Student Sutanya Dacres ’06 Embraces the Land of Boomerangs, Kangaroos, and Shrimp on the Barby

Sutanya Dacres ’06 has left her heart in Australia (or “Oz” to those in the know).

Dacres works in the University’s Study Abroad Office, where she talks enthusiastically to other students about the program. She knows exactly what she’s talking about. Last year Dacres spent her spring semester studying in Australia, and the experience opened her eyes to possibilities out in the world and within herself.

“By far, this is the best thing I have ever done in my whole life,” says the Bronx, N.Y., native.“It helped introduce me to my own curiosity and sense of discovery. I learned that I was much more independent than I thought I was.”
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Asked why she chose Australia as a destination, Dacres says she felt that a lot of people view it as some strange, far away land and hold many misconceptions about it. “I wanted to find out about Australia for myself.”

Dacres lived in the Western Australian city of Perth, which she describes as a “medium-sized city with a small-town feel.” A double major in international studies and modern languages at the University of Hartford, she took courses in general education at Edith Cowan University in Perth.

But it was living in another country on the other side of the globe that was the real education for Dacres, whose roommates were from Kenya, Norway, Malaysia, and Australia. She says the experience helped her focus on what she wants to do for a career and that she is grateful to her parents and the University for supporting her in the adventure.

“I think about Australia every day,” Dacres says. “And I still keep in contact with my Australian friends.”

Now Dacres is planning to return to Australia to earn a master’s degree in public relations. She hopes to work one day in a job that allows her to travel.

“I’ll go where the wind takes me,” she says. “The travel bug has gotten hold of me.”