Why Australia?

I get asked this question a lot, which is valid since Australia is an island, half way across the world for me. It is something that did not take me long to think about, and it will never be something I will regret.

To give you a little background, I will be spending my last semester of college studying abroad. Normally, institutions don’t allow this because I will be missing all of the “senior activities”, but with the world going through a pandemic, there were some loop holes to make it happen. I will be studying at Bond University in Robina, Queensland, Australia from January to April. I will be taking 4 courses while abroad and mixing it up by taking business and marine biology classes Now you may think, “Marine biology? What?! She’s a business major!” Well, this is where the “why Australia” gets answered.

Every since I was very young (as you can see from this picture), I have dreamed of studying marine biology and becoming a dolphin trainer. It might sound silly, but it is something most people don’t know about me, because now I am so involved in the business world. I know that marine biology is an unrealistic field of study for me, based on my future goals in life. But, I still enjoy learning about the basics and exploring nature as a hobby. Australia has been on my bucket list for a while, and when I found out I can travel there through college to study, I immediately knew this was going to be my study abroad destination.

I love all things tropical. I love ocean animals, I love the ocean environment like coral reefs, I love being outside in the sun, and I just love the overall feeling you have when you are anywhere near the beach. Funny thing is I am pretty scared to go in the ocean. I fear sharks, jellyfish, and stingrays. Do I enjoy watching them from a distance or behind glass? Of course! But unless I can see where I am walking and the water is pretty shallow, I do not like to go in the ocean. I have understood this would be a problem for me, since I want to snorkel or scuba dive around the Great Barrier Reef, but that is just where I am going to have to overcome my fears, because this is a case where my dreams will conquer my fears.

While I am abroad I will be able to take marine biology/environmental analysis courses, without having any previous knowledge of it. I have never felt more excited about taking courses, because although I love business and entrepreneurship, I have a hidden passion for marine life. I am especially excited for one of my courses, that is a week long on North Stradbroke Island, where we will be studying the largest dolphin population, along with other fantastic natural habitats and creatures. I will also be taking another marine biology course, and two marketing courses related to social media.

Leaving the US will be extremely hard for me, especially since Australia is halfway around the world and almost a day ahead of the US. This will be my first time traveling outside of the country and I have never felt more nervous, but confident and excited at the same time. My journey will be one I will never forget and I know I am going to face challenges. Learning to face them will be hard, but I know I will cherish and never forget this experience of a lifetime!

Keep doing what makes YOU happy!

Jessica