer will lapse.

The estimated $22,000 AUD will go towards:

Notes:

GOFUND typically charges a standard transaction fee (2.9% + US$0.30 per donation) for bank charges which will be deducted from the donated amount, if you'd prefer direct transfers, please feel free to let me know!

Why am I not able to gain a scholarship through regular means?

My unique position as an immigrant in both Singapore and Australia has created significant barriers for me, as I am ineligible for scholarships from the Singapore and Australian governments.

Moreover, as I have lived away from the Philippines for the last 18 years, I am also not eligible for a scholarship from the Philippine government, although I am a citizen.

In a similar vein, as I am an international student in Australia, I am also not eligible for scholarships from the University of Melbourne.

Financial Assistance plans are also not available to me as international students are assumed to be financially capable by the University.

I am reaching out to as many organisations and people that I know of to see what else might be available.

Your contribution to this fundraising will go directly towards helping me pay for the aforementioned costs, which will support me in my pursuit of becoming a lawyer.

Why am I doing this degree?

Through Law, I hope to take the stories that I told on stage to the courtrooms. I want to amplify marginalised voices, and fight for truth and justice - making a tangible, direct and meaningful difference every single day.

While I was pursuing my Theatre undergraduate degree, I discovered so many different issues and so many different people that were struggling to be heard. I realised that we needed to do more as a community. I championed for creating theatre performances that advocated for specific causes. I believe that theatre can make a difference, and it is must enact that responsibility at every opportunity.

Theatre has a unique ability to start conversations.

While I was in high school, I created a theatrical work called 'The American Dream' which navigated the various abuses that Filipino Overseas Foreign Workers face in America.

During my gap year, prior to University, I created a work called 'The Family Full of Colour' which talked about the casual racism that existed in Singaporean schools and the truth that young immigrant students face.

While at University, I created a work called 'Behind Closed Doors' which shed a light into the life of a young victim-survivor and raised awareness about the prevalence of Child Sexual Assault.

After creating these works, I wanted to do more than just create a conversation. A conversation is powerful, and should not be underestimated, but, I wanted to make a bigger impact. I wanted to see a difference.

Unfortunately, my knowledge was limited and my credentials even more so. I tried researching, reading and finding other ways to make changes but I didn't possess the right credentials to be taken seriously. Even if someone I knew was battling discrimination or was being taken advantage of because they barely spoke English, the only way I could fight back was to write a play about it and see if someone else might want to help out. This process was long, indirect and would take years before concrete changes could even be seen.

The works made were fantastic because they were able to create conversations, and create change indirectly. However, I really want to make direct change, to make a direct difference.

So, while at University, I fed my curiosity to level up. I took on Criminology breadth subjects and joined the University’s debating society and Student Union. As a Christian and an Asian-International student, I realised that I possessed a different perspective and approached topics with a unique lens. The issues that I advocated for were are not just prompts from a piece of paper. They are issues from lived experiences - of my own and of my friends, my family, and my communities. For me, the stakes were so much higher because I knew exactly how much of a difference an amplified voice could make.

It dawned on me: my love for Theatre stemmed from my passion for the Law. I simply chose the platform that made sense to me at that time - the stage. Theatre was the surrogate platform for me to indirectly exercise my love for social justice and the Law. Now, however, I have an opportunity to go beyond this, and actually become a practicing attorney.

What does a Law degree mean to me?

Pursuing the Juris Doctor at Melbourne Law School would be a groundbreaking achievement for my family, marking a significant first for my family as I become the first practicing lawyer. This accomplishment would profoundly impact our family's legacy, overcoming financial hardships and securing a brighter future for generations to come. I do not take doing this degree lightly. The stakes are high, and I promise the hard work will be even higher.

Thinking about this new journey, I am filled with gratitude, humility, and determination. My life is not for me. I believe and hope that my life would be used to serve others, give back to communities, and make a difference for someone else. I want to honour my family, my heritage, my country and their experiences. I want to be an instrument, a tool to create the differences that our world needs today. I want to fight for a big cause and because of this, the stakes are so much higher.

Conclusion

Your support would mean the world to me. Every contribution, big or small, brings me closer to achieving my dream. I'm grateful for your kindness and generosity in your consideration.

If you would love to chat with me or offer any advice, I would be so grateful! Please feel free to write to me.

Thank you so much for reading through this lengthy write-up! Your time, thoughts and prayers are so appreciated!

Kindest,

Justine

To God be the Glory, the Best is Yet To Be

With kindness, strength, love and joy; always, through Christ who strengthens me.