Kasha Patel, the Deacons Abroad marketing intern, writes about her experience on a farm stay in South Queensland:

One of the memories I cherish the most from my study abroad experience in Australia is my farm stay in Dalby. One other girl, Adrienne, and I stayed with a 65 year old lady named Shirley who lived on a cattle farm. She has had the farm for nearly 55 years but the farm has been in the family for much longer.

Shirley, (pictured left with Kasha and Adrienne), took us to see the Bunya National Park, known for the endemic Bunya Pines, and ate some ice cream. We also stopped by her son’s cattle farm, which is much larger than hers. We met her daughter-in-law, who is actually from the U.S., and her granddaughter, Paige. Paige’s room was covered with nothing but Disney characters and Justin Beiber posters! She showed us her tyre swing, tree house, and her new litter of kittens. As we were leaving, Paige said to me and Adrienne, “You guys are really cool.”

The next morning, we were put to work on the farm. Adrienne and I helped out  by rounding up the cattle, and then gathering eggs from the chickens.

Overall, I think most people enjoyed the farm stay. One family took the students on a kangaroo safari, another took the students to a neighborhood cook-out. The farm stays were brief but I believe everyone enjoyed the home atmosphere and generosity of the families.