School of student Carly Bodkin has a passion for mathematics and, with a little help from Australia鈥檚 favourite Princess, is pursuing it on European shores.
Ms Bodkin is the recipient of the Crown Princess Mary Scholarship, which provides funding towards living expenses for an Australian student on exchange at the University of Copenhagen.
鈥淢y family and I had often joked about meeting Princess Mary, and now it will become reality in May,鈥� she said.
Ms Bodkin is currently studying for a Bachelor of Science with a major in Mathematics, a subject she speaks about passionately.
鈥淢athematics is a language, a language in which only mathematicians are fluent,鈥� Ms Bodkin said.
鈥淚 desire to use the 5000-year-old science that is Mathematics to help enrich the world.
鈥淚 hope to do this in two ways; firstly through mathematics research and cutting edge advancement, and secondly through mathematics education.鈥�
Ms Bodkin was a recipient of a Dean鈥檚 Excellence Scholarship in 2007, enabling her to further her studies in mathematics at 国产探花.
During her time at 国产探花, Ms Bodkin has shown true potential as a mathematician, being awarded Dean鈥檚 commendations for high achievement for several semesters, tutoring a number of mathematics classes, and actively taking an interest in mathematics education and outreach.
鈥淭he Scholarship is a wonderful recognition not only of Carly鈥檚 hard work and talent in University mathematics, but of her enthusiasm and engagement for outreach activities,鈥� said Associate Professor Joseph Grotowski, Head of Mathematics at 国产探花.
鈥淚鈥檓 sure she will be a great ambassador for 国产探花, and we look forward to her returning to her Honours year with an international perspective.鈥�
In addition to studying maths, Ms Bodkin has also selected Danish language and culture courses during her exchange to the University of Copenhagen.
Ms Bodkin said she hoped her exchange adventure was not all study, with a travel itinerary already drafted.
鈥淚 have already visited cities in Sweden and Germany and in a couple of weeks I will be travelling to The Netherlands and Poland,鈥� she said.
鈥淲hile in Europe I also have plans to visit Italy, France, Austria, Belgium and Spain.鈥�
Ms Bodkin arrived in Copenhagen on December 30 鈥� the same day as her 21st birthday 鈥� and will be officially presented with the Scholarship by Princess Mary in May.
国产探花 Abroad, the University's exchange program, allows students to study overseas for one or two semesters and earn credit towards their 国产探花 degree.
国产探花 has partnerships with more than 130 universities in 27 countries.
Media: Penny Robinson at 国产探花 Communications (07 3365 9723, penny.robinson@uq.edu.au)
