Deakin students share what it’s like as the first in their families to go to university

Three young people have shared their experiences as the first people in their families to go to university.

Amgad Ajak, Liam Jones and Alexandra Tito are all the first in their families to go to university. Picture: David Smith

Amgad Ajak, Liam Jones and Alexandra Tito have shared a unique experience – they are all the first in their families to go to university.

And across the region they are not alone, with new data showing a rise in Geelong residents holding university degrees.

Based on domestic student data extracted this month, there are about 2900 first-in-family students currently studying at Deakin’s Geelong campuses, representing about 37 per cent of current Geelong domestic students.

According to 2021 Census data 14,368 people in Geelong were enrolled in university or other higher education courses and 7372 were enrolled in vocational education courses.

This was an increase from 11,972 people in Geelong who reported studying at university or a tertiary institution on Census night 2016.

There was also jump in the number of people in Geelong who held a bachelor degree, from 44,387 in 2016 to 67,523 in 2021 - encompassing a quarter of the Geelong population.

Mr Ajak, who graduated from law at Deakin’s Waterfront campus, said his enrolment was a “new step” for his entire extended family.

Amgad Ajak said he was proud to be a role model for his family. Picture: David Smith

The 23-year-old came to Australia as a first generation migrant from South Sudan.

“When I first started, my family as a whole were very excited for me,” he said.

“I can remember in the first few weeks and months, my family were always asking how the experience was – it was kind of like living through me and seeing how that stage of life goes.”

In addition to being the first in his family to go to university, Mr Jones was also the first to finish high school.

Liam Jones said he was excited to take on the challenge of higher education. Picture: David Smith

“Given the circumstances of my parents and what they had to navigate when they were younger, I’m very lucky to have the privilege to prioritise my education and work towards my future goals,” he said.

Ms Tito said it wasn’t as much of a big deal in her family that she was the first to go to university.

“It was kind of expected of me, because I’ve always been more of an academic person,” she said.

The 20-year-old Grovedale resident said her grandparents came “straight off the boat” from Poland and Italy, and went into the workforce.

Alexandra Tito said her mum wasn’t sure about going to university, so chose a TAFE course instead. Picture: David Smith

She said her dad was already working full-time when he finished school, while her mum completed a TAFE course at The Gordon.

Ms Tito said her parents were proud of her for pursuing the higher education method that worked for her.

Mr Jones is studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Deakin’s Waurn Ponds campus, set to complete his degree this year.

Ms Tito is studying commerce majoring in accounting, with hopes to become an accountant when she graduates.

Mr Ajak works at a Melbourne law firm which solely employs people who were the first in their families to complete university.

Originally published as Deakin students share what it’s like as the first in their families to go to university