Review of Studying abroad with ISV in Australia- An Impact on Me

This trip was a dream come true. I had always wanted to go to Australia since I was little. To be able to go there, and make a positive impact on the environment while I was there was life changing. This was the best trip I've ever been on.

I went for 2 weeks to volunteer and had so much fun doing so. We were a few hours outside of Sydney, in cabins surrounded by subtropic rain forests. When we weren't planting trees or eradicating invasive species of plants were were exploring the towns near us. I got to see some of the culture and talk to the locals.We visited small towns, ate at restaurants, explored local nature wonders. It was truly an eye opening experience.

The trip made a huge impact on me as a person. While there we focused on learning how to be more sustainable, and how need need to protect the earth. Coming home I tried to keep the those lessons in mind, to this day I am still trying to live that out! Our Cabins were small, and roomed 4 people each, and did not have a heater. I didn't mind this, because we used Hot water bottles to warm us, it really wasn't that bad. In the main cabin area with the kitchen and room to hang out in we had to start a fire to warm it. We also took showers with rain water that had been collected. These all gave me a different perspective on how we live, and the changes we can make to be more environmentally friendly.

My group had 7 students in it, from Europe, Canada, and The USA, as well as 2 Tour guides, one an Australian local, one from New Zealand. It was interesting to learn about each others cultures and share experiences with each other. One night we all roasted marshmallows together, and another day we made pancakes with maple syrup in them (American and Canadian traditions) which were fun to share with the group.

We didn't really have lot of internet connection.I liked this because it forced me out of my comfort zone, and made me more present in the moment. I'm thankful for it now because it allowed me to put all m focus in to enjoying the moment while I was there.

Bottom line this was one of the most memorable, influential, impacting adventures I have ever been on. The people I got to interact with, the experiences we shared, will carry on with me throughout life. I hope to travel with ISV again, as soon as I am able to.