1.I used my STEP money to go to Australia and New Zealand, through a trip that was organized by the OAC at Ohio State.  We traveled around both countries for around 10-11 days, and most days consisted of hiking or high level intensity activities, such as mountain biking, snorkeling, etc.

2. During my STEP project, I was able to see the world outside the United States.  Throughout the program, myself as well as my colleagues noticed how different our own country was from both Australia and New Zealand.  For one, the countries are both eco-friendly.  They take initiative to make sure their home stays clean, and they do not allow littering whatsoever.  Another difference I noticed is the friendliness of the people.  Both countries loved to talk about their homeland, and it was amazing to see how proud they were of where they were from.  In addition, it was amazing to see lots of wildlife and take hikes through glaciers, rainforests, etc, especially since I had never been to places like this before.  I think the major transformations for me was how I looked at the world around me.  I was able to see the way that we should treat our world, and how we should take each moment in nature with a grain of salt, because someday we may not have access to this vibrant earth.  I took home the practices of sustainability that I learned in Australia and New Zealand and I will continue to use them frequently, but as I learned about sustainable practices, I was also able to learn about myself as well.

3. I gained my new found view of sustainability and confidence in myself throughout this trip through three categories: interactions with the people, interactions with the wildlife, and stepping outside my comfort zone to immerse myself in nature.

At the beginning of the trip, we were introduced to our trip leader, Anthony, who would be with us throughout our time in Australia.  From the beginning I could see how passionate Anthony was about showing us around the country and helping us see all it had to offer.  This was my first of many interactions with the locals, and throughout my time in Australia, and I had many conversations with people about the sustainability of the country.  While on a bus one time, I had a talk with a woman sitting next to me, and she spoke of how highly they regard their sustainability system.  They fine heavily for littering, and public transportation is huge in big cities to avoid high emissions.  When we t

raveled to New Zealand, I felt the same high regard for sustainability as well after speaking to the locals.  I ran into an American who has been living in New Zealand for five years, and he stated that the difference is astounding.  Even though we have our Parks in the US, he stated that people treat wildlife differently in New Zealand because they are constantly engaging with it, and it surrounds them at all times, so they see the damage they do to nature if they aren’t careful, whereas in the US, sometimes this isn’t the case.

In addition, hikes, snorkeling, and even trips to the zoo throughout the two countries expedited my level of appreciation for sustainable practices. As I was hiking through the Blue Mountains in Australia, I saw so many ferns and listened to so many waterfalls, and I really felt engaged with nature. I was able to see if for my own eyes, but it made me realize that maybe the reason why people in the US aren’t so keen to use sustainable practices is because they don’t see the impact they make every day, and therefore aren’t “affected” by the way they treat the environment.  By going snorkeling in the great barrier reef, i was able to see a real living reef, and it made the damage we are doing to the reef that much more tangible for me. In addition, after a trip to the Sydney zoo, where the animals are rarely caged and allowed to move about it a safe setting, I realized that we treat our animals with less dignity by caging them.  I know now that sustainable practices also applies to activities like zoos, where we should treat our wildlife with the same dignity as we treat people around us.

Finally, as I went about the trip and learned about sustainable practices, I was also able to grow in confidence within myself and learn how I really can do anything if I put my mind to it.   During one of the days, we had to do a 10 mile hike all the way down and back up a canyon in the Blue Mountains.  It was one of the most grueling, gut wrenching hikes I have ever performed, and took the entire day for us to complete.  However, if I was not on this trip, I never would have known I was able to do that, and I am extremely proud of myself and will never forget the feeling of accomplishment I had after that.  Likewise, I was also given the ability to go skydiving in Cairns, Australia.  I have always had an immense fear of heights, but after I did it, I was so proud of my ability to overcome the fear and do something out of the ordinary.  There were several moments throughout the trip where I grew in confidence of myself, all while gaining sustainable practices that I could take home with me.

4.  This trip relates to my future endeavors because it made me change the path that I was currently on.  Right now, I am set to get a degree in STEM Education with a focus in high school Mathematics.  I have always had the dream of working with underprivileged youth, and for the past few summers, have had the ability to work at a summer camp and give youth from Cincinnati the chance to see the outdoors.  I have always loved nature, but it was this trip that made me realize that a career in outdoor education might be a good job for a few years for me. I think it would be amazing to take kids out in the woods, and show them the impact we are having on our planet, because that it where I think real change will happen.  Immersion is the key, and once we do that, we can teach them sustainable practices that will stick with them. This trip gave me the confidence to make this change in my life, and to go into a career that I have a new found passion for.  I am excited to take my new love of sustainability back to school, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have visited two extremely beautiful countries.