After falling in love with detective thrillers, including the popular Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew series, Kamilaroi woman Jasmine Gulwell, then 10 years old, knew she wanted to study law.
Her fascination with all things law grew as she learned more about how the legal system worked and how it is impacted by society. When Year 10 work placements opened up, Jasmine grabbed the opportunity to apply to a local solicitor’s office where she learned first-hand how local courts operated. This experience was “so cool” Jasmine promptly chose the degree she wanted to study, which in turn determined her subject choices for Years 11 and 12.
Alongside this fascination with the law, Jasmine has a passion for languages and by the time she graduated from high school in 2021, she had studied Indonesian, French and German. She also loves Russian music and regularly makes time to connect with her sister with whom she practices speaking French despite coming from an English-only background.
Driven by her love of law and languages, Jasmine talks about working in the international embassies across Europe as either an ambassador or as a member of the diplomatic corps.
“I remember as a kid my parents explained to me that those careers combine a knowledge of law, languages and being paid to travel – it ticked all my boxes! Ever since, I’ve been studying with this career goal in mind.”
Finding a university that would accommodate Jasmine’s twin loves wasn’t easy either.
“UNE was the only university in Australia that allowed me to do a double major in Arts, with French and German as subjects, as well as a Bachelor of Law. I had applied for other universities as backup options knowing if I didn’t get into UNE but got an early entry into a backup option, I would switch across when I could. However, I received an early entry straight into UNE and moved to Armidale to take up my university studies last year.”
UNE was the only university in Australia that allowed me to do a double major in Arts, with French and German as subjects, as well as a Bachelor of Law.
It’s hard work but now in her second year of full time study, Jasmine is a Student Ambassador at UNE’s Oorala Aboriginal Centre, a role she excels in. After a few months of mentoring fellow students, and learning much about available supports, Jasmine realised she too could receive scholarships. “I applied for both the Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship and the Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship and with a little leg work received both scholarships straight away. “
