Ashley
Australia
Studying abroad in Australia was always apart of the plan. I came to college knowing that my sophomore year spring semester would be spent in Australia. I thought I was all prepared to go, but I was still just a mess of emotions during my long ride to the airport not to mention the 5 hr plane ride to LA , the 13 hr plane ride to Brisbane, and then finally the 2 hour bus ride to Lismore. Once we finally got to Lismore I was overwhelmed with everything including trying to get groceries, not to mention basic things like a blanket and a pillow. The first night I got there I broke down in tears in the shower thinking I couldn’t do this. Then just as quickly as the tears came they were gone and I just thought to myself “oh my gosh I’m on the other side of the world!”, I kept picturing a globe in my head and where I was in Australia in comparison to 
Minnesota and I knew this experience was going to be amazing and it was something I will never forget.
I studied at Southern Cross University in Lismore. I took three classes while abroa;, Perspectives on Australia, Digital Photography, and Abnormal Psychology. The classes were different because instead of going to a class 2-3 times a week you just had a lecture and a tutorial. Which were often on the same day. Grades were mostly based on just a few items like a paper and an exam.
I really enjoyed going to SCU. The campus is built on hills as is much of the city. It’s surrounded by tons of foliage and what I referred to as “crawly things”, bugs, lizards, and spiders were all over the place. It was so cool to be walking to class and walk by all these tropical flowers then see a huge lizard. SCU was a smaller university and is about 50% international.
SCU had a lot of things for us to do. During the 1st week we went to Crumbing Wildlife Sanctuary, had a movie night a night at The One (a dance club downtown), and a day trip to Byron Bay. During the year the "Uni" put on activates like Scenic Bus tour, Scavenger hunt, and Race Day. But by far the best part of campus was the UniBar which would have live music Thursday, and a theme party once a month. Some of my favorite nights were spend at the Unibar with the amazing people I had met.
The university has 3 different student housing complexes called colleges. I lived in Sirius College and only had one other roommate who was from Japan. We each had our own bedrooms but shared the kitchen, 
bathroom, and lounge room. However, I can’t say I spent too much time there. Most everyone who lived in Sirius would all congregate around the picnic table or be in one of the units hanging out together.
I had the opportunity to travel all over the eastern cost of Australia while I was there. As a part of my program they offered different trips. During the 1st study break, I went to Frasier Island, which is the largest sand island in the world. It was a great week going to all the beautiful lakes and sand dunes, and getting to know the other international students.
I also got the opportunity to go to the Great Barrier Reef and spent a night on a boat. While on the reef we went to a few different parts of it to snorkel and I tried scuba diving for the first time. The reef was absolutely gorgeous with so many colors and cool fish. Some were absolutely huge I couldn’t believe it! It was so cool being at one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.
One of my favorite places was Surfers Paradise which was just a two hour bus ride north from Lismore on the Gold Cost. The beaches were beautiful and the city had great shopping and amazing night life.
Sydney took about 12 hours to get to by train but was only about $50, so it was definitely worth the night on a train. When I got there I couldn’t believe I was standing at the steps of the Sydney Opera house; it is such an iconic image and one you certainly think of when you think of Australia. But by far the highlight of the trip was climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We did it at about dusk so when we got to the top we saw the city all lit up. It was undoubtedly the best view of the city, almost comparable to the view from the Sydney tower. It was such a big city that even though I made two trips there I feel like I didn’t even come close to seeing it all.
Byron Bay was another place I went to often. It was just a 45 minute drive from Lismore and a great little beach town. SCU offered a free bus there once a month. I went to Blues Fest in March and it was one of my favorite weekends I spent in Byron; great music and people. A group of us spent a girl’s night there and it was one of the best and craziest nights in Oz. I also went Skydiving over Byron Bay, which is the most easterly point in Australia. It was such a surreal experience jumping out of a plane, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. The view was absolutely beautiful. It’s a memory I will never forget.
On my way home I stopped in Fiji. I had always wanted to go there since I was young. I can’t describe what it was like to actually be in Fiji, it felt like I was in a postcard. We went to 3 different islands while their, one of which is where they filmed the movie Blue Lagoon and Swiss family Robinson. Going to Fiji was a great way to leave Australia; a place that had become my home for 4 months. It made the long trip home more exciting knowing I got to go to a tropical paradise first.
Studying abroad in Australia was the best experience of my life. I would never exchange the memories I have for anything in the world. I met the most amazing people and experienced things I never thought I would. I learned things about myself and the things I am capable of doing. I would recommend to anyone to go abroad...especially to Australia. Its something you will never regret.
