Samantha Lasslett ’18
Number 42, October 20, 2015
Sam (Samantha) Lasslett ’18 travelled a long way from home – half way around the world – to attend the College of Coastal Georgia. The Melbourne, Australia student now makes the flight back and forth twice a year, for Christmas and the summer break.
“Sometimes it’s hard being so far from home, but I’m lucky to have a few Aussies on campus that relate to me. I miss my family, my friends, and my mom’s home cooking,” the sophomore admitted, “but everyone is so nice here, even strangers. And seeing more of the world, meeting new people, are two of the reasons I’m here. ”
She’s already been to California, where she fell in love with Yosemite, and has also visited South Carolina and other states in the Southeast through competitive tennis matches.
Lasslett is a member of the Mariner women’s tennis team, the recipient of the College Foundation’s Marta Torrey Women’s Tennis Scholarship as well as a Rose Endowed Scholarship. Improving her tennis game is important to her. She enjoys the game and stays competitive. “Without that, I wouldn’t be here in the first place!”
A biology major, she is drawn to the coastal ecology concentration. “Another reason for my choice of Coastal Georgia was the location – on the coast. I like the beaches on St. Simons and Jekyll islands. I’m a big fan of FUSE yogurt, island sunsets, going to the St. Simons pier and hearing live music, and my newest adventure – stand-up paddle boarding. And actually, I like the hot weather here,” she laughed.
Next summer her family will join her for a family vacation in the U.S. “We’ll meet in Los Angeles, then drive across to New Mexico, so I’ll see the Grand Canyon and the Southwest. Then we’ll fly from Albuquerque back to Georgia, so my parents can see the school,” she said. “I’d like to visit New York City, too. I miss Melbourne. Actually, I miss the city in general. There’s more energy and it’s actually much easier to get around because of the public transportation.”
“International work experience through an internship is one of my goals. I’d like something to do with the ocean and coast conservation,” she said. “I’ve been able to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and I was a member of the Blue Crew for campus student orientation this semester, so now I know many of the freshmen.”
Lasslett began playing tennis when she was nine years old. “My parents met while playing tennis. The game is part of our family life.” But as much as she likes to compete on the court, going pro is no longer her goal. “I’m more focused on my academic studies. Having this independence, making new friends, travelling, deciding my career – that’s what coming here is all about,” she concluded.