A journey to justice

From summers spent in Sudan to witnessing protests on the streets of America, Toota Ramandious has seen firsthand how law and justice shape lives. 

And it was this unique experience and global upbringing that fuelled her decision to study a Bachelor of Global Studies/Bachelor of Laws at ACU.

A global childhood, a global perspective

Although born in Sydney, Toota spent most of her childhood summer holidays growing up with family and friends in Sudan and Egypt.

It was a conscious decision by her parents to make sure she and her brother never lost connection to their heritage, faith and culture.

Those summers revealed the richness of her community, but they also highlighted the stark inequalities people face worldwide.

“It showed me how lucky I was to be living in Australia, and to recognise inequalities around the world that I may not necessarily know about had I not seen and experienced them myself,” she said.

Then, at the age of 10, her family moved to the United States for her father’s work as a Coptic Orthodox priest.

Suddenly, she found herself adjusting to a whole new culture – and a very different education system.

“The move honestly felt like I was in a movie,” she said.

“I was continually shocked by the cultural differences present in daily life. Among these, the most significant – and important – adjustment was the education system.”

Moving back home

A turning point in Toota’s life came just before she began Year 11, when her father sat her and her brother down to discuss whether they saw their futures in America or in Australia.

“I decided to move back to Sydney,” she said.

“All of my family and community were here in Sydney, and I wanted to maintain that connection.”

When she eventually returned to Australia, the shift back was anything but easy.

“I struggled a lot with the Australian system, given the stark differences compared to the US education system,” she said.

“This became increasingly difficult, especially considering the importance of Year 11 and Year 12 in determining my entrance into university.

“I pushed myself to the best of my ability, completing classes such as Advanced Mathematics, and even Extension I and II English.

She admits that her grades weren’t the best, but due to her efforts she was still able to find a place at university thanks to the ACU Guarantee program.

Finding her calling in law

Toota’s academic path and experiences shaped her worldview and made her purpose crystal clear.

Protests like Black Lives Matter in the US, combined with witnessing systemic injustices in Sudan, ignited her passion for law.

“My experiences around the world had exposed me to the necessity of law, whether in a personal, national or international perspective,” she said.

“I had witnessed these injustices and understood the effects of legal and social events, and I knew that I wanted to be part of the change.”

Why ACU?

Choosing ACU was as much about family as it was about faith and opportunity. 

Several cousins studied allied health degrees at ACU, and their encouragement played a role. Attending an ACU Open Day sealed Toota’s decision.

Since then, ACU has become more than a place of study – it’s been a community.

“I’ve been able to grow spiritually, professionally and academically,” she said. 

“I’ve been involved in the Blacktown Student Association, Campus Ministry and different law competitions, worked as a student ambassador, and even taken up a role with AskACU.”

Looking ahead

Now in her third year of a five-year double degree, Toota is steadily building the foundations for a career dedicated to justice on a global scale. 

She knows the road won’t always be easy, but her resilience – and her ability to draw strength from both her heritage and her experiences – keeps her moving forward.

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