 In September 2010 , Robbie confirmed rumours that she was to leave Neighbours after almost three years . Of her reason to leave Robbie said " I want to go to America ; it 's always been my goal to work in Hollywood . It 's the one stage in my life where I have absolutely nothing holding me down " . Robbie filmed her final scenes in October and her character left on @-@ screen in early 2011 . Robbie later revealed her character 's exit is positive and that Donna departs Ramsay Street for a fashion design school in New York . Robbie said " It is very daunting for Donna at first . Ringo was the one who applied for Donna to do this course – it 's like he 's doing this one last thing for her . " She said that Donna becomes determined to be a success and that it is her last chance to live up to Ringo 's expectations of her . Robbie added that she wanted Donna to go to rehab or have a dramatic death , but she got a " boring old happy ending " instead . 
