Mingling with marsupials, swimming in waterfalls and the Great Barrier Reef, and turning friends into family during study abroad in Australia
– Brittany Patrick, SPC Student, Australia Vet Tech Program, December 2018
PART II
(Read Part I) This trip to the “land down under” was more than just a volunteer experience with like-minded veterinary nurses; it was an exploration of new cultures, new ecosystems, different animals, and of course food!
We visited all kinds of shops while exploring the city of Cairns, everything from your typical “touristy” shops with some really good souvenirs to places that supplied artwork by the Aboriginal peoples. We visited cafes along the way, tasting and sampling everything from meat pies to chocolate cookies.
Cairns Palm Cove shops. Photo by Sheba_Also, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 2.0].
The food was bountiful with a plethora of options to choose from. Most nights our group would stay together and enjoy each other’s company over Italian pasta, pub foods, or a mixture of burger and pizza selections. There were a few other nights where the local grocery store tempted us with fresh-made sushi rolls that tasted even better back at the hostel poolside.
Meeting Rainforest Wildlife
One of our outings involved taking a bus up to the Kuranda Rainforest, where I met my first Koala named “Paul” and I had the opportunity to hold him! He is a 2-year-old rockstar-resident of the wildlife park. We had the chance to mingle with red-legged pademelons, swamp wallabys, and an eastern gray kangaroo! We visited an aviary, home to 30+ species of tropical native birds and doves, as well as some friendly non-natives. The most impressive dinosaur of them all was the Southern Cassowary!
Photo by Georgel.pcs, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 4.0].
Our day trips led by a local Aussie took us to four different waterfalls, each beautiful and unique in its own impressive way. At the Milla Milla waterfall I shared the famous Herbal Essence hair-flip with a few friends before leaving the frigid yet refreshing water. The adventures continued as I met a wild bush turkey face to face and plucked a hitchhiker from my little toe (a leech to be exact).
We stopped to refuel on a few locally grown bananas at a roadside stand before ending our trip in the forest listening to the sound of humming insects and singing frogs.
The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef was perhaps the most memorable experience of my life. This was something I had dreamed about for a long time. Everything about that day was bliss. I was surrounded by friends headed to one of the most unique natural structures on our planet. When we arrived, it was even more breathtaking than I imagined.
The water was so calm it looked like a sheet of glass. Even the crew members made a point to comment on the serenity surrounding us, stating that they hadn’t seen a day on the water like this in many months. It was prime-time for diving and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef.
Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.
Photo by Dmitry Brant, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 4.0].
Peering off the boat’s side, I could see the reef in the blue waters below and the hundreds of fish that called it home. I spent hours, literally hours, swimming lazily around the Moore Reef in my stinger suit, snorkel, and fins, taking in the sites of various corals, colorful anemones, fish, eels, urchins, starfish, sharks, sea turtles, and jelly fish.
There is nothing like the GBR to compare it to. Among all the life was also death. Stressed corals and those that had already been bleached, could be seen dying from warming water temperatures. It was crushing, yet inspiring to continue to be the change you want to be in this world. Every action we take has a consequence, good or bad. Becoming more aware of how your daily life is impacting the environment is crucial and allows you to take the necessary steps towards a cleaner tomorrow.
The Benefits of Study Abroad
This study abroad program granted me the opportunity to focus on inner growth and finding balance in my life. It helped me grow both professionally and personally. The volunteer work was meaningful and encouraging and the adventures we had as a group changed us from strangers to family.
The Australian culture is inviting and cheerful. This trip helped me to learn even more about the pressing issues facing our wildlife and their habitats but also about the actions being taking to make a change. The memories I have made in Australia are unmatched and I can only hope that someday I can re-visit this beautiful country.
– Brittany Patrick, SPC Student, Australia Vet Tech Program, December 2018
Thank you for sharing Brittany!
Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!
blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4735 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu
Cover photo: Clownfish, Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Australia by leonard low – https://www.flickr.com/photos/leonardlow/340824760/, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY 2.0].