My study abroad experience overflowed with opportunities for adventure, like scuba diving for in the Great Barrier Reef, nurtured a deeper connection with the natural world and local communities around me, such as the loving bond I formed with my family in Naiseuseu, and constantly inspired me to question the world around me, such as the ethics of ego-centrism or constructing a TMT atop Mauna Kea. Discover Abroad seriously emphasises the “discovery” aspect of study abroad. This trip of a lifetime pushed me to discover the world around me, discover my own values, and discover how classroom concepts and conversations can be applied to real-world scenarios.
What was your funniest moment?
While staying in Carnarvon Gorge (CG) in Australia's Outback, we had lots of encounters with kangaroos, wallabies, and sugar gliders, amongst other animals! While walking around camp one morning, a kangaroo came bouncing over to me at full speed, which was terrifying! Right before reaching me, the kangaroo came to an abrupt stop and nudged my hand, asking me to pet it. After getting over how hilarious the situation was and petting the kangaroo for awhile, I went to find a guide to question the domesticated nature of this kangaroo. He informed me that the kangaroo's name was Francis, and it'd been raised by CG guides after it'd been abandoned by it's mom. Now, it roams around camp saying hi to visitors and scaring people half to death upon first encounter!
Pros
- Every day was chock-full of activties and new things to learn about!
- We experienced a range of landscapes, from very remote areas, like LEI, to urban settings, like Sydney.
- We met with local guides everywhere we went, which helped me appreciate each place.
Cons
- We had to pay for our own meals in the most expensive places we visited, which ended up being a lot of money.
