Hi! My name is Haley Mahony and I am studying Computer Science and Information Security at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan, New York. I am from New Jersey, about an hour from New York City.

I have always wanted to travel. The experience and growth gained from traveling is something that I reach for. While studying I have always wanted to study abroad for a semester, and when my college in America offered a program in Australia, I was interested immediately. Australia was a place I always dreamed of going and I was accepted into the study abroad program with an internship included for a cyber security organisation. This was incredible, to travel and study in another country as well as have an internship was an awesome opportunity.

My experience at the University of the Sunshine Coast has been incredible. The staff is so understanding and really care for each student. I have made many friends from USC international as well as living in the accommodation on campus. I have traveled a lot in 4 months including, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Fraser Island, Whitsundays, Cairns, Byron Bay, Sydney, Melbourne and Uluru and Kata Tjuta. I also traveled internationally to Bali and New Zealand. USC is located in the Sunshine Coast which is just beautiful. The beaches, the hikes, the rainforest. Queensland is so nice, and studying in Australia has given me so many opportunities and it has truly been the best 4 months of my college experience. I finished my time with a Diploma in General Studies, completed my internship, and was involved in USC International Brand Ambassador program. I have gained so much from studying at USC and I’m so thankful to have picked USC to study at.