Welcome to the Last Blog of the Summer at ISU SSP in France!

ISU SSP finally came to a close Friday the 28th August 2010.  The last month of this course has been at a frenetic pace, (trying to explain the gap in blogs!)  Summer is coming to an end in France too.  The lavender in front of the ISU building started dying two weeks ago and nights require a jacket and scarf. 

My graduation yesterday along with my 120 fellow ISU-Nauts as they are sometimes called by the staff was an amazing and beautiful experience.  One by one, we were called up and our classmates clapped and cheered us. 

I am standing down the front with Angie Buckley on my left and Michael Simpson, on my right.

Each one of us was very proud to stand infront of our colleagues.  There was an incredible reception in Pioneers Hall and I felt a tinge of sadness as I walked off campus as a graduate of the International Space Universtiy Space Studies Program.  Sad because I know I can never have this unique experience again, but happy because of the new connections I have made.  Tomorrow we are each going to go our separate ways linked by the experience of ISU SSP.  

I am exited at the prospect of returning to my 'real' life, back in Australia with my friends and family and seeing what kind of impact the ISU SSP experience will have on me.  I want to thank every person who helped me to participate in this experience, without the support of my beautiful children and husband firstly, this just would not be possible.  My friends and family who have assisted at home over this 9 weeks have been a godsend, my Australian Sponsors, Andromeda Industries, UNE Law School, APESMA Connect Scholarship and the ISU SSP Funding Committee. 

Last but not least, the ISU SSP Staff, TA's, Department and Team project Chairs and Lecturers and the amazing SSP Class of 2010.  

Best Regards Kim Ellis ISU SSP Graduate 2010 

PS Watch this space- back on ABC Statewide with Helen Claire on my return in September!