Buckhannon, W.Va. — Thanks to the generous support of the Honorable Robin Jean Davis International Scholarship, Buckhannon native and current West Virginia Wesleyan College student Riley Queen recently completed an unforgettable four-week study abroad program in Bali, Indonesia.

Through the Upskill Study Program at Udayana University, which promotes “moving formal classrooms to local communities abroad,” Queen, a senior art and graphic design major, studied sustainability and coral reef restoration. And as a component of the intensive program, she attended courses on the Balinese language, eco-tourism, and sea turtle conservation while exploring the Indonesian island.

“The Davis International Scholarship I received through Wesleyan covered the full tuition, accommodations, field trips, as well as the majority of the travel expenses,” Queen said. “Without scholarship support, this amazing experience would not have been possible.”

As a result of her experience, Queen decided to dedicate her life to ocean advocacy.

“I was surprised to learn how active the Indonesian culture is in promoting sustainability. For instance, there are zero single-use-plastics available,” Queen explained.

She added, “The Balinese people depend on the ocean and the beach for economic stability. The opportunity to view the destruction of coral reefs and swim with whales and other ocean life has left a lasting impression. I want to use my graphic design degree to help promote sustainability efforts that protect the beautiful ocean ecosystem.”