Flashback Friday: Australia

For the last few weeks, Amber has been flashing back over her last four years of college. I have so many fond memories of college. Unfortunately, that was before the dawn of the digital camera - so all of my photos are housed in boxes and scrapbooks. So it's kind of difficult for me to share photos of those years!

I just bought a printer/scanner so I can finally share some photos that I only have hard copies of. I thought I would start by sharing some photos from my time in Australia when I studied abroad.

I studied at the University of Sunshine Coast during the spring semester of my Junior (3rd) year of college. It kind of sounds like a made up school! It's located on the east coast of Australia, just north of Brisbane. I was just a short 10-15 minute drive from the beach! That might have been the #1 reason I went there. After all, I went there in February. So I traded in the frigid subzero winter temps of North Dakota for the beautiful summer temps of Australia!

I studied abroad by myself. It's surprising to some that I wasn't afraid to go to the other side of the world by myself. I can honestly say that studying abroad on my own was one of the best decisions I made. It forced to come out of my shell and become more independent. I would not be who I am today had I not gone to Australia!

The story of my study abroad experience is best told with pictures. Here are a few pictures from my 4 month stay in that fantastic country!!

This is a beach just north of where I lived. As you can see, it was absolutely gorgeous!

Before I left for Australia, many people kept telling me how Australia had some of the world's deadliest snakes and spiders. Luckily, this was one of my few encounters with snakes!

There were literally kangaroos everywhere. They would hop across campus while we were in class (so distracting). They loved to congregate on the Rugby fields in the evenings. Kangaroos are actually extremely dangerous so you can NOT approach them in the wild. Luckily I got to get up close and personal with a tame one at a zoo!

Standing with the Blue Mountains (located just outside of Sydney) in the background. The blueish tint is from the Eucalyptus that covers the mountains.

Sitting in front of the Sydney Opera House. Such a cool building. The guy who designed it found his inspiration when peeling an orange one day!!

It's rare to find me at a sporting event ANYWHERE in the world. I took in a Game of Australia Rules Football at the Melbourne Cricket Grounds, which is a very popular stadium! I had no freaking clue what was going on, but still enjoyed myself!

While visiting Melbourne, my friend & I took a drive along The Great Ocean Road, which was one of my favorite parts of Australia. It was an absolutely gorgeous drive. The Twelve Apostles are in the background behind us.

That's all I have for you as I am too lazy to scan in more photos!

Those 4 months in Australia (and the week I spent in New Zealand) were amazing. It was the trip of a lifetime and worth every penny I spent.

It's weird to think that I was in Australia 8 years ago. It just doesn't seem like 8 years could have passed since then. Plus, I don't really think that I look all that different - at least not when I wear my hair curly (which happens very rarely)!

I still keep in touch with the 3 girls that I did most of my traveling with. We are hoping to eventually go back some day & re-visit all the various sites and cities. Hopefully we can make that dream a reality some day!

Did you study abroad? If so, where did you go? If you didn't study abroad, where would you have gone?