Why did you choose the study abroad program that you did?
I’ve grown up around Easton and wanted to spend a semester somewhere I have never been. I adore traveling and knew I wouldn’t have this chance to go somewhere like Australia for four months again. Cairns really stood out to me by offering a range of ecosystems to immerse myself in. I knew I couldn’t turn this opportunity away. I wanted to go somewhere flooded with peculiarities and somewhere without anyone or anything that I had known before.
What was your favorite course abroad and why?
Cultural anthropology and the environment. Similar to culture, knowledge, and the environment at Lafayette, this course dived into relationships between the humans, cultures, and ecosystems of North Queensland Australia. It was quite eye-opening to compare long-term practices of environmental protection to ethics and cultural distinctions.
What was your favorite local food or drink abroad?
The tropical fruit in North Queensland was marvelous. Australia also has the best coffee in the world.
What was the most important thing that you learned abroad?
That I have complete control over my life. I learned how to listen to myself and learn from past experiences. I was fortunate enough to only be with one other American, and during this time we pushed each other out of our comfort zones and ended up being completely free to make our own decisions no matter the outcome. It was an amazing experience being able to do so in a place so dissimilar to any of the other countries I have been to.
In what ways did you interact with your local community and culture?
I was heavily involved with the Australian Marine Conservation Society towards the end of my visit and was able to grasp a better understanding of how their non-profit organization worked. Other than that, I made many friends from around the area and was involved in some community groups on campus as well. Our program also introduced us to the culture of aboriginal lands and the people of FNQ (far north Queensland) by sending the two of us on excursions to learn about their history.
What tips do you have for students about to study abroad or considering going abroad?
Do something different! It is a great way to extract yourself from the known and put yourself out of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to try something new or scary and always remember that you are not alone if you do decide to make a drastic change.
In what ways did you grow as an individual while studying abroad?
Too many ways honestly. I became much more patient and understanding of other people around me. I think that I also really did learn to appreciate and understand my flaws as well. I was definitely able to grow in more ways than one by being alone most of the time too, which was a positive for me and allowed me to embrace every single part of me. I feel more connected to myself and much more appreciative of being humbled and naïve.
What is your most cherished memory of your abroad experience?
It’s hard to pick one out of the many, but I would say having the opportunity to travel. I spent a week in Fiji doing a project with the Peace Corps and CaPA Scholars focusing on music as a community builder. It was phenomenal to be able to experience such a beautiful area with a remarkable community. It wasn’t in Australia but if I hadn’t gone out there, I would have never been able to immerse myself in such a different culture. It was truly an honor to be welcomed into their village and explore their ways of living and loving through community.
