Cassie Meakin, the Hokies Abroad marketing intern, writes:
I returned from Australia and New Zealand approximately a month ago, and I recently found out I have been selected as the marketing intern for Virginia Tech. I am so excited to share my experiences and memories with everyone, as it was the best time of my life.
Students planting trees in New Zealand; photo by Jancarla Ocampo
It was during my study abroad experience that I discovered who I was as an individual, and I decided to switch my focus from pre-med to environmental research and conservation. These study abroad programs offer life skills that cannot be gained anywhere else. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where your classroom is the outdoors and the people you meet become some of the closest friends you will ever make.
When I stepped off of the plane on May 21 in Auckland, New Zealand, the scenery immediately enthralled me. All of the trees and animals looked like illustrations from a Doctor Seuss book. We continued our journey conducting service learning throughout the North Island of New Zealand learning about conservation strategies, visiting a Mainland Island, conducting research in a watershed, staying with a native Maori tribe, floating on a boat through glowworm caves and planting trees that will remain on the island forever.
Hanging out on the beach at Magnetic Island, Australia
After finishing up the New Zealand service learning program, I was off to North Queensland, Australia. Journeying all over the northeast corner of the country, we learned about endangered animals we never even knew existed, like the cassowary. We had the chance to hold koalas, snorkel the world’s largest reef, explore the most diverse and oldest rainforest in the world and sleep under the stars in the Outback. My favorite stop along the way was the Daintree Rainforest, where I had my life-changing realization that I wanted to dedicate my life to preserving beautiful, unique ecosystems like the ones we had been experiencing. I would recommend this trip to everyone, as I feel that education and traveling are they keys to self-discovery.
Hiking in the Outback
