Why did you decide to study abroad with CE?
Eryn: I was in my final year of graduate school, feeling restless and in need of a change. I had always wanted to study abroad but never had the opportunity to do so while I was an undergrad. I worked as a teacher’s assistant and luckily one of my students referred me to CE. I was pleased that the program rates were affordable, and CE offered outstanding services to help me feel supported throughout the entire study abroad experience- from locating housing and finding an internship, to obtaining a visa and a flight, to any other inquiries I may have had throughout my stay in Australia. The CE staff was available to answer my questions and I felt the program effectively catered to the needs of its participant. I left America feeling safe and prepared because of the assistance I received from CE.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Eryn: Studying abroad helped me gain clarity on what is truly important in my life. I also learned more about the delicate balance of pleasing others without compromising myself and not allowing the expectations of other people to determine my destiny. I returned to America with a stronger ability to nurture my personal needs.
Professionally, working at a nutrition clinic was a valuable experience for me because I was able to observe how nutritionist and health educators interact one on one with private clients and the steps they take to successfully implement lifestyle changes into a client’s life.
Most importantly, during my time abroad I met very special people. I made friends with an amazing lady who is now like a sister to me, and I connected with a wonderful Aussie who I am still very excited to call my boyfriend! I feel blessed for the mates the universe introduced me to overseas.
What did CE do for you and what did you need to do on your own?
Eryn: CE made the study abroad process very simple. They conducted interviews with possible internship sites and eventually set me up with the best possible match. CE located my home-stay, which was only about a mile and a half from my internship, making for a convenient daily commute. CE sent me all the information I needed to successfully obtain the proper work visa and even gave me guidance on purchasing affordable airfare. Throughout my time in Australia, the CE staff was always available for answering questions and offering assistance as needed.
In the initial preparation stages, I filled out questionnaires and participated in interviews in order for CE to align my interests with the most suitable internship site and home-stay. Because of the high level of professionalism and customer service at CE, once I was placed in an internship and assigned a home-stay, all I needed to do was purchase my airline ticket and work visa, make sure I had a current passport and pack my suitcase!
Tell us about an experience you had that you could not have had at home.
Eryn: I celebrated my first Australia Day, a holiday observing when the English colonized Australia, comparable to America’s Thanksgiving. Because Australia Day is in January, the hottest summer month, the Aussie’s honor it much like the US celebrates Independence Day, with beach barbeques, picnics in the park, dips in the ocean and frothy beers. I had already met my boyfriend and wonderful new mates when Australia day came around, so we gathered our coolers and coozies and headed for the marina. We spent the day meandering the foreshores of Sydney Harbor abroad Partisan, a 27-foot sailboat. The sounds of Triple J’s Top 100 Countdown resonating through the air, we shared stories and laughs, indulged our taste buds and filled our bellies, escaped the heat with an occasional splash in the sea and simmered under the tangerine fireball high in the turquoise sky. As twilight approached, we dropped the anchor and settled into the balmy night. With the gentle rock of the incoming tide and the stars glistening above, we cuddled in the bow of the boat and fell into a peaceful slumber.