The main objectives of my STEP Signature Project included studying various human impacts on Australia’s natural environment, understanding diverse ecological relationships between natural ecosystems, and bringing previously learned knowledge from inside of the classroom to the outside. Some of my main academic goals included learning principles of ecological, land, and resource management, directly witnessing the impacts of climate change on Australian lands, as well as gaining hands-on experience in order to be a more well-rounded Environmental Science student. Spending three and a half weeks in North Queensland allowed our student group to explore two of the World Heritage Sites, the Wet Tropics and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as expand our horizons past the limits of the United States.
During my time in North Queensland, many assumptions about myself and my view of the world transformed in ways that surprised me. Firstly, I discovered that I am more open-minded, courageous, and empathetic than I previously thought. From lost luggage in the airport to steep and difficult hikes to seasickness on the boat that took us to the Great Barrier Reef, my trip to Australia involved an array of obstacles. I learned that I was not only mentally and physically able to overcome these hurdles, but that I could also extend empathy to my classmates who dealt with similar issues. Additionally, I felt courage take over in instances where I was not sure if I could keep hiking or swimming. Our three and a half week long study abroad experience was demanding and I found that when necessary, I was able to rise to the challenge.
Furthermore, my view of the world changed immensely as I began to change. Throughout our trip I found myself comparing Australian customs, traditions, and values with my own, trying to make sense of the differences and similarities I noticed. For example, I questioned the United States’ approach to climate change management and wondered if we should learn from Australian management techniques. By the end of my study abroad experience, I felt that my understanding of Australia had broadened quite a bit and that my view of the world had shifted. Even after I arrived home, I routinely pondered things like ecological relationships within natural ecosystems and the diversity of Indigenous cultures. Overall, both my understanding of myself and my world view have transformed after studying abroad in Australia.
Our Australian itinerary was jam-packed with excursions, lectures, in-class activities, hands-on learning opportunities, and time spent in the field. As a group, we were away from things we were familiar and comfortable with. In my opinion, this was a perfect recipe for growth and transformation. During our first part of the trip in Hidden Valley, we were subject to long windy roads, steep uphill hikes, dehydration, and physical exhaustion. I had to look past these things so that I could enjoy breath-taking views, mesmerizing sunsets, and the diverse wildlife that Hidden Valley had to offer. Specifically our hike to the bottom of Wallaman Falls was challenging. With 1,000 feet of elevation gain in a little over a mile, this proved to be the hardest hike I had ever finished. However, I quickly found the courage and motivation within me to finish the trail along with my other classmates, proving to myself that I could do it. It is safe to say that our time in Hidden Valley was the first step toward my physical and mental transformation.
After Hidden Valley, we spent time in smaller towns such as Mareeba and Atherton. It felt like we were all just counting down until our time in Port Douglas where we were able to finally explore the Great Barrier Reef. When that weekend arrived, I felt mentally ready to snorkel, unaware of the dehydration, seasickness, and bodily weariness that awaited me. Once again, I persevered and decided to stay brave even after losing the initial strength I had. Ultimately, because I stayed open minded and easy going, the Great Barrier Reef became one of the best parts of my study abroad experience. During this time, we were lectured on the dangers that the Reef is currently facing and the techniques that are being used to combat these. This is the first time that I remember feeling like my view of the world was truly beginning to change; as I compared the United States’ water management techniques to Australia’s, I began to question why our country was not doing its part to help fight the destruction that many of our ecosystems are facing. When I saw the amount of healthy corals that had recovered from the recent bleaching event, it felt like the U.S was behind in terms of restoration projects, conservation efforts, and preservation attempts. Going through these thought processes allowed me to continue my transformation as an Ohio State global education student.
Finally, the very last transformational experience that helped me to grow and change was that I met and became close with many other Ohio State students who went through this study abroad experience with me. Being together for the entirety of the three and a half weeks taught us all patience, empathy, and compassion. I learned to be someone that my classmates could lean on, talk to, and relate to when they needed a hand. Some of them became that person for me. We overcame obstacles together and in turn grew closer; I still talk to a few of them every single day! Building these relationships was ultimately one of the most rewarding things about studying abroad in Australia because I know that I can reach out to any one of these students in the future if I need anything at all. By pushing myself out of the usually shy comfort zone I like to be in, I was able to become a part of the support system we built together and transform into a more empathetic version of myself. I know I have become a substantially stronger person through the challenges I faced on this trip, both mentally and physically.
Overall, the self-transformation that Australia pushed me to go through will positively impact the rest of my college career, my post-graduate plans, and my future career. I am confident that the growth I achieved by becoming more adaptable as a person will help me in future decision making and in improving my personal relationships. By venturing to Australia, I learned much more than I ever would have by sitting in a lecture hall or listening to a recorded lecture. Seeing things for what they were and absorbing information as I traveled from place to place truly aided me in my transformational experience. I feel that I will value these three weeks far more than I initially anticipated because I was able to connect with countless new people, places, and experiences. There is no doubt that the relationships I built in North Queensland will be long-lasting and useful as I look for careers within different environmental research fields. For example, I feel confident that if I ever needed a reference for a job application, my resident directors would be happy to write one for me.
Besides academics, Australia helped me to become a more open-minded and confident student; I value this type of personal growth beyond any others. As cheesy as it may sound, I truly feel like a changed individual and I owe this to my journey abroad. I strongly believe that growth cannot take place without a hurdle or two in the way, and I know that this study abroad program pushed me out of my comfort zone in order to flourish. I am excited to bring the skills I learned, the people met, and the places I explored with me wherever the future years may take me.
.
