Alyssa Lai, 2011 North Queensland student blogger, writes

Home is, indeed, where the heart is. It is a little bittersweet to be back in Florida when my heart is still most definitely in Australia. Since I’ve been back, the jet lag is been horrible and I’ve barely slept a wink (I think my body is secretly waging a war to keep me on Australian time). As I haven’t been able to sleep much, I’ve had a lot of time to think and reflect on my experiences in Australia.

Where do I begin? Studying abroad in Australia was one of the best experiences of my life. From snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef to exploring Australia’s ancient rainforests, I had the time of my life. I enjoyed everything thoroughly, and I equally enjoyed the opportunity to get to know our study abroad class ( shown below) as well as all of the field guides and locals that we had the opportunity to meet. I am so happy to have been able to experience a new culture and lifestyle of a wonderful country. Everything was absolutely fantastic, and this study abroad experience will remain near and dear to my heart forever.

Studying abroad in Australia has opened my eyes to a new outlook and way of life. For one, I know I will be traveling back to Australia one day. The laid-back lifestyle and sustainable practices make Australia a very attractive residence. This trip has also opened my eyes to more opportunities. I would be very interested in pursuing a postgraduate degree there.

Learning about sustainability has also made me more conscious of my ecological footprint and I know I will be more cognizant of what I do. The easy lifestyle of the Australians has also made me realize that Americans move too fast and worry too much. We tend to worry about the wrong things and care about things that do not matter in the long run. The world is a huge place and there are more meaningful things in life to worry about. I would like to adopt a more Australian lifestyle, complete with no worries and a smoko in the afternoons!

Studying abroad in Australia was one of the best decisions I could make for myself. Not only did I learn a lot academically, I learned about a foreign culture, a different way of life, and I learned about myself. I would highly recommend to any student to take any opportunity to study abroad. I have discovered a new passion for studying abroad, because I believe anyone would benefit from learning about a new culture and just experiencing a foreign country. You learn to become more independent, maintain an even more open mind than before, and you become a little more experienced and a little wiser. Studying abroad is a magical experience where anything can happen. It is an experience that you are sure to treasure for the rest of your life.