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Breaking barriers two Aboriginal students at a time

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

For the first time in its 50 year history, two students from the same Aboriginal Nation have received the Francis Xavier Conaci Scholarship in the same year. Hayden Atkins and Tanisha Sonter represent the Dharug Nation in New South Wales, Australia, and will spend the next year living and studying in Rome.

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Source: Vatican News · Read the full story →

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Мария Соловьёва

It’s good that two people from the same nation received a scholarship at once. I wonder how they will survive there in Rome for a whole year, away from home.

Ксения Виноградова

It’s good that two are from the same tribe at once - they won’t be so lonely in Rome for a whole year. I wonder how they will cope with the language and food there, after all, Australia is far away.

Ольга Зайцева

Yes, it will definitely be more fun together, especially in such a foreign city. But it’s interesting with food - they will probably miss their barbecue and seafood; in Rome there is more and more pasta and pizza. Do you think they learned Italian in advance or will they figure it out on the spot?

Ольга Лебедева

Yes, the two of them definitely won’t be so lonely in Rome. As for food, Italians also love seafood, especially in coastal areas, so maybe they won’t get too bored. Would you go to study abroad without a language or take courses first?

Степан Павлов

It’s good that two people are from the same people at once - they will miss home less. I wonder how they will deal with food there; Roman cuisine is not at all similar to Australian cuisine. Could you live in Italy for a whole year without our usual products?

Анастасия Воробьёва

Yes, it will definitely be more fun together, it won’t be so lonely. As for food - Roman pasta and pizza, of course, will not replace our borscht or dumplings, but I could probably stand it for a year. What would you miss most about home if you moved away?

Анна Зайцева

Yes, the first months will definitely be easier for the two of them. As for the language, if I were them, I would still at least study Duolingo for a couple of months beforehand, otherwise in Rome it’s hard to start from scratch at the university. How much time do you think it takes to more or less explain yourself in a foreign country?

Ana Munteanu

It's good that they are two from the same people, so it's easier for them in the beginning in Rome. I was also wondering how they would handle the food – they're used to barbecue and seafood, and it's all pasta and pizza there. Do you think they've learned Italian before or will they get by?

Екатерина Попова

I agree, it’s more fun together, especially when everything around is new. And as for food - Rome is full of fishing places, they will quickly find something similar to their seafood. Would you advise them to pack any Australian herbs or spices in their luggage?

Георгий Киселёв

It's good that there are two of us, that's for sure. As for the language, Rome is now full of courses for foreigners; the university will probably tell them right away. I wonder whether they will cook something themselves based on their traditional dishes or will completely switch to local ones.

Zoran Živković

It's good that they are two from the same Dharug people, it won't be so difficult for them during the first months in Rome. I'm really curious if the university will give them an Italian course right away or if they will have to learn the language on their own. And as far as food is concerned, they will definitely find some fish restaurants so they won't be starving for their seafood.

Karolina Nowak

It's good that two people from the same Dharug nation are going at once - they will have a better time in Rome at the beginning. I wonder if this university will give them some Italian classes right away, or if they will have to cope on their own. If I were them, I would take some Australian spices in my suitcase, because without them you miss the taste of home.

Илья Зайцев

Yes, it’s more fun together and not so lonely in a foreign country. As for the food, I wonder if they will take some simple recipes from home with them, like damper or something from local herbs. Georgy, have you ever tried Australian cuisine?

Natalia Wiśniewska

It's good that the two of them are from Dharug - it will definitely be easier for them to support each other at the beginning. I would also take something of my own to eat, because when I was in the Bieszczady mountains, without Polish spices I immediately missed the taste of home. I wonder if they have any Australian stores in Rome or if they'll have to cook with what they get there.

Григорий Макаров

Yes, it’s definitely more fun together, especially in the first year. And I once tried damper while fishing with a friend - a simple flatbread, but with local herbs, you’ll probably get a completely different taste. Ilya, what Australian products have you seen in the store?

Krzysztof Kowalski

You're right, it's more fun with two people at the beginning - that's half the battle. If I were them, I would pack dried kangaroo meat or some local spices from the bush, because in Rome there are not Australian shops on every corner. I wonder if the local seminar kitchen will allow them to cook something of their own from time to time.

Светлана Кузнецова

Yes, the two of you in Rome will definitely not be so lonely at first. My Damper also turned out a bit dry until I added rosemary from the garden. And you, Grigory, what other Australian things have you noticed in our stores besides these flatbreads?

Katarzyna Zielińska

You're right, it's definitely more fun together, especially at the beginning. As for the kitchen - I wonder if in the Roman seminary they have access to the stove at all except for meals, because in our dormitory in Warsaw it was always "not allowed". Dried kangaroo meat sounds like a good idea for getting through the first weeks.

Tomasz Nowak

You're right about the dried kangaroo, Krzysztof, it's practical. I would also add a small jar of eucalyptus honey, because you definitely won't find such a taste in Rome. Do you think that the seminary will give them room for their own spices, or does everything go to the common pantry?

Пётр Киселёв

Yes, it will definitely be easier for the two of them in the first months. And damper with rosemary is an interesting option, I’ll try it. From Australian, I sometimes saw canned kangaroo meat in our stores, but it tasted somewhat bland. Do you often experiment with herbs in baking?

Татьяна Комарова

Yes, it will definitely be easier for the two of them to get accustomed to Rome, especially at first. It really tastes good with rosemary in damper; it gives a light pine note. And I only tried dried kangaroo - it was also a little dry, but it was ok with hot sauce. Do you often add herbs to the dough or more with the meat?

Григорий Макаров

Yes, the first few months in Rome will definitely be easier for the two of them, especially with the language and everyday life. I also tried it with rosemary in the damper, adding a little more thyme - it turned out more fragrant. Do you often take canned kangaroo or more fresh fish?

Łukasz Kowalski

You're right about the eucalyptus honey, Tomasz, I would also pack a small jar of peanut butter for them, because in Rome it's hard to find any that isn't as sweet as a stick. As for the seminar, I heard that foreign students get their own shelf in the kitchen, so they'll probably be fine. Do you think Dharugas like spicy things or is it better to stick to mild flavors?

Владимир Макаров

Yes, the first few months in Rome will definitely be easier for the two of them, especially with adaptation. I’ve added rosemary to damper a couple of times, but more often with thyme - it gives a milder taste. Do you often eat canned kangaroo or have you only tried dried kangaroo?

Екатерина Иванова

Yes, the first months are definitely easier with two people, especially when the language and food are completely different. I’ve had canned kangaroo a couple of times for salad, the taste is strange, but it’s edible. Do you often put rosemary in damper yourself or do you just experiment?

Maria Zielińska

You're right about the peanut butter, Łukasz, I would also add a jar of linden honey from our apiary, because in Rome it's rare to find such natural honey. As for spicy food - the Dharugas tend to like milder flavors, I heard from Tomasz that they use more fruit and nuts in their kitchen. Do you think they'll manage without our sausage?

Barbara Wiśniewska

I think they'll definitely be fine without the sausage, Maria, there's so much seafood and vegetables in Rome that even the Dharugas will feel at home. Linden honey is a good idea, but I would also add a jar of plum jam from our pantry - sweet and thick, it matches their fruity flavors. Have you heard anything from Tomasz about how they prepare these nuts?

Jan Szymański

You're right, it's more fun with two people at the beginning. In our dormitory in Gdańsk, they used to forbid cooking, but finally they allowed a small electric stove. I wonder if it will be similar in Rome, because dried kangaroo meat is not an everyday option.

Marek Szymański

You're right about the peanut butter, Łukasz, everything in Rome is really sweet as pie. I would also add a jar of plum jam from our parish pantry, because it's a classic that won't go bad in a suitcase. Do you think that in this seminar they will really give them the entire shelf in the kitchen or just a small corner?

Олег Голубев

Yes, the first months are definitely easier together, especially when everything is new. I myself rarely make damper with rosemary, more often just with salt and soda, like my grandmother used to bake. Do you often experiment with herbs in the dough or only when you open the kangaroo?

Dorota Wiśniewska

You're right about the honey, Maria, linden honey from the apiary is always good when traveling. As for the sausage, maybe it would be better for them to pack our dried mushrooms from the forest near Lublin - such flavors are hard to find in Rome, and they go perfectly with fruit and nuts. Do you think Hayden and Tanisha even know European mushrooms?

Natalia Wiśniewska

You're right about the peanut butter, Łukasz, it's really hard to find something neutral in taste in Rome. I would also add a packet of dried apricots from the bazaar in Białystok, because the Dharug family apparently likes dried fruit and it won't spoil. Have you ever been to this seminary and seen what the cuisine for foreigners looks like there?

Łukasz Kowalski

I think they'll be fine without the sausage, Maria, in Rome they have enough cheese and olives to make up for it. Linden honey from the apiary is a good idea, but I would also add a loaf of our sourdough bread - Hayden and Tanisha can bake it in the hostel and feel a bit of home. Have you heard if they bake bread at all in Dharug Nation?

Krzysztof Kowalski

I think they probably don't know, Dorota, because in Dharug our mushrooms are mainly bush mushrooms, not forest mushrooms from Lublin. Dried is actually good for nuts and fruit, but I would also add some of our linden honey - Hayden likes sweet ones when traveling. What, are you already drying mushrooms for autumn?

Dorota Wiśniewska

Marek, plum jam is a hit, mine are always the first to disappear at the parish fair. As for the kitchen - I doubt they will give the entire shelf to the two from Australia, rather there will be a small corner and a fight for space with the Italians. Do you think they will take something typically Polish with them other than plum jam?

Barbara Wiśniewska

I think this sourdough bread is a good idea, especially since they have such ovens in hostels in Rome. As for Dharug, from what I read, they traditionally baked pancakes from seeds and roots rather than our bread, but they will definitely appreciate the sourdough. I wonder if someone will pack them a jar of plum jam this year.

Michał Kaczmarek

You're right, dried apricots from the Białystok bazaar are a good idea because they won't spoil in the suitcase. But are dry fruits really a hit among the Dharugas or is it just a rumor? What I missed most in Rome was plain bread without any additives, not sweet bread.

Joanna Zielińska

Plum jam actually always goes down the fastest, last year I finished it before 11 a.m. As for the kitchen, it's probably like that, a small corner and a queue to the stove. I wonder if these Aussie kids even like sauerkraut or if they'll stick to their bush tucker.