She was school captain at her Brisbane high school and finished top of her class, but Soumi Gopalakrishnan's dream of going to university in Australia to study medicine is now in doubt because of her refugee status.
The 19-year-old and her family, who are Tamil, fled Sri Lanka four years ago. They are now facing deportation after their application for a Safe Haven visa was rejected by the government. An appeal is currently before the courts.
Soumi Gopalakrishnan wants to go to university so she can become a doctor but her dreams are in doubt because of her refugee status. Source: SBS News
As the family's fate remains in limbo, the only hope Ms Gopalakrishnan has of going to university is through winning a full scholarship because she is considered an international student.
"I don't get HECS from the government and would have to pay about three-times more uni fees than a normal student would pay, and I would also have to pay that upfront. So that kind of prevents me from pursuing my further studies," she told SBS News on Friday.
"It is very disappointing because I tried everything and that barrier is still there and it doesn't seem to be disappearing."
'A wonderful student'
This year, Ms Gopalakrishnan finished Year 12 as dux (top of the school) of St James College in Brisbane. The high-achiever also successfully completed two university subjects at Queensland University of Technology in her final year of high school.
St James College principal Gerry Crooks said she had been a wonderful example to others at the school.
"Australia would be crazy to lose a person of her ability and calibre but also just her genuineness, these are the people we really need to look after, I think," he said.
Gerry Crooks is the principal at St James College in Brisbane and says Soumi was an outstanding student and great example to her classmates. Source: St James College
Mr Crooks said it has been difficult to watch the family lose hope as they fight for asylum.
"There is nothing permanent about the family staying in Australia, they've been basically led to believe they will be deported at some stage in the game, so that's been very, very upsetting to the family," he said.
"The family really have no other hope, in a way, except through their children. Their dad is a jeweler and a very good jeweler but he hasn't obviously been able to get work in that area."
Ms Gopalakrishnan's father was forced to move away from his family to find work. He currently lives in Rockhampton where he is employed by a meatworks.
Ms Gopalakrishnan admits her refugee status casts a big shadow but refuses to give up on her career ambitions.
"It has been really terrible, because every time I think about trying something you always have that thought in the back of your head saying 'what's the point of doing this, this is not going to be worth it in the end'," she said.
"It's just really hard because there is no life in Sri Lanka, I am Tamil and anything could happen when I go, and I don't think anyone should face this especially young person like myself. They should be able to know they have a future when they finish Year 12."
