It's destination Italy for first exchange student from Shoalhaven Campus

Jun 25, 2007

When Scott Deakes from UOW's Shoalhaven Campus departs for Ripatransone in Italy on June 27 he will become the first exchange student to do so from the Shoalhaven.

The Nowra resident is off to join other students from around the world to take part in a two and a half weeks' program called the International Summer School (Intensive Program) Democracy, Inclusion and Active Citizenship. Scott will be studying "Democracy and Civil Society".

The summer school is a joint initiative of the member universities of the Utrecht Network. His trip is being hosted by the University of Bologna.

His study in Italy will be credited towards his Bachelor of Arts through UOW's system of offering internship subjects. It is one of the innovative ways in which the School of History and Politics is seeking to help students to maximise and internationalise their degrees.

Scott is doing a double major in Community and Environment and Politics.

"My aim is to one day work in the political field so that I can influence policy affairs and, at the same time, assist disadvantaged people", Scott said.

Scott has been trying to raise funds for the trip through a variety of means including conducting an exhibition basketball match to being sponsored to lose weight. [And, yes, he has shed some kilos -- 16 in all].

His tutor at the Shoalhaven Campus, Debra Evelyn, has been assisting Scott in his fund-raising efforts and Debra is still keen to hear from anybody who can help in this area by emailling her at debra_evelyn@uow.edu.au