Student Stories
IS student Laily Ingleson explores digital journalism in Australia
Written by Laily Ingleson
Studying abroad in Australia was a defining academic and professional experience that significantly enriched my International Studies degree and helped with my career direction. Thanks to the聽Simons Foundation International Travel Grant, I was able to attend Griffith University in聽the聽Gold聽Coast to complete the聽study聽abroad requirement聽of聽my Creative Technologies in Digital Journalism certificate, an opportunity that was especially valuable because 51社区黑料does not offer journalism-specific courses. Being immersed in a program dedicated to journalistic practice allowed me to develop industry-relevant skills in a global context.
One of the most significant academic outcomes of my semester abroad was writing a feature article on the Intuit Dome, the new home arena of the Los Angeles Clippers. For this piece, I interviewed a Griffith University professor. This project challenged me to research and create original reporting, which are key skills in professional journalism. I am currently pursuing publication of this article, with the goal of using it for my portfolio and advancing my career in journalism and digital media.
My time in Australia also enriched my learning as an International Studies major. My study abroad was during the 2025 Australian federal election, and it provided a unique, real-time case study of comparative politics. Observing the election allowed me to compare Australia鈥檚 system with Canada鈥檚 political system. Witnessing how Australians engaged with issues such as climate policy, Indigenous rights, and economic management gave me a more nuanced understanding of how democratic institutions function differently across national contexts. Rather than studying these dynamics in a classroom or through social media, I got first-hand experience.
While I was in the Gold Coast, I also took advantage of school breaks to check out other parts of Australia. I visited Sydney, Melbourne, and Byron Bay. Visiting other parts of Australia helped me understand the country鈥檚 history and culture, which was incredibly interesting.
I think of my time in Australia as not only helpful to my professional life but also to my personal life. Navigating a new home, new landscapes, and a new academic system challenged and strengthened my independence. I gained new skills, even silly ones like carrying groceries up four flights of stairs! I really enjoyed my time growing into independence. There is also something important to say about the friendships I made. I was lucky to share a dorm with my classmates, and thanks to the internet, I have made lifelong friendships with people all over the world. I feel very lucky that I was able to share my culture and experience other cultures during my semester, which I now understand is just as important to my career.
Overall, my semester at Griffith University was more than an academic requirement 鈥� the exchange was a transformative experience. It contributed to my education by grounding global perspectives in media practice and confirmed my aspiration to pursue a career in journalism, storytelling, and digital communication.