Calling Canberra home

From the bustling streets of Singapore to the friendly villages of England and the hygge-filled corners of Denmark, Kira's childhood reads like a world travel guide. Her family finally settled in Canberra during high school, so she decided to stick around for uni.

Choosing to stay in Canberra wasn’t just a whim. Living with family meant she could save money for future travels and studies abroad—smart, right? Plus, Canberra's clean, safe and calm vibes were a huge win. And let’s not forget the unbeatable perk: being able to hit the beaches on the NSW south coast and the snow in Thredbo and Perisher with equal ease. Who wouldn't want the best of both worlds?

Despite living off-campus, Kira dove headfirst into university life. She started a Bachelor of International Security Studies, a subject area she hadn't heard of before uni, and found her tribe within ANU clubs and societies, where she didn’t just participate—she organised. Serving on the committees for the Australia-China Youth Association and the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific Students’ Society, Kira discovered that organising events was as exhilarating as it was educational. Who knew that planning could teach you so much about leadership and logistics?

Discovering global opportunities

ANU was an obvious choice for Kira, given her passion for Asian languages and her dream of studying abroad. Securing an early offer was a game-changer, making Year 12 a lot less stressful. However, a last-minute change of heart led her to apply to the University of Tasmania (UTAS). ANU won her over and she's been singing our praises ever since.

One lecture into her degree and she was hooked. Imagine falling in love with something you didn't even know existed—that's the magic of uni for you.

Kira’s time at ANU has been peppered with incredible educational and work-ready opportunities. One standout was her involvement in the Asia Pacific Week Internship, where she helped plan and run an academic conference. Working at East Asia Forum, based out of the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy, has been another highlight. Here, she’s been exposed to a wide range of exciting ideas and research topics, all while rubbing elbows with leading academics and fellow students.

But Kira’s adventures didn’t stop on the ANU doorstep. Her semester-long exchange at the University of Tokyo was a dream come true, thanks to the Ethel Tory Language Scholarship and a mobility grant from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs. Imagine studying full-time in Tokyo, making friends from all over the world, and indulging in sushi on the regular. Sounds like a sweet deal, right? She loved it so much that she’s now doing the ANU Year in Asia program at Hitotsubashi University in Japan, supported by the New Colombo Plan scholarship. Thanks to the ANU Global Programs team, the Canberra to Tokyo gateway has given her some unforgettable experiences.

Living off-campus with her family has been a terrific way for Kira to balance university and home life, though it involves a daily commute. Still, ANU is her academic home. Now, Kira is considering pursuing postgraduate studies at ANU and can’t imagine doing this elsewhere. The support from the University and the inspiring global scholars she’s met during her bachelor's degree have made a lasting impact.

A journey just beginning

Kira Atkins proves that embracing every opportunity can lead to an enriching and exciting academic journey. It's not just about where you start but how you make the most of the ride. So, here’s to Kira—our globe-trotting and ANU scholarship-winning Canberra-Tokyo enthusiast. The world is her oyster and she’s on her way to reaching her dreams.