Lenny Dowling | Class of 2022
Lenny graduated in Class of 2022 and is part-way through a double degree in International Relations and Law, having recently been a recipient of the Westpac Asian Scholarship Exchange program and studied in Tokyo.
What have you been up to since graduation?
“I didn’t know what to do after graduation! Feeling a little lost, I worked, saved, and then travelled Europe as is mandatory for young Australians seeking a bit of personal lore accumulation. After that, I decided I wanted to go to ANU, so I picked up my deferred offer for an International Relations undergraduate course and started in 2024. I lived on campus and fully embedded myself in uni life. After a year, I picked up a Bachelor of Law to go along with it. Then in the second semester of 2025 I moved to Tokyo for 6 months to do exchange. I only just returned this month, and though my time in Japan passed quickly, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
A highlight memory from school?
“Most memorable is probably our Class 11 camp in Kakadu. We had so many revelatory moments, wild sunsets, a combination of music and circus performances, and the opportunity to see a part of the country that I had no conception of. We got a good glimpse a few crocs which I was happy to tick off the list of goals.”
Something surprising that has happened since leaving school?
“Living in suburban Canberra and attending ANU wasn’t on the vision board, but I love it. It sounds like I’ve prematurely aged myself, but I’m really surprised at how swiftly the time passes. At one moment you’re fresh faced and overwhelmed by unfamiliarity, and the next thing you know the buildings and scrub of a once unfamiliar town are etched in your mind. I’ve loved that process, and also feel that I’ve learned as much in the classroom as I have outside, moving through different parts of the world.”
Teacher memory of Lenny: “It is no surprise at all that Lenny is moving through the world with ease. Lenny is one of the most beautiful writers I have read, and I was so happy to know he was studying in Tokyo. Memorably, in Class 8 he submitted a story in Japanese.” Alix | Guardian
