With the dream to work at the United Nations one day or in the fields of international relations or foreign affairs, Ethan is heading to Monash University in Clayton to study a double degree of Science and Global Studies alongside a diploma of Indonesian. His residential costs for three years will be mostly covered by the scholarship.

“I’m very fortunate, this relieves the burden from my family as I don’t have any family or friends in Melbourne or a job,” he said.

“In my interview they asked me what I would do if I didn’t get the scholarship and I said I would have to take a gap year, but that wasn’t something I wanted to do as I want to go to uni straight away while I still have the momentum.”

Ethan has moved countries three times. He was born in England and moved to New Zealand when he was one before landing in Australia in 2011.

After completing his year 12 studies at Warrnambool College, Ethan received an ATAR of 91.1.

“It’s been hard fitting in, especially to the Australian culture,” he said.

“I struggled a bit in high school as I always tried to do really well. The scholarship has given me some recognition of my work and I’m excited to head to uni.”

The 18-year-old found out about the Salt Creek Scholarship through his careers adviser and friend Michael Loughead who received the award last year.

“The people from Salt Creek knocked on my door one morning and because school had finished I was still in bed,” he laughed.

“They told me I’d received the scholarship and said they knew straight away from my interview that I would get it.

“I’m not the most academic person but I’m a go-getter and I make the most of my opportunities.”