Caribbean-native Danielle Edwards yesterday challenged new graduates of the University of the South Pacific (USP) to chase their dreams.

Delivering the USP graduates’ speech 12,000 kilometres from her home at the Vodafone Arena in Suva, the 25-year-old from Jamaica challenged graduates to work hard.

“I am standing proudly on this platform as a testament to the notion that regardless of your socio-economic background, nationality, race, gender or creed, your dreams are valid,” Miss Edwards said.

She encouraged students and graduates to be bold and not let their present situation discourage them from reaching their goals.

“Today I challenge you to demand from the universe what it is you want and I encourage you to follow your bliss. I can’t promise you that it will be easy, but I can promise you that it will be worth it.”

Miss Edwards graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomacy and International Affairs.

She is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Politics, International Affairs and Diplomacy after years of struggles to find a scholarship. It had been her achieving the Caribbean-Pacific Mobility Scholarship that allowed her to study in Fiji.

“When I opened the email telling me that I had a scholarship to study at USP, I almost lost my mind.  After waiting for so long, I finally had this opportunity and it was amazing,” she said.

She sent out applications for more than three years for a scholarship to further her studies.

“I didn’t completely give up, but it was really exhausting. Trying for your Masters is quite expensive and I was hoping for a chance to get a full scholarship,” she said.

During the three years, Miss Edwards worked in insurance and marketing and travelled to France to teach English for a year. She had already gained a Bachelor of Science from the University of West Indies, but was unable to find employment in her field.

“Now I can finally do what I love,” she said.

Miss Edwards hopes to advocate women’s and girls’ rights in her country when she returns home.

“I’m passionate about encouraging our girls and young women. I find that it’s a challenge for some women to look beyond physical appearance. There’s always something wrong like I’m too fat or too skinny. I’d like to work with little girls and start reminding them that they are absolutely beautiful,” she said.

Feedback:  maryann.lockington@fijisun.com.fj