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Young Americans promote USC abroad
Three young Americans who spent a semester at the University of the Sunshine Coast have been awarded student ambassadorships under an Australian Government program.
The Australian Education International embassy in North America chose 24 ambassadors for the 2009-10 academic year, from students resuming their US degrees after attending universities across Australia.
The AEI program helps US and Canadian students to promote study in Australia by coordinating campus events, peer advising and online social networking.
USC Admissions and Recruitment Officer Jodi Vallance said it was the first time the University had three International students win a place in the same year.
“The students showed such enthusiasm while learning at the Sippy Downs campus and this allows them to share their experiences and promote USC to millions of potential students,” she said.
USC has more than 760 International students from more than 60 countries. The ambassadors receive a small budget for promotions and a free trip to Washington DC.
The three ambassadors are: Hadley Arnett and Lindsey Holt, both of the University of Central Missouri; and Kassandra Lang, of St Norbert College in Wisconsin.
The three young women said they thoroughly enjoyed their time at USC, from the variety of courses and helpfulness of staff to seeing kangaroos on campus and surfing in between lectures.
“Being a biology and environmental science major, I was attracted to the opportunities at the University of the Sunshine Coast,” said Kassandra, 21.
“I took unique courses like Australian Wildlife and Marine Ecology that were not offered at home. These involved three-day field trips and hands-on experience."
Lindsey, 21, who studied sport and exercise science at USC, said her classes also would transfer to her degree at home.
“I had such an amazing time that I want to tell people how great it is to study at USC and live on the Sunshine Coast.”
Hadley said USC had given her the confidence to pursue a career in tourism.
Her travels included Mardi Gras in Sydney, snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, seeing wild dingoes on Fraser Island and skydiving in Cairns.
“It has been one of the best and most rewarding experiences of my life and I will continue to promote USC as an exceptional university,” she said.
– Julie Gatehouse