Come Down Under - Weston Parker Page 0,1

this incredible place. And I would still be in love with it.

Before the last chime sounded outside, the door behind me opened and my advisor walked in.

Professor McDonald was an older man or, as I had learned they referred to him here, a “distinguished gentleman.”

Elegantly striding across the hardwood floor, he hung his leather satchel on its designated hook and smoothed out his jacket before taking a seat behind his desk.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Joyce,” he said, the corners of his lips tipping into a brief but polite smile. His blue eyes were sharp but kind as they rested unwaveringly on mine. “I trust you are well?”

“Very well. Thank you, professor.” I inclined my head gently, trying to mimic the poise with which people did things around here. “How about you?”

He waved a wrinkled hand in one short but somehow still graceful motion. “Oh, I’m fine. I wanted to meet with you to discuss the mentoring and internship opportunity in Australia.”

Hope sparked in my chest. I managed not to scoot to the edge of my seat and start bouncing in anticipation, but it was difficult not to. It’s time. It’s finally time.

“Yes, sir.” My voice came out a touch squeakier than I’d have liked, but my hands remained folded in my lap. Hopefully, there was no external sign of the bounciness I felt inside.

“I have good news for you.” He reclined in his shiny leather chair, but his calm eyes stayed on mine. “Congratulations. You have been selected as the successful candidate. I hope you’re still willing to relocate temporarily.”

It took everything I had not to jump up and break into a victory dance, but I restrained myself—for the moment.

“That’s wonderful news, professor.” I might not have broken out in a spontaneous dance routine, but I couldn’t stop a wide grin from spreading on my lips. “Thank you so much for choosing me. I’m more than willing to go.”

“It wasn’t only my decision, so there’s no need to thank me. You’re one of our top students. We’re proud of you and we know you’ll make us proud in Australia.”

“I will, sir.” I wasn’t even just grinning anymore. I was beaming. “I plan on making the most of the internship, learning as much as I can, and delivering an excellent final report.”

“I’m sure you will.” He laced his fingers together. “There’s one more thing that we expect from you while you’re there, though.”

“Anything, professor.” I was ecstatic about this opportunity. There was nothing they could throw at me I wouldn’t be willing to do to learn from one of the top businesspeople in the world.

My advisor peered at me over the top of his horn-rimmed glasses, reaching up to adjust them while sliding open one of his desk drawers. “We’re interested in developing an undergraduate course about the entrepreneur your internship has been set up with.”

“Okay.” Bubbles of elation still traveled through my veins. “If you’d let me know the information required, I’ll be sure to collect it while I’m there.”

He pulled out a thick manila envelope and placed it down in front of him, laying his hands over the top of it. “This is the material of a similar course to the one we’re looking at developing. It would be useful if you could look over this for a start. I’ve also included a list of basic information we’d need, as well as a rough-draft curriculum.”

I nodded. “I understand. You need me to populate the items in the curriculum in its current form and to trim and tailor it as I learn about them.”

Professor McDonald smiled, looking mighty pleased with himself. “You’re quite right. I knew you were the best candidate for the job.”

The hummingbird started doing its thing in my chest again. I couldn’t believe I’d actually gotten chosen for this. In two weeks, I’d be hopping on a plane to the other side of the world. I’d get to explore another country while helping to develop a course for future students and I’d get to learn from the best.

It was just mind blowing.

It didn’t mean there wasn’t a tiny twinge of sadness in my heart that I’d be leaving Oxford, but I was ready for this journey.

I’d be back here for graduation, after all. As much as I loved this town, not even the thought of leaving could dampen my enthusiasm.

The professor slid the envelope across his desk. “If you have any questions about what we expect of you, please let me know. I’ll also need your proposal for