UGA - Warnell - Discover Abroad: Summer Australia: Caring for Country : Testimonials (Atherton)
The following program testimonial responses have been selected for publication by UGA StudyAway
Final Reflection Questions
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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I learned about how sustainability and public health are interrelated.
— Lauren Balotin, Summer 2016 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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The most significant take-away from my experience is the concept of interconnectivity. In some way or another, every action we take impacts those around us. Something as small as our attitude to the choices we make when buying products to the type of transportation we take can significantly affect our peers. We cannot stand alone. This world is so large, but we have the capability to build community wherever we go. Our environment is connected in a way that provides life. By destroying parts of our ecosystem, part of life is being destroyed. It is so important to be aware and cautious of the decisions we are making.
— Jillian Coheley, Summer 2016 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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I gained a deeper understanding of Australia. I was able to see Australia for more than just wallaby's and the Sydney Opera House. I experienced different environments that I would not have otherwise known about.
— Sarah Gardner, Summer 2016 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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Being in an unknown environment disconnected from America really gave me time for self reflection and to view life in a new way.
— Claudia Gawrys, Summer 2016 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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Getting out of my bubble and truly seeing the world impacted me tremendously. I realized that people from other countries are just like us: hungry, loving, ambitious, and that you can identify with every person you meet abroad. The world is falling apart in front of us, and maybe if everyone took some time to identify with others and think past their own existence we could fix that.
— Wesley Jones, Summer 2016 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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This trip opened my mind to how similar the United States and Australia are in terms of history with the Native American and Aboriginal tribes and how they are still not thought highly of to this day. We all got a first hand look into the beauty and fragility of the ecosystems that people depend greatly on and realized that it is our duty to protect them.
— Natalie Hilton, Summer 2017 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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Learning about the environment and how much impact humans have on it. Also, learning about the impact food has on the human body.
— Amelia Bibler, Summer 2019 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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This specific study abroad's focus on global health and Aboriginal history provided a more personal cultural immersion experience. A wonderful benefit of studying abroad is exposing yourself to people around the world who do not share your opinions, experience, or history, and this study abroad did a wonderful job of truly incorporating these differences into the itinerary. The professors on this study abroad were also wonderfully understanding of students' need to explore and have time to absorb the environment around them.
— Breanna Horton, Summer 2019 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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If you feel a tug to go on this program, you need to follow that tug. If certain things are holding you back like finances or being home sick, you have to let all of that go. The people on this trip will become your family while you are abroad. The amount of knowledge you will learn is something that cannot be learned sitting in a classroom back at home. You have the opportunity to directly experience a hands-on approach to learning, while making incredible connections with the people around you.
— Jillian Coheley, Summer 2016 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Go in with an open mind, don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone, talk to the students in your group because they will become your best friends.
— Claudia Gawrys, Summer 2016 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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1. Bring a lot of spending money 2. Go out of your way to be nice and open minded 3. Don't feel compelled to impress anyone 4. Tell people how you feel if you have a problem 5. Don't miss anything, no madder how tired, scared or behind on schoolwork — Wesley Jones, Summer 2016 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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I would highly recommend this trip for students looking for a "well-rounded" study abroad. The program is open to all majors and the content is very meaningful. Also, be prepared to have your perspective change.
— Ryley Beaumont, Summer 2019 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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I highly recommend this study abroad. Don't assume that you need to be in a major related to global health... this study abroad can be for anyone as long as you have an interest in learning something new about a culture you don't identify with. Go to the study abroad fairs or ask someone you know who has been on the Summer Australia study abroad. They'll tell you the ins and outs of the program. Also be willing to step out of your comfort zone! There are so many amazing places to go, people to meet, and things to do in Australia so grab some friends/classmates and explore!
— Breanna Horton, Summer 2019 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I learned more about sustainability, which helped me decide to major in environmental science.
— Lauren Balotin, Summer 2016 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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In the future, I plan to take what I've learned during my Discover Abroad experience and apply it to my own life. As a global citizen, I want to be more aware of the world around me and how my actions impact our environment. This may be seen by the type of products I buy to walking to class instead of driving a car. I hope to use methods of sustainability in my career and create a chain reaction.
— Jillian Coheley, Summer 2016 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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The experiences from diving in the Great Barrier Reef and walking through the rainforest furthered my passion for my marine science major and environmental health minor. It also allowed me to talk to experts in the field and hear stories from their travels and experiences.
— Sarah Gardner, Summer 2016 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I'm still deciding what field of law I want to specialize in and now I'm seriously considering environmental law. The trip really opened by eyes to the degradation we put in our ecosystems and that solutions are possible if the human race can agree on certain ethical standards.
— Wesley Jones, Summer 2016 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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It opened my eye to life in a new perspective. I met people with different backgrounds, some who have traveled the world and some who have never left their hometown. My experience in Australia made me realize that everyone has a different story and so much to share.
— Catherine Johnson, Summer 2017 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I'm now thinking about minoring in some type of environmental science or public health. The program made me want to help better the world through my career.
— Amelia Bibler, Summer 2019 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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My experience on this study abroad will forever impact my life. Studying aboriginal culture and the time spent living with an Australian family on a farm changed my perspective on Australian and world politics in a major way. While studying global health did not influence my career goals on a broad scale, it did influence my mindset on physical and mental health as well as revitalizing my love of medicine and culture. On a more personal level, studying abroad allowed me to make some deep connections with new friends and provided a new perspective which impacts my relationships with others.
— Breanna Horton, Summer 2019 |