As a study abroad student in Australia, I knew that I had to make it to Sydney to see the famous Opera House, Manly Beach and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. However, I had another wonderful reason to visit – my roommate Amelia is studying there this semester! With the exciting prospect of celebrating both of our 20th birthdays, this trip was going to be a reunion to remember! Leaving Townsville felt so strange, for though I had traveled throughout the semester, I had not embarked from the Townsville airport. After [...]

After our wonderful adventure sailing the Whitsunday Islands, we had time to relax in Airlie Beach! With pool time, shop exploring and didgeridoo lessons – plus didgeridoos for all three of the boys! – we kept ourselves quite busy! Our roommate, David, joined in on the fun for a night; it was great to hear about his travel stories. He had been traveling for a full year, including a trip to the US, Thailand, NZ, Asia, St. Petersburg area, and much more. Macca’s 30cent ice cream cones were also a [...]

This semester, JCU had a lecture recess (essentially fall break, or spring break for the Northern Hemisphere students!) in mid-April. Through a lot of planning, a group of American students decided that we would travel down the Queensland coast for our 11 day break. We booked our flights, talked with the JCU Travel agents, made hostel reservations and planned out our outfits…or maybe that was just me! However, it didn’t seem like we were about to embark on our first real trip since arriving in Townsville. A plethora of papers, [...]

Sorry it has been so long since I’ve posted, tis a whirlwind here in Townsville! I am making the (slow) transition from vacation to homework, midterms and actually being in school! However, I took a wonderful weekend “off” when I went with Calvary Christian Church to Airlie Beach, QLD for the Young Adults Empower Retreat. Not having taken a real road trip in Australia, I was thrilled when I was able to drive down with Jess, Jess, Michelle and Susan! We departed on Friday afternoon, leaving thoughts of assignments and [...]

Tuesday, March 6th was a wonderful day to spend in Australia – it was my birthday! I was wished a happy Australian birthday by Amelia Black in Sydney – check out her Aussie adventures at waltzingamelia.tumblr.com! It really made me feel at home, as if she was just in the room next door! The birthday wishes from my family were equally as special – right on the dot at midnight in Townsville! It was definitely going to be a challenge to be away from them, for though I am 20 years [...]

To truly acclimate to the Australian culture, one must experience life as an Australian. On the month-anniversary of my semester in Oz, what better way to celebrate then with a rugby game? Townsville is home to the North Queensland Cowboys, the Rugby League team for “our” state, and to the Dairy Farmers Stadium, their gracious hosts! On Saturday, March 3rd, bus loads of Uni students departed for the DFS for the Cowboys vs. the Gold Coast Titans. We purchased $12 tickets (student discount, and grass seats!!) and joined the hundreds [...]

On our “final” day of summer break, a few adventurous souls and I decided to try our hand at climbing the incredible mountains behind our school! Okay, okay…so they are not quite the same as the Big Horn Mountains. However, we started our trek after breakfast and reached the top of Douglas Mountain’s Hammerhead trail, we were getting pretty wiped out! The view was incredible – such a great time to spend with friends!   Me, Julius, Keely and Cody – trailblazing! Steph, Jen, me and Keely!  Spending the afternoon [...]

A “final” trip to the strand kicked off our JCU Orientation Week for 2012! Though a majority of our day was spent waiting on buses, it was worth it to finally cool off in the Rock Pool, a seawater pool created for the Townsville area. Upon returning to Uni Hall (Go Dragon Slayers!!), it was time to go to the Riverview Tavern, one of the local hangouts and our first real orientation event! Because the drinking age in Australia is 18, most students drink within their first year at uni. [...]

Waking up to the sun streaming through my windows and different variations of birdsong reminded me that I was definitely in Australia! Orientation sessions, touring campus and getting to know the dorm was a great first day. We met new friends – Nora, from Michigan, and Kiley, from Maryland – at dinner the night before, and traveled into town with them! Because the JCU Townsville campus is actually located in Douglas, we needed some guidance throughout the suburbs! Luckily, it is a quick bus ride from campus to Stockland Centre, one [...]

Thursday was the day when we would finally see our school/home for the next few months! After a short breakfast at Gilligan’s, packing up and saying our last goodbyes to our Cairns and Perth friends, we were on the bus and ready to go! Though we had all been exclaiming how tired we were, it was really difficult to fall asleep! Besides watching “Letters to Juliet” and hearing snippets of “Knight and Day” in the background, the countryside was truly breathtaking. We drove along the coast (left side, of course!) and enjoyed [...]

Yesterday was the most animal-lover-friendly of our entire time in Cairns! Starting out the day at the Rydges with our final session (Health and Safety, all parents should be reassured), we were gigging with the failure of an icebreaker and the anticipation of hugging a koala! The coach buses led us out of the city of Cairns onto a windy, narrow road climbing up hills that was oddly reminiscent of Big Horn Mountain Running Camp in Buffalo, WY (s/o to my 11-milers!). As we approached the large RainForestation! sign, everyone [...]

Waking up at 4 in the morning started off our first full day in Australia! However, the six of us girls (me, Nabila, Kristen, Sarah, Kelly, and other Emily!) were able to rest a little longer and go down to get “brekkie!” It was a great breakfast at the Rydges, complete with pineapple juice, traditional sausage, roasted tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, and, of course, Vegemite! I am waiting for the proper time to consume my first taste, but we had a fun time at our table looking at the brown, sticky [...]

Thus begins my “journey” to the land of wallabies and koalas, starting in Minneapolis on February 3 and ending in Cairns for the Bridging Cultures Program! As emotionally difficult as the entire “leaving experience” was (Mom and Dad, you held your own!), I seemed to be in a constant state of rushing from the extremely long line at MSP security until I was happily seated with AustraLearn companions in the LAX airport. With the need for tissues, a hug, a delayed flight and “Mockingjay,” the three flights passed relatively quickly. [...]

Two days until a very, very long travel day that will finally take me to Australia! The past few days have been a flurry of packing. Do I really need my pointe shoes? No. Should I refrain from packing another sundress? A resounding yes. My mom has been instrumental in helping me whittle down my piles; now all that remains are the practical and versatile things – who knew that those would be helpful?! With only a few remaining items, it will be time to close my suitcases and weigh them – hoping they are [...]