In 2014, Issy Rushton was a spunky 15-year old girl who charmed the community of Florence, Oregon with her enthusiasm, energy, and cool Australian accent. She describes her experience as an ICES exchange student as the most pivotal six months of her life—a life that is now brimming with impressive accomplishments.
Issy says living in Oregon was a wonderful experience. She loved the people, the strong sense of community in her small host town, and the way Americans are proud of their country. Her favorite memories include attending high school football games, running on the cross country team, and making life-long friends. Being an exchange student gave Issy the opportunity to “live outside the box” and do something most people don’t experience. “I grew so much and learned independence, and how to look after myself.”
Issy and her host family at Crater Lake National Park
After her host family took her to a University of Oregon football game, Issy decided that attending college in the U.S. was something she had to do. She wanted to experience living on campus and being part of a sorority—both of which are uniquely American, and are, in Issy’s words, “the coolest thing ever”.
Oregon Ducks football
Upon completing her semester exchange and returning to Australia, she unveiled her plan to her parents—who promptly told her “no”. Fortunately, Issy had two more years of high school to complete, and was able to use that time to convince her parents and get their blessing.
After exploring her options, Issy decided on the University of South Carolina as her college home, even though she had never visited the campus. Ironically, Issy’s current role as a University Ambassador includes giving campus tours. She likes to tell her tour groups, “I’m happy to give you the campus tour I never got!”
USC football game
On her first day of college, Issy walked into her dorm not knowing a single person. She explains how being an exchange student was an excellent transition to independence. “When you’re an exchange student, you’re away from home, but you have the support of your host family and your Local Coordinator to help you. That experience gave me the confidence I needed for college, where I was really on my own.”
In her four years at USC, Issy has accomplished the goals she set for herself—and more. She not only joined a sorority, but is the Chapter President of Alpha Chi Omega where she leads the third largest national chapter and manages an excecutive board of 14 members.
Her long list of accolades includes interning for a congressman, working for South Carolina Women in Leadership, organizing substantial fundraisers for various causes, and being the first international student to be elected as USC’s Student Body President.
Living in South Carolina has allowed Issy to enjoy a subculture of the U.S. that is quite different from what she experienced in Oregon. She says, “The South has a different political climate, a slower pace of life, and people are never in a rush to tell a story! They say ‘y'all’, ‘ma’am’, and ‘sir’, and they hold doors open for you.”
A conversation with Issy revealed that not only has she adopted some of those southern words into her daily vocabulary, but she has also traded in her Australian accent for a smooth southern drawl. With a giggle, she explains, “People ask me what part of the South I’m from, and I tell them, ‘You keep going waaaay south, all the way to Australia. That’s where I’m from.’”
This spring, Issy is scheduled to graduate from USC with a double major in Psychology and Criminal Justice, and then plans to take a gap year before continuing on to law school in the U.S. Long-term, she would like to remain in the U.S. to work in public policy, and eventually become a citizen.
All of us at ICES wish Issy the very best, and have every confidence that she will achieve her ambitions. We are proud of her accomplishments and delighted to have played a part in her story.
