With so much in your life changing as soon as you begin your study abroad journey, having goals and plans during your time abroad can be a game changer. Everyone always says how studying abroad is a life changing experience, but also, it’s a mindset, lifestyle and daily routine changing experience. Living internationally truly can impact so many different perspectives and aspects of your life.
Only being abroad for one month so far, I feel that I’ve learned more now about my goals, ambitions, and future plans than I ever have before. I have truly been grounded through this experience and shown where and how I want to spend my future. Studying abroad, and living internationally has given me so much freedom and independence that I am now able to ask myself; what do I want to do with my future? As I am studying marine biology, I always knew my future incorporate the ocean and marine life in some way, however being here taking classes with amazing Australian professors has contributed to helping me specialize what aspects of marine wildlife I want to research and spend my career doing. I do not think I would have been able to come to these conclusions without the help of hands-on research and courses I am involved in here during my study abroad.
Compared to my routine at my home university, I find myself seeking out new adventurous opportunities, any chance I can to be out in nature, and any time I’m able to go exploring I try to go. These are new traits and characteristics I am hoping to bring back to the states with me. Through studying abroad, I expected to learn about Australian culture while living in Townsville and how to be independent internationally, besides the academic aspect of me studying here. Along with this, I also find myself learning that I want to be more curious, adventurous, and risk-taking. I strive to be able to look back on this semester abroad and be proud that I truly tried to make each day better than the previous. Through being at James Cook University, I have been able to find other like-minded people that are looking to explore Townsville, Australia with and make the most of our experiences.
This is at the summit of a hiking trail that is found on James Cook University campus, where you can see the entire city of Townsville.One of the best pieces of advice I have learned is to say “yes” more. Whether that is to a new adventure, volunteer opportunity, different experiences, try to agree, safely, to ask much as you can. Living with this as a main aspect of my decision making has contributed to making so many more long-lasting memories, living each day to the fullest potential, and has built me into the person I am today.
Alexandra Polk, University of South Florida, is studying abroad in Australia with TEAN.
