Students in Focus
Price Magero pursues her dream of law at UC
Price Magero was in Year 9 when she experienced the first episode of a mystery medical condition that would alter her life for years to come.
A girl who had previously had a clear vision for her future, was now lagging behind. It affected her confidence, and her hopes for the future.
“There were lots of doctors and tests. I had one of my biggest medical episodes in Year 11, where I couldn't walk properly or do many things. It affected my ability to perform well, like I had in high school,” Price says.
Price had always known she wanted to be a lawyer.
Raised in a culture where community is central and caring for others is second nature, Price knew from a very young age that she wanted to help people.
But as her circumstances changed, she faced barriers to direct entry into university law programs. Determined not to let her dream go, she began looking at alternative pathways to university and discovered that she would be eligible for a Bachelor of Justice Studies at the University of Canberra. Offered by the School of Law, the degree is designed for students with an interest in advocacy and the legal system. She also came across the Student Equity and Participation team’s Student Success Program, which provides support for students from underrepresented backgrounds, including those on Humanitarian Visas, or with refugee backgrounds.
With her mother’s encouragement, she applied for both and before long, had received an offer and was taking the first steps on her university journey.
As soon as she connected with the Student Success staff, the wrap-around support began. Facilitated by the team, she received a sponsorship to help with study expenses and was connected with a Study Coach - a tutor to help her navigate the study of law. She also applied for the University of Canberra Accessible Education Bursary through InclusionUC, which enabled her to purchase her first personal laptop to help her study.
“I love my tutor! She's a lawyer who also studied here,” Price says.
I think one thing a lot of law students fear, is that when they become a lawyer, they will lose themselves to the profession. But my tutor, she's very upbeat, she's very nice and accommodating. She has shown me you can be a lawyer and still be yourself.
InclusionUC also helped Price set up a Reasonable Adjustments Plan (RAP) for her medical condition – it provided the backing she needed to negotiate extensions when symptoms of her illness flared up. Now, Price only has to reference her RAP, and her lecturers know exactly what to do.
“I was really worried about what ‘inclusion’ would look like. I thought that at university, no one would care – they’re not going to care that I learn differently from other people or that I might need provisions – but in reality, everyone has been really nice,” Price says.
Price took a full complement of units in her first semester, and was immediately thrilled with the pace, support and content of the course.
“I’ve loved the teaching style, it’s not just theoretical, I’m actually developing the skills I would need as a lawyer,” Price says.
Now with a successful Semester One under her belt, she was able to swap into the Bachelor of Laws program for Semester Two, which aligns more closely with her hopes to become a lawyer.
Outside of her studies, Price has also just completed her three-year term on the ACT Youth Advisory Council, a body comprised of diverse young Canberrans, who advise the ACT Minister for Youth Affairs on issues or policies that relate to young people. It’s just one of the many extracurricular programs she’s been a part of. For Price, leadership is less about where it can get her, and more about how she can contribute.
“It didn’t come from a place of ‘I want to lead people’, it was more like, ‘there are people struggling, what can I do about it?’” Price says.
I used to think that as a young person, I didn’t have the resources to help. But then I realised that the system has the resources, and through something like the Youth Council, they need people with the lived experience to help.
While her older sister moved to Sydney to study, Price appreciated the safety and security of Canberra. The scholarship enabled her to stay close to family and supportive mentors, including her mother, while continuing her studies.
“She is definitely a girl boss. She is so persistent, she always has been,” Price says.
Reflecting on her journey, Price credits the support of her family with getting her through some of the darker times. Now, she has a better understanding of her health, a collection of supporters by her side, and she’s proven to herself that she is capable, even when things get tough.
“I was devasted in that era, with the impact my condition had on me. … I thought I might not be able to go to university, but now I’m here!” Price says.
Prospective or current students with a refugee background can connect with the UC Equity and Participation team via the UC website, Student Success Programs.