AUIP welcomes Marisa Gottlieb, the Florida Down Under Australia Marketing Intern to the team. Marisa writes:
G’day Gators!
My name is Marisa Gottlieb and I will be Florida Down Under Australia’s Marketing Intern for this year! I am a third-year student at the University of Florida, majoring in Tourism and Hospitality Management and minoring in Business Administration.
From a young age, I have had a desire to travel the world and experience what different places have to offer. My father is a pilot for American Airlines, which allows me to travel around the world. I have felt as if I have gained a great deal of appreciation for other cultures, religions and ways of life, but knew that I wanted to expand my knowledge even more.
What better way to expand my knowledge of different cultures, religions and ways of life than studying abroad?
This summer I studied abroad in the Land Down Under on UF’s AUIP study abroad program, Florida Down Under in North Queensland. One word to sum up my experience is astounding.
Marisa and friends in North Queensland
I signed up alone for the study abroad, which I was nervous about at first, but it ended up being the best decision. Not only did I make many close friends, but I was able to be myself without anyone holding me back. I met other students in my major who I now have classes with and are mentors to each other by using our prior experiences in our field of study.
While on the study abroad program, I received 6 credits for sustainability that went directly towards my major requirement classes. Unlike traditional study abroad programs, we traveled together as a group with our professor and TA throughout the four weeks of being there. Constantly having the support and help of the program staff ensured that we stayed on track and offered assistance whenever it was needed. I gained a valuable relationship with the professor on my trip, who is a professor for my specific major. The field guides that traveled with us and taught us along the way were extremely knowledgable and passionate. I took away so many ideas that I use in my everyday life, here at school in Florida.
The relationships and knowledge that I gained on my program with other students and staff will positively impact my future endeavors.
Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef
Although I enjoyed every aspect of my study abroad program, some excursions stood out to me. Some highlights from the trip were snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, exploring the city of Sydney, seeing the beautiful and old Daintree Rainforest, as well as spending the day with an Aboriginal tribe. Not to mention, I did happen to win the boomerang throwing competition and was given a hand-made boomerang as the prize!
I want everyone to be able to share this great experience that I was fortunate enough to have and to study abroad somewhere unique and different, like Australia! Studying abroad allows you to learn about new things, see things that you have never seen before, expand your knowledge of the world that we live in, and meet people that you previously did not know.
I am very enthusiastic to be Florida Down Under Australia’s Marketing Intern for this year and share my personal experiences with other fellow students, at the University of Florida!
Go Gators, Go Studying Abroad, Go AUIP!
Marisa Gottlieb
