Australia and Beyond - Fall 2017

I can’t believe it’s already been a week since I left the United States, yet I also can’t believe it’s only been that long. The past seven days have been filled with experiences that literally could be once-in-a-lifetime occurrences. I can’t possibly relay all the details of my adventures, but I figured I’d give you a few highlights and a small glimpse into what Aussie life looks like so far! The adventure started with my 10-hour layover in Los Angeles. This was my first time ever on the West Coast, let alone California! I was a little bit apprehensive about exploring a new city all by myself, but with my backpack locked and my newly-downloaded Uber app in tow, I was ready to head out. My journey began with navigating the free shuttle bus system, where the shuttle bus driver showed me the best place to hop a fence and make it across the street to the California-famous In-N-Out Burger. With my belly full, I took my first Uber to Manhattan Beach and Boardwalk. I couldn’t believe how...

G'day Mates! This is me checking in from my last full day in Wisconsin before I jump on a plane and start my journey studying abroad 9,000 miles away. Even though I knew I only had two months of summer from ending my sophomore year at Valparaiso University, IN and leaving for my semester abroad, I can't believe how fast it disappeared! Between working full-time hours at Kwik Trip, going on a 9-day vacation with my family to The Rocky Mountains & Yellowstone National Park, and figuring out flights, classes, packing, layovers, and all the other countless details and information about my new home for the next four months, I still can't believe it's already here. To fill everyone in, I will be studying at the University of Newcastle (UoN) in Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia (!), about two hours north of Sydney by bus. Luckily, Newcastle is the seventh largest city in Australia and only a half hour from the beach, so I should be able to find plenty to keep me bu...