by Nicole Porras
With about three weeks left in Australia, I can’t help but begin to reminisce. I am SO GLAD that I chose to come here. I have learned so much about myself and I have so much appreciation for Australia and the wonderful places I have visited.
I am grateful for the friends I came here with, and the new friends that I made while living here. If you are reading this and are thinking about studying in Australia, just know that this experience is what you make of it.
I have found so much happiness here and I truly believe that it is because I lived every day the way I wanted to. Remember that what makes YOU happy might not necessarily make someone else happy, but this adventure is about YOU, so do whatever it is your heart is set on doing.
The greatest thing that I will take with me from Australia is this easy-going attitude about life. Not to stress the little things and just enjoy every moment. To have fun and be in the moment. I liked that even people my age aren’t glued to their phones when going out. Australians care so much about being in the moment, and enjoying the company of friends.
Studying abroad in Australia has given me the opportunity to explore natural beauty, and be a bit more adventurous. I would also like to let everyone know that Australia is not full of sharks and deadly spiders. Well…it sort of is, but they’re not EVERYWHERE like people make it seem (or at least how people made it seem to me before I came).
Most of the really dangerous and big spiders are in the country or outback. I have not seen one spider throughout my entire time here in Australia (*knocks on wood*), and I have been in Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns and a small town called Corowa. I have also not encountered any sharks, but I have seen some dolphins (from a distance) and a couple of jellyfish (on the sand).
Australia has been absolutely amazing so far and as much as I miss my family and friends at home, it is going to be so hard to leave this beautiful place. I have truly had the time of my life, and all I can say is that I am grateful and incredibly happy. Australia will always have a special place in my heart.