Three Monash Law students selected for the 2026 Global Discovery Program
Monash Law is proud to share that three Monash Law students have been selected for the 2026 Global Discovery Program. This is a fully funded study tour that will take a total of ten Monash students to New York City from 5 to 15 July.
Following a highly competitive selection process, Kirsten Harkness, Mervin Laureano, and Dhivi Pillai were chosen to represent Monash Law. Applications more than doubled compared to last year, with students asked to respond to a short video prompt exploring humanity, technology, and global challenges.
Raheel Bostan, Kenuli Kapugamage and Lola Brill in front of the NYU School of Law in 2025.
This is the second year in a row that three Monash Law students have been selected for the Global Discovery Program. Raheel Bostan, Lola Brill and Kenuli Kapugamage were selected for this exclusive opportunity in New York City. In 2024, Kiera Kay and Ronald Liu were chosen to visit the Big Apple.
Ronald Liu and Kiera Kay on the New York Subway with friends in 2024.
Now in its 12th year, the Global Discovery Program is one of Monash University’s flagship student opportunities, recognised for connecting students with alumni leaders and exposing them to international professional environments.
Learning from law, policy, and lived experience
For Kirsten Harkness, a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts student, the program builds directly on her advocacy for access to justice and legal education. Alongside her studies in law and politics, Kirsten volunteers as a legal assistant in community law and works in youth advocacy through her local Youth Council.
These experiences have shaped her interest in public policy and the structural barriers people face when seeking legal support.
Through the Global Discovery Program, Kirsten is keen to learn from Monash alumni about how they have translated their studies into careers with public purpose, while gaining international perspectives on social justice issues.
Exploring leadership, discourse, and consensus
Mervin Laureano, a penultimate‑year student studying Law (Honours) and Arts (Politics), brings a strong interest in youth agency and leadership to the cohort. His work and studies reflect a belief that people should be supported to recognise and step into opportunities that allow them to shape their communities.
Mervin applied to the program to further develop his leadership skills while observing how global leaders manage disagreement and build consensus in complex political and legal environments. At a time of growing division, he sees value in open discourse and cooperation, and is keen to see how these ideals play out within international institutions and organisations.
Law, belonging, and global perspectives
Dhivi Pillai, a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Science student, approaches the study of law through the lens of lived experience. Growing up as the child of immigrants, she became aware early of how legal systems shape belonging and opportunity.
That perspective led her to work in immigration law and volunteer as a paralegal at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. Alongside this, she has developed interests in intellectual property law and financial technology through her studies. Dhivi is looking forward to learning alongside peers with diverse perspectives and engaging with Monash alumni in New York on the values that underpin global legal and technological systems.
Raheel Bostan and Lola Brill at the reception event for GDP 2025.
Global Discovery Program reflections from Raheel Bostan
When I applied for the Global Discovery Program to New York in 2025, I remember feeling a combination of excitement and genuine uncertainty. I was excited by the opportunity to present an idea that I cared deeply about, but I also doubted whether I would actually be selected. At the time, the program felt like something slightly beyond my reach: a highly competitive opportunity that attracted ambitious students with strong ideas and impressive records. Even so, I approached the application with a clear sense of purpose. My concept centred on building a self-sustaining initiative that could fund and mentor emerging innovators, particularly by creating pathways for people with strong ideas but limited access to networks, capital, or institutional support. More than anything, I saw the program as a chance to test that vision in a global context and learn from people operating at the highest levels of industry and leadership.
What stands out to me now is how different the actual experience was from what I had initially imagined. Before departing, I thought the value of the program would lie primarily in refining my idea and receiving feedback on it. That certainly formed part of the experience, but the program became much broader than that. It challenged the way I thought about ambition, scale, and what is realistically possible in a professional career. One of the most striking aspects of the program was seeing Monash alumni in New York who had built remarkable careers in one of the most competitive and globally significant cities in the world. Speaking with them made the abstract idea of an “international career” feel tangible. It showed me that there is no reason to limit oneself geographically or professionally simply because a pathway seems unconventional or difficult at first.
A particular highlight was the opportunity to engage with Patrick Loftus-Hills, one of the key figures involved in establishing the program. That conversation was especially meaningful to me because he shared a similar educational foundation and a comparable sense of aspiration. Being able to speak with someone who had once stood in a similar position, but had gone on to help create opportunities for others, was both grounding and motivating. It made the program feel full-circle in a way that was deeply inspiring. More broadly, connecting with the wider alumni network in New York was equally valuable. Each conversation offered a different perspective on leadership, career development, and the importance of thinking expansively about one’s future.
The Global Discovery Program group of 10 in New York in 2025.
Beyond the professional insights, simply being in New York was a highlight in itself. It is a city with immense scale, energy, and history, and experiencing that environment firsthand reinforced the importance of exposure. There is something transformative about being in a place where so much is happening at once. It pushes you to think bigger, move faster, and be more deliberate about the kind of life and career you want to build.
Looking back, the Global Discovery Program has had a clear influence on both my law studies and my career goals. It has strengthened my interest in pursuing a career in commercial law, while also broadening my understanding of how transferable that path can be internationally. In particular, it helped me appreciate that cities like New York are not just distant centres of opportunity, but real and relevant professional environments for those willing to think globally and position themselves accordingly. Most importantly, the program gave me a more open mindset. It reminded me that meaningful growth often comes from stepping into environments that feel unfamiliar, ambitious, and demanding. For me, that has been one of the most valuable lessons of the entire experience.
Kenuli Kapugamage captures the exciting moment before takeoff for New York City in a selfie.
Global Discovery Program reflections from Kenuli Kapugamage
Last June, I had the incredible opportunity of travelling to New York as part of Monash’s Global Discovery Program. Receiving the acceptance email felt like a pinch me moment as up until then, New York had only existed in my mind as a cinematic dream, a place from movies and music, not somewhere I actually imagined I would experience so early in my life and career.
I stumbled across the program while browsing Monash’s website and driven by a mixture of curiosity, ambition and uncertainty, I decided to take my chances and apply. The application question asked us: What is one thing you would advocate or change to provide opportunities for future generations? My recent trip to my home country Sri Lanka, where I saw talented people working hard for opportunity with limited resources, inspired my proposal - advocating for greater financial education across the world. I believed that unlocking one’s best potential and opportunities wasn’t just about money, but about understanding how to manage and grow it. I hoped New York, the world’s financial capital, would deepen my understanding of that idea.
What I didn’t expect was just how life-changing the experience would be. New York showed more than its sheer financial prowess, the GDP experience reshaped how I think about ambition, leadership and possibility.
Based in Manhattan, our days unfolded like multiple years of learning compressed into two weeks. From law and finance to infrastructure, the arts, politics, science, technology and education, we dived deep into industries and moved across the city at an exhilarating pace.
We met Monash alumni who had built remarkable lives and careers in the United States. What struck me most wasn’t their professional success, but their passion, authenticity and generosity. Despite working at the highest level of their fields, they were candid about setbacks, generous with advice and deeply committed to giving back and creating opportunities for others. Patrick Loftus-Hills, Partner and Senior Advisor at Moelis, and also principal organiser of the program, inspired us all as he spoke about the resilience and hard work required to thrive at the top of global finance. Equally impactful was Sonia McMillian, Managing Partner at Amber Infrastructure, whose honesty about building a career as an ambitious woman in New York’s intense corporate and political landscape was incredibly refreshing. Her advice beckoned us to dream big but cultivate important relationships and stay true to your values in fast-paced, competitive spaces.
Lola Brill and Kenuli Kapugamage took a friend to see the New York Yankees.
A highlight for me was the personal tour we got of the United Nations Headquarters by Dr Chris King, Chief in the Weapons of Mass Destruction Branch. Visiting the assembly rooms and learning about the daily work of diplomats made international legal practice feel tangible. Seeing the diverse, global careers Monash graduates were able to cultivate in the United States - from global tech and pharma companies, to reaching partner status in top commercial law firms and thriving in creative industries - reinforced the idea that the degree you study isn’t necessarily where you’ll end up and you have the power to chart your own path.
In between meetings, we somehow managed to squeeze in almost every possible New York experience imaginable. We navigated the maze of the subway to Broadway shows, late-night jazz shows, Central Park, the eclectic chaos of Times Square, Yankee Stadium, Fifth Avenue, and museums that felt endless. One of the most valuable aspects of the program was being surrounded by nine other scholars who were passionate, intelligent and incredibly ambitious - whom I have definitely learnt a lot from & am grateful to call close friends.
Months later, I can clearly see the contrast between who I was when I applied and who I am now. I arrived in New York shy, slightly overwhelmed but eager to learn. I left as someone confident with networking, equipped with a global mindset, bigger dreams and friendships I will carry for life. The program expanded my sense of what is possible and gave me the courage to believe in an international career - whether that’s in law or beyond. It’s made me more inquisitive when meeting new people, more proactive in seeking mentorship and more open to discomfort and change. I truly cannot recommend the program enough.
Kenuli Kapugamage and Lola Brill on the New York subway in 2025.
Global Discovery Program reflections from Lola Bril
The Global Discovery Program was the single most influential experience I have had at Monash. It reshaped my perspective on work, success and my own personal goals. New York is such a dynamic city, full of inspiring people. It was especially powerful to see how connected the Monash alumni remain, even from across the world. That is something that I hope to carry forward - not only for future students of this program, but also in my professional journey in law.
One thing that stood out in every conversation with the alumni was their genuine passion for their work. While each of them was clearly determined and successful, what really shone through was their genuine connection to their industry. As a student just starting out, that has been one of the biggest takeaways: that while drive can take you far, its passion that ultimately sustains you.
One of my highlights of the GDP was going to the UN with Chris King, the Deputy Chief of Weapons of Mass Destruction Branch of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs. Having the chance to walk through the halls of a building that creates monumental change and carries such rich history was very inspiring. I hope to one day use my skills in Law and Arts to contribute to a body that promotes peace, justice and equality.
I really enjoyed visiting Zev Greenfield, the Executive Director & Chief Curator at the ISSUE Project Room at their iconic Downtown Brooklyn theatre space. After meetings in skyscrapers in Time Square, and office buildings on Park Avenue, Zev showed us a new side of New York, where culture, community and innovation intersect to create art.
The program allowed us time to explore New York on our own terms. From the Met to Moulin Rouge, a Yankees game to the Statue of Liberty – we did not let a minute go to waste. And of course, we ate our weight in bagels and matcha along the way. New York was unforgettable, but what made the journey even better was the chance to build friendships with like-minded peers.
My biggest advice for students going on the next GDP would be:
- Prepare: To prepare for all meetings, go in informed and with questions. The Alumni are generous with their time and advice, so take advantage of the opportunity to learn their stories, businesses and knowledge.
- Reflect: During my time in New York, I kept a diary that I used to reflect on each day. This allowed me to quietly sit with the chaos of the day and reflect on the key points that inspired me.
- Enjoy: Between the meetings, subways and late nights, make sure to take in every moment. Fill it with laughter and a smile (and maybe a picture) because before you know it, you’re back in Melbourne wondering if it was all a dream!
Representing Monash Law on a global stage
Together, Kirsten, Mervin, and Dhivi represent the global outlook, curiosity, and civic purpose of Monash Law students. Through the Global Discovery Program, they will engage with alumni leaders, explore international legal and policy contexts, and return with insights shaped by direct experience.
Their selection reflects not only academic achievement, but a strong commitment to justice, community, and thoughtful leadership in a global setting. This quote from Dr Seuss perfectly captures the sentiments of the Law Faculty - “Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away!”