Denise Kingsley

Denise Kingsley is an Ambassador who studied abroad in Australia.

Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your trip that made a lasting impression.

The entire week that I was able to spend with the Aborigine people in the Outback was amazing. One specific memory I have of that week is when we visited a piece of land, yet again overlooking the ocean. This beach area was different though because the rock was dated by 50,000 years and imprinted in the rock were Aboriginal footprints that were 7,000 years old! This fact was very important to their people because it proves to the country how long they really had been on the land. After hearing this moving story and looking at the beautiful view our guide said that his family could be rich if they sold this to a developer. He followed that up by saying; we are already rich, in family and land. He then asked us all to look around and we were silent.

Why did you choose the program in which you participated? 

I decided to go to Australia for numerous different reasons: It offered classes that transferred over for my major of communication and minor of management, there was not a language requirement which was a must for me, my sister studied abroad there in the fall of 2002 and has only spoke highly of her experience, and Australia has always been on my list of places to visit.

Describe your overall study abroad experience.

My trip to Australia was truly an experience of a lifetime. I was able to learn a new culture, meet new people from CSB/SJU and a different country, all while I was still attending classes for college. I have grown more as person and discovered what I really value in life. I did all of this by spending just five months down under!

How has the trip affected you? How are you different for having completed the experience?

My study abroad trip made me a more independent person, while also making me be thankful for my family and the life I have even more. I now look at life through a different lens and I appreciate the small things in life. Since this experience I have also become more interested in world issues because I realized how much other countries know about America and how little I know about them.

What advice do you have for future Study Abroad Students?

Take advantage of every opportunity you have. Do not put things off when you are abroad because you will get to it later, because that may never happen. Also, make a point to get to know locals. In Australia this can be difficult because only the American students live on campus, but the relationships you can develop with people of a different nationality really make all of your effort worth it.