Natchez resident Meg O’Beirne will soon find out what Australia is like and hopes to share a little bit of Natchez during the experience. O’Beirne, 22, will travel to Australia next year to attend college and serve as an ambassador through the Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship.

O’Beirne said she is not quite sure what to expect.

But from studying the country, she believes there are a lot of stereotypes about Australia – from film character &uot;Crocodile&160;Dundee&uot; to kangaroos.

In addition to seeing the country, O’Beirne will be working towards her master’s in business administration at the University of Western Sydney, Macarthur Branch in Campbell Town, New South Wales, Australia.

She will also be speaking at Rotary Clubs in Australia as part of her scholarship.

&uot;It’s going to be an incredible experience no matter how you look at it,&uot; she said.

During her speeches, O’Beirne will be representing the state of Mississippi, but she expects to give Natchez special attention.

&uot;I have lived here all my life, so there is a special connection that I feel to Natchez,&uot; she said.

There is also &uot;so much of (Natchez’s) history and culture that I would like to&uot; share, she said.

O’Beirne has traveled to South America and Europe, but Australia will be a new experience for her.

And of the five schools she was interested in attending, the school in Australia was her first choice.

&uot;I had never been to Australia and I thought it would be an exciting adventure — of course,&uot;&160;she said.

She thought the trip would be &uot;something different and unique and exciting.&uot;

O’Beirne decided to apply for the Rotary Scholarship Program through the encouragement of local Rotary member Albert Metcalfe.

&uot;He has just been a very dedicated and self-giving sponsor,&uot; she said. &uot;He’s just been instrumental throughout it all.&uot;

She was also inspired by her brother, Patrick, who took part in the program in 1997.

O’Beirne will leave for Australia in April and spend a year in the country.

In the next few months, she will be working in Natchez and learning more about her trip.

&uot;I think the unpredictably of everything is part of the fun,&uot; she said.

After she returns to the United States, O’Beirne would like to continue to go to school to pursue a career in occupational therapy.

O’Beirne is the daughter of Tommy and Pokey O’Beirne.