Leslie Kinnas, the Richmond Down Under marketing intern, writes:

Despite only two months having passed since I returned from Australia, I am already antsy to hop on a plane to relive my wild adventures. Since I can’t do that right now, I am thrilled to be the Richmond Down Under Marketing Intern so that I can share my experience with students and encourage them to study abroad in Australia. My time in North Queensland was a dream come true, and I can only hope that I can help make this true for my fellow Spiders!

I am half Japanese and half American, but I lived the majority of my life in China, specifically Hong Kong and Shanghai. Having lived in Asia, I had the opportunity to travel to many countries throughout the continent, but also had the chance to visit places in Europe, North America, Africa, Caribbean Islands and now Australia! So, I guess it’s safe to say that I am a travel addict and love to indulge myself in different cultures.

Leslie snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef

This fall, I will be starting my junior year at the University of Richmond. I am a double major in Environmental Studies and International Studies, along with a minor in Chinese. My majors are the ultimate combination of my passions for Mother Nature and international topics, as well as traveling. I’m not quite sure what I want to do in the future, but I’m positive that whatever I end up doing, it will involve working with the physical environment and people and while I’m at it, globetrotting!

My time in Australia was truly the icing on a cake because, not only did I travel to the beautiful continent, but I also learned and saw first-hand different aspects of sustainability. We had numerous knowledgeable field guides who fed us with spoonfuls of information about a current environmental problem or debate, ways to solve the issue and what we can do to help.

Leslie with kangaroo friends

Snorkeling and diving on the Great Barrier Reef was definitely the most jaw-dropping experience for me. All the color and life that I saw underwater was so breathtaking (not literally, of course) to the point that it was hard for me to leave and get back on the boat! Other memorable activities from Australia were learning how to throw a boomerang, sleeping under the starry sky in the Outback, learning about Aboriginal culture at Mungulla Station, and of course, making a couple of kangaroo friends! These, and others, were all moments that I had always wanted to experience, and now I am proud to say that I have checked a few items off of my bucket list.

I can talk on and on about Australia and all of the wonderful things I saw and all of the amazing students I met—shout out to Wake Forest and University of Florida! This is why I am so excited to be this year’s Richmond Down Under marketing intern. I am extremely passionate about international education and travel and had a once-in-a-lifetime experience Down Under. I feel like I need to tell the world about my experience, but I guess the Richmond community will do for now! Go Spiders!