Kelly Kawa was ecstatic that she got to see koalas up close before heading back to Chicago.American student Kelly Kawa said goodbye to her student friends and the university which she called home for the last 3 ½ months this week (Wednesday, October 8) at a Going Home Ceremony for international students in Rockhampton.

Kelly was one of 44 students from 13 different countries who attended the ceremony at CQUniversity.

The 21-year-old has been studying the Bachelor of Professional Communication program while in Australia and has really enjoyed her studies and her time in Rockhampton.

A highlight of her stay has been a visit to Australia Zoo where she got to see koalas for the first time and of course she has relished time spent at the beach, both at the Sunshine Coast and close by at the Capricorn Coast.

Kelly relaxes in her room at CQUniversity's residential college.To wake up and see kangaroos outside her residential college room was also a special moment which would not have been possible if Kelly had chosen to study in a major city centre.

She will board a plane for New Zealand on Saturday for a brief holiday before heading back home to Chicago.

Kelly will study for another semester on her return before graduating from the Eastern Illinois University with a major in Communications.

But this might not be the last time we see Kelly as she hopes to return to Australia soon, possibly on a working holiday.

The crowd at the ceremony 
Students gather to celebrate 
Professor Angela Delves with husband and wife John and Samantha Kerr