Hey y’all and G’day from Australia!
My name is Sydney Higgenbottom and I am currently a Junior at University of Alabama studying Marine Biology and Pre-Vet. This is my second semester in a row at James Cook University, Townsville, located in the beautiful tropical North Queensland area. I am so excited to be sharing some of my favorite memories so far, and dive into all the details regarding studying abroad in Australia.
“Why marine biology at Alabama?”
Definitely one of my most common questions from my peers when I started college. All of my friends were into Business, Biology, or Nursing-I only met one other person with my major before studying abroad! Crazy! At UA, I was sort of outcast from the rest of the more common majors, but after coming to JCU, there are tons and tons of Marine Bio Enthusiasts! (Well, duh, of course! The Great Barrier Reef is literally in my backyard.) Being able to study the same subjects as all of my peers has stirred a new passion for my education, and I am so grateful to have such a welcoming, supportive, and hardworking community surrounding me. Marine biology has always been a goal for me. I even found a diary when cleaning my room before leaving the US, and it said “When I grow up I want to be a marine biologist on the Great Barrier Reef.” And here I am!
James Cook University: Courses & More
Snorkeling, scuba diving, and weekly dissections are all a major part of the curriculum as a Marine Biology student here at JCU. The hands-on practicals and assignments accurately prepare you for the tests and allow you to explore the beauty of the ocean with your own eyes. As someone with ADHD plus a passion for the outdoors, it can be extremely difficult for me to sit inside a classroom for hours and hours. However, snorkeling with fish, coral, and invertebrates to learn the taxonomy and biology is exactly my style! Some of my courses this year include Invertebrate Biology, Marine Conservation, Ecology of Reef Fishes, and Coral Reef Geomorphology. This semester, in my Reef Fishes Course, I get to choose a fish species to dissect, and rebuild and label its skull for a grade! How neat.
Want even more out of your time in Australia? I did too! JCU Dive Club, Rock Climbing at Urban Climb, Snorkeling and Diving on Magnetic Island, Hiking Mt. Halifax, Canyoning Jourama Falls, and Volunteering with baby sea turtles are just a few of my favorite activities here.
MY FAVORITE ADVENTURES, SO FAR!
Castle Hill:
Enjoying your time in Townsville City? Look up! The giant orange mountain–Castle Hill–happens to be one of my favorite spots for rock climbing and casual hiking. The views from the top are incredible, and definitely worth the adventure. It can be a bit windy, so don’t forget your jumper!
Frosty Mango and Crystal Creek:
Imagine what Jurassic Park looks like: lush greenery, crazy looking animals, and rolling mountains separated by cascading waterfalls. Welcome to Crystal Creek, part of the Paluma National Park & Rainforest. The drive is about 50 minutes from campus and is a perfect spot for a weekend getaway. Cliff jumping, hiking, bush camping, and swimming are some perfect activities for your time spent in Paluma. Head down to Big Crystal to ride the Natural Waterslides! A series of weathered, slippery rocks with a thundering flow of water provide the perfect slide into a large natural whirlpool. Watch your step!
Tired after all the swimming? Ready to eat some sugar? Pop on over to the Frosty Mango! Even just thinking about it while writing this makes my mouth water. You haven’t had a real mango smoothie until you order the Frosty Mango’s mango smoothie. Enough said.
Maggie Island:
Last, but certainly not least: Magnetic Island. Take a 15 minute ferry ride from Townsville City to your own private tropical paradise. Snorkel at Nelly Bay to see turtles and sharks, or at Geoffrey Bay to see a sunken shipwreck. Enjoy local food and bev shops spread across the island, and soak in the sunshine. Up for a challenge? Book your scuba diving courses with ProDive to get more out of your time. The coral reefs are incredible, and I have seen nudibranch, octopus, cuttlefish, stingrays, sharks, eels, and thousands of colorful reef fish. Don’t forget to visit the friendly rock wallabies as you hike along serene beaches. If you’re lucky, you may even have the chance to spot the local wild koalas who live in the gum trees along the trails.
Hope you enjoyed these suggestions! Maybe I’ll see you around sometime.
Sydney Higgenbottom, University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, is studying abroad in Australia with TEAN.
