- My STEP Signature Project consisted of an internship this summer to Australia. I obtained this internship through the Fisher College of Business. I interned at Crowe Horwath in Sydney, a public accounting firm, from May 7 – July 9.
- I think this project helped me decide what I want to do with my career. During my time at Crowe, I learned a lot about tax accounting practices. I used Tax Return software, excel, and other programs to properly complete tax returns for our clients. It was a great learning experience as I got exposure to the world of tax accounting. Furthermore, I learned a lot about working in an office Monday-Friday 9-5. It was challenging at first adapting to office life, but once I got in a routine (and began drinking coffee) I found it easy. Along with this, I really learned to value my time outside of work. Luckily, I was able to travel all around Sydney going to different restaurants, attractions, and businesses. Although Sydney was similar to the United States, there were many interesting things I saw such as the diverse nature and different food I ate.
- One activity I really enjoyed was hiking on the Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains is a mountain range that the indigenous people of Australia once settled in. The nature there was beautiful and the hiking was tiring yet wholesome. I saw a lot of cool animals and plants roaming around that I have never seen before. The views from the mountain were also amazing and I’m glad I was able to experience this with other students from Ohio State.
- Another event I found transformative was the Australian spirit during the world cup and State of Origin. For these events, I went to the local sports bar down the road and it was crowded with people, way more than in the U.S. The World Cup was especially exciting as Australia was in the tournament and even won a game. The spirit of the Australian people was thrilling to me. Most of them wore face paint with green and yellow (the national colors) and were chanting various Australian phrases. Along with this, Rugby is a huge part of Australian culture. The State of Origin is a 3 game series between New South Wales and Queensland. I’m pretty sure everybody in Australian was watching these games. I found it similar to the Superbowl in the U.S.
- Lastly, the beaches in Australia were unrivaled to those in the States. The beaches are beautiful with crystal clear water. Despite it being Winter in Australia, I was able to swim a couple of times before the weather got too cold. Even in the Winter, the water wasn’t freezing like in the States. A couple of my favorite beaches were Manly and Bondi. Bondi was the typical touristy beach, but it was located in a beautiful coastal city. The waves here were huge and perfect for surfing. Manly beach was also in a very cool town, but was more laidback. There weren’t as many people at this beach.
- couple of my favorite beaches were Manly and Bondi. Bondi was the typical touristy beach, but it was located in a beautiful coastal city. The waves here were huge and perfect for surfing. Manly beach was also in a very cool town, but was more laidback. There weren’t as many people at this beach.
- My experience in Australia will and already has been a significant part of my life. Professionally, I’ve learned a great deal of Tax Accounting and wish to further pursue Tax after college. I’ve also made a few contacts in Australia including co-workers and friends. Being my first internship, I also feel comfortable working 40 hours a week in an office. Although not the most exciting job, I’ve learned to value my time outside of work as well. Additionally, I feel like I’ve accomplished a few personal goals. This is my first time out of the country and I learned a lot about adapting to new cultures. I also lived with 3 other random roommates and did not know anybody going to Australia. I made a couple of friends and learned to survive on my own. In the end, I learned a lot about personal responsibility and life after college.
