My month-long adventure through Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji was truly one of the best experiences of my life—full of unforgettable memories, incredible people, and moments I’ll carry with me forever.
Australia quickly became one of my favorite parts of the trip. I absolutely loved being in the water, especially exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Every day felt like a new opportunity to dive into something exciting—literally. The staff on the trip were amazing; they always made us feel safe, supported, and included. I’m still in contact with some of the kids I met there, which says a lot about how close we all became.
New Zealand was all about adventure. Whether we were exploring the outdoors or trying something new, every day was filled with adrenaline and fun. It had such a different vibe from Australia, but in the best way—more rugged, more wild, and so beautiful.
Fiji was absolutely stunning. One of the highlights was getting to paint a school, which felt so meaningful. Unfortunately, a few kids on the trip picked up a parasite and had to go to the hospital, but the staff handled everything incredibly well. They stayed with them, made sure no one felt alone, and took care of every detail. Even with the unexpected challenges, Fiji remains one of my favorite parts of the trip.
Some of my core memories were made on the Fourth of July. We celebrated with our own barbecue, swam in the pool, and sang USA songs—it felt like a little piece of home while being so far away.
Overall, this trip was unforgettable. From the adventures to the friendships and all the moments in between, it’s something I’ll always treasure
What was your funniest moment?
One of the funniest parts of the entire trip was when our group created a shared Instagram account. It started as a simple way to post updates, but it quickly turned into a hilarious highlight reel of the trip. We posted the most random, chaotic, behind-the-scenes moments—inside jokes, goofy pictures, and all the little things that made our group so close. Every time someone uploaded something new, we’d all burst out laughing. It became our unofficial trip diary, filled with the funniest stuff that only we would understand. It made the whole experience even more memorable and brought us all even closer together