About Me

Hello, my name is Chin Yang (Blake) from Taiwan . I am studying my Master of Social Work at Flinders University, but I am now facing a very difficult situation.

During my previous placement, I wasn’t given a fair opportunity and, sadly, experienced discrimination in the placement as well as a lack of support from the university. Instead of helping me through this, the university has asked me to pay my tuition fees again and restart the placement. In addition, my student visa is set to expire in September, which adds even more financial pressure.

Right now, I am doing placement again in differernt organisation, working Monday to Thursday at my placement site. To survive in Australia, I also work almost every night and every weekend, but even with all my effort, I still can’t cover the cost of both tuition and my visa.

Why this matters to me

I am already a qualified social worker in Taiwan, I got three years of experience supporting people with mental health challenges and individuals living with spinal cord injuries. I learned how important it is for social workers to stand alongside people during some of the hardest moments of their lives, offering both professional support and care. I have also volunteered internationally in Thailand, working with children, which gave me the opportunity to experience different cultures and support young people facing challenges in their daily lives.

Living and working overseas has always been one of my dreams. In December 2021, I was searching for information about becoming a social worker abroad, I came across the Master of Social Work program in Australia. I felt an instant connection and knew this was the opportunity I had been waiting for after COVID. I decided to follow my dream, even though it meant leaving behind the comfort of home.

Since arriving in Australia, I have continued to commit myself to helping others in every way I can. I actively volunteer at my university to support students who may be experiencing isolation that affects their wellbeing. I also take part in surf lifesaving in West Beach SLSC, helping to keep the beach safe and supported.

How your support will help

Your donation will directly help me:

Every contribution, big or small, makes a real difference. Even a few dollars helps me take one more step towards my dream of becoming a social worker who can give back to the community.