Embarking on a two-month Global Exchange to Queens University in the UK will be Riley Dolman’s longest time away from home.
But it’s hardly the first travel the 22-year-old University of WA student has done through the McCusker Centre for Citizenship in recent years.
In 2018, the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology student completed a three-month internship at not-for-profit organisation Fair Game in the Pilbara.
The following year, he was one of three chosen to represent the McCusker Centre for Citizenship at the Matariki Network of Universities’ third-annual Global Citizenship Forum at Durham University in the UK.
“I chose the McCusker Centre for Citizenship for exchange as the previous experiences that I have had with the Centre and the citizenship work that they engage with has always been fulfilling and has assisted in some many aspects of my personal development,” the Ocean Reef resident said.
“Additionally, the Matariki Network has provided me many opportunities to grow myself as a person and grow my network of great young people around the globe.”
During his exchange, Mr Dolman will conduct a research project on student experiences of self-care and wellbeing.
“Engaging in a short term research project will be great for me to be able see the academic side of the things that I hope to achieve in my lifetime,” he said.
“I am really looking forward to working in a space that will be extremely multicultural and expanding my understanding of people from a large range of countries.
“I see the work that I will be doing will be a good first step to explore my interests outside of the classroom.”
Shortly after he arrived at the university in early January, Mr Dolman admitted his first priority was to explore the different nooks and crannies of the old castle and grounds that houses the university.
“I think my largest challenge will be balancing my life with all the exciting work and opportunities that we will have and all the places I will have a chance to explore,” he said.