Tessa Arnold, the Hokies Abroad marketing intern, writes:

I am a strong believer that every person that studies abroad should keep a journal with them at all times. You may think that you will be tired of writing due to your coursework, but trust me, it’s worth it! I tried to write in my journal every night before bed so that I could remember my exact thoughts and feelings from my trip. It is so nice to now, two years after my program in Australia, to read over my journal and digest the words I wrote on each page.

My journal entries can help others understand the impact studying abroad made on my life. The first day in Australia I wrote the following:

Pedestrian sign in Australia

“I can’t even begin to describe what Australia is like! Our bus ride was so nice—we saw beautiful buildings, palm trees on steroids, and fun signs. The driving wheels in cars are on the right side and they drive on the left side of the road. The speed is in km/h and their “yield” sign says “give way”. Their pedestrian sign is simply two legs walking! We took a ferry to Magnetic Island and looking over the ocean was gorgeous; the mountains are full of various rocks and trees…”

As I reread these words, I can remember exactly each moment I experienced. Without writing in my journal, who knows if I would have remember how amused I was with Australia’s various road signs.

“…No words can explain what I saw; there were so many unbelievable colors of coral and fish. I also saw a reef shark and three stingrays and was surprisingly calm. Everything was so peaceful, I could swim forever. It was all so amazing and definitely one of my favorite lifetime experiences.”

As you can read here, my experience on the Great Barrier Reef was absolutely amazing. I tried to write in detail about all experiences I had so that I can enjoy them any time I wish. Overall, I highly recommend that everyone else do the same by keeping a journal.

“…my flight will land in the United States any minute now. I am excited to see my family, but I will miss Australia. Words cannot explain the impact it had on my life. I am already planning in my head when to go back!”