Visiting French student Angele Lecacheur has only seen the captive koalas at Rockhampton Zoo so far, but she's preparing to see their wild cousins on the islands off Mackay.

Angele's six-month internship experience with CQUniversity koala researcher Dr Alistair Melzer will form part of her Master of Biology - Terrestrial Ecosystems program based at her home institution, the University of Orleans, about one hour's drive from Paris.

The visitor will consult with Dr Melzer and specialists from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to prepare management plans for the koala populations on St Bees, Brampton, Rabbit and Newry islands.

During study breaks, she hopes to have time to visit famous Australian locations including the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru an Sydney.

Masters student Angele Lecacheur at CQUniversity Rockhampton Campus during her internship with the Centre for Environmental Management