Photo Contest - Fall 2005
Third Prize
"Where do I go from here?"
Jared Smith
West Coast Road, New Zealand (South Island)
Essay:
During
my study abroad program in Australia I had free time to visit
New Zealand, and get a taste of another country and culture
on the other side of the world. The tour I chose traveled
through the south island, allowing its college-age passengers
from around the world, to stop at any location, for any period
of time and be able to continue with the tour at any time.
This enabled my Aussie friends and I the opportunity to visit
various parts of the southern island.
While
traveling I noticed a variety of similarities and differences
between the Australian and New Zealand countryside. Although,
I found that New Zealand had more unique and diverse characteristics
in its landscape. During our bus rides between stops and the
activities available, the landscape never ceased to amaze
me, something new was just around every bend, cliffside, and
coastline we passed. That aspect of the trip triggered my
self proclaimed "travel bug" and curiosity for what just lied
ahead. During one of our stops along the West Coast Road bound
for Westport I walked along the shoulder of the road watching
the surf and breathing the ocean air I saw this very intriguing
sign in the distance with arrows pointing in all directions.
By analyzing each arrows' direction and respective distance,
the fact that I was on the opposite side of the world from
home, once again it became clear. After capturing this image
I continued to study the arrows and thought about my destination
for the day - Westport , that's when my mind began to wonder.
I started to think of all the places I had visited thus far
in my life and just recently during my study abroad program.
I tried to think of where I will be at this time a year from
now, then 5 years, ten years. Following the arrows' directions'
I thought to myself; now that I have traveled to the opposite
side of my world why stop here? Each city represented a different
adventure and experience, which one will be the next stop
for me?
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Fall 2005 Study Abroad Photo Contest
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