Study Abroad

1
Study Abroad Callie Bloom University of Wollongo
ng
Wollongong, Australia February-June, 2006
Objectives I wanted to study abroad since I atte
nded orientation as a Freshman. I felt studying
abroad would allow me to learn more and
experience more about another culture. I also
wanted to get away from home and experience being
on my own since I am originally from Champaign,
IL.
Materials and Methods I found this program throu
gh the help of my study abroad advisor, after
planning my choice of courses I needed to take.
I booked my travel route through Suzi Davis
Travel, with a 10 day layover in Hawaii on my way
home! I wanted to visit as many places in Austral
ia that I could and booked a lot of them through
Extreme Adventure which was a terrific and
reasonably priced company. New Zealand was also
a country I wanted to visit.
Results I lived in the Campus East dorms, which
were only 5 minutes from the beach, but a 10
min. bus ride to the campus. These dorms were
amazing, it was our own little community. About ½
of it were international students (primarily
Americans) and the other ½ were Australians.
I learned about the history of Australia through
my Australian studies course, which I found to be
very interesting. Im so glad I took this course,
because I learned so much more about the country
I was living in! I also took a Philosophy class
and an intro to management class. I found that
most of my classes taught based on what the US
does and how the US has succeeded.
I became friends with many Australians and talked
to many other people while traveling from all
over the world. I have many stories from everyone
I met and places I traveled to.
Places I visited Even though I was in Wollongong
every weekend I didnt travel to other places in
Australia I would go up to Sydney. Some of the
places I went to were Melbourne, The Great Ocean
Road, Frazer Island, The Great Barrier Reef, and
the Whitsunday Islands. While at the Great
Barrier Reef I went snorkeling, sailing and bungy
jumping. I also got to see Steve Irwin at the
Australian Zoo in Brisbane. I also went to the s
outh island of New Zealand for a weekend. Then
on my way home I took a 7 day cruise to the
Hawaiian islands.
This was an experience of a lifetime and I would
recommend it to everyone. The people you meet
and places you see will open your eyes to
different cultures and customs. I cant wait
until the next time I can take a trip like this!