Minna Zhu applied to our foundation in 2022 and received an arts scholarship.
She writes below how this scholarship impacted her:
"This workshop helped me reconfigure my personal values and ambitions, ultimately contributing to steering me onto my current academic pathway. Earlier this year I was really stuck on what I wanted to study (in terms of choosing what to drop, rather than what to add), and after a lot of consideration, I decided to pursue a BMus (bachelor of music) + BA over an LLB (law degree) + BA – one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. Being able to attend the workshop and experience a snapshot of what it would be like to be in this environment helped illuminate my honest feelings, and steered me away from a pathway I now realise did not reflect an authentic ambition, and which would’ve turned me away from the things I truly love and aspire to do in this lifetime; and for that, I am eternally grateful. I was able to connect with like-minded musicians around my age, many of whom I continue talking to today. The scholarship allowed me to unconditionally pursue something I had always wanted to do, in a context unbounded by existing pressures, where I was taken seriously for who I was and what I had to offer. It was refreshing to not be known. I was encouraged by my peers and allocated tutor who saw potential in me—something I felt at times was absent from experiences at school—and it was one of my favourite experiences of the year."
"Thank you Kate Moetaua Foundation for supporting me – the impact has been immense for my personal growth. I can’t envision what position I would be in right now had I been unable to attend this trip. Though the event seems rather insignificant, it allowed me to confront my values and even now affirms that I am following my heart –something I hope to continue doing now that I’ve been allowed to start. I appreciate it a lot! Thank you so much for the opportunity."
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