often found myself questioning if I was living in a dream.  Out of the 21 years of my life, four months stood out.  I was living in another world, or at least on another continent.  I submerged myself in an unfamiliar environment, flying there alone and not knowing what to expect.  I adapted to the changes that waited for me.  The Gold Coast of Australia would be home to me from January to April of 2006.

                Upon my arrival at Bond University, I was dropped off by an airport transfer with two over-packed suitcases, and a carry-on that was way over the size limit.  I also had a smaller bag that I termed as my “purse” for the flight, when I really had my purse inside of it and just needed room for more things.  You could say that I felt the need to bring just about everything.  You could also say that I didn’t get any sleep the night before I left my house; I was finishing the extensive art of packing bags and now I had to carry them to Accommodation Centre Room 344, wherever that was. 

                Finding my room was a minute obstacle in comparison to what I experienced from Los Angeles on.  When I was in line to board the plane, I was told that I couldn’t get on; the passport had been declared lost or stolen.  In disbelief, I asked them to check it again.  Their machines didn’t just mess up—I had the wrong passport and the only thing running through my head was how stupid I’d look if I’d have to go home, not to mention extremely upset.  But this wasn’t the end.   

                The previous summer, I had gone to Paris, France for a week with my family and lost my passport months prior to the trip.  I got a new one and everything was fine.  When I came home, I found my old one and for some reason, I decided to keep it.  My mom held onto my old one.  Flash forward to a few months later when I was applying for a visa.  The pictures on each of the passports were similar and I thought that I had been using the right one during the application process.  I was wrong and let’s just say I kept a close watch on something that would eventually get me nowhere except a jam. xcept a jam. xcept a jam. xcept a jam. xcept a jam. xcept a jam. xcept a jam. xcept a jam. xcept a jam. 

                My flight was scheduled to depart at 11:15 p.m., so it was probably around 10:00 p.m. when I called my mom to tell her the devastating news.  Of course, with the time difference, I woke her around 1:00a.m.  She found my old passport and shipped it overnight to the Marriott, which was conveniently located next to the LA airport.  Always the optimist, I found this two night stay on the West Coast as a chance to discover a place that I had always wanted to see.  It was beautiful, but it was nothing compared to what lay ahead.  lay ahead. 

                After being on a plane for 15 hours, the flight from Melbourne to Brisbane felt like nothing.  However, I’m not complaining.  I’d make that flight again and again if I could.  I was in Australia and eager to see more than airport terminals.  I arrived in Brisbane and came down the escalator just in time to see one of my bags on the conveyer belt.  But my second large suitcase never showed up.  Turns out, it had been left in Melbourne, although there was a good half hour where they weren’t sure of its location.  I was nervous, but I passed the time by fumbling with the phone, attempting to call home and trying to make sense of Australia’s strange dial tone.  They shipped my bag on the next flight to Brisbane and I had never been happier to see it.  Next destination: the Gold Coast. 

                Located about an hour south of Brisbane, I got to the Gold Coast by way of an airport transfer.  Here was my third problem: the person to pick me up wasn’t there because they had expected me to arrive two days ago.  I phoned the company and they sent someone.  As I sat near the automatic glass doors, I watched people come and go, keeping a close lookout for a person I knew no physical description of, and an even closer eye on the luggage that sat at my feet.  If there was, for any reason, a sign that I should not be studying abroad, I think these mishaps were it.  I transformed that way of thinking into the idea that I had to work to get where I wanted.  At this point I was extremely eager to see what the country had to offer.  As I sat in the van en route to the Gold Coast, the buildings I passed seemed to resemble architecture of the late 80’s-early 90’s.  I wasn’t sure of what I was getting myself into, but as the hour drive passed, I felt tired and I just wanted to get settled in. 

LIFE DOWN UNDER

                Bond University is the most beautiful campus I have ever seen.  It boasts a gorgeous landscape, complete with a fountain, clock towers, residence buildings that overlooked the lake, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and a beach volleyball court.  There was also lakeside dining, a spacious library, and numerous other aspects that made Saint Rose look smaller than it already is.  However, this was merely the campus; it didn’t speak of the great surroundings that were off-site of what I’d call home for the next few months. 

                We lived on the Eastern Coast of Australia, which meant that the ocean was not far away.  It took a twenty minute bus ride to get down to Surfers Paradise.  The title spoke for itself.  This was a city in Queensland where the world seems to be at your feet.  The atmosphere was so carefree and relaxed.  People were friendly and it was hard not to have a smile on my face.  Shops and restaurants in a café-like setup opened their doors to people of all nationalities.  Surfers Paradise was very touristy and always buzzing with people and events.  The ocean sat on one side of the town, the beach crowded with bronzed bodies.  The nightlife was always thriving, as a strip of bars stretch down Caville Avenue.  This was one of my favorite places to be. 

                When one studies abroad, it’s important to not forget the “studying” aspect.  You can become so wrapped up with the new environment around you that you forget about the work that has to be done.  I found that Bond University was different from Saint Rose on numerous levels.  The courses that they offered had both a lecture and a tutorial.  You come to learn at the lecture and you were welcome to discuss issues in the tutorial.  Teachers grade on a curve-like scale; only a certain number of people can get A’s, B’s, C’s, etc.  I found that it increases competition and makes getting an A that much harder. 

                Besides being well known for academics, Bond University is also there to remind you that their country’s drinking age is only 18.  They make it a habit to encourage the consumption of alcohol, as it is a regular part of both their on-and-off-campus events.  It was bewildering, but I adapted to it with ease, as did most students.  Perhaps this is why they have such high student participation in their events. 

                Traveling is a big component of being abroad.  Having flown halfway around the world to get to Australia, I wanted to see more of the country than just the Gold Coast.  The school’s travel agency, Student Flights, offered a trip to Great Keppel Island, which is surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Activities consisted of various water sports. Temperatures were in the high eighties for this long weekend getaway, and it marks the first time where I’ve absolutely adored the weather in February. 

                In March, I went to Mardi Gras in Sydney with my friends that I made at Keppel.  By the time the first weekend in March was over, we toured the city, took photos alongside the Opera House, went on a booze cruise in the Harbour, and celebrated Mardi Gras at the Parade.  We even passed the site of the 2000 Olympic Games and visited the Blue Mountains (the largest canyon in the world) and took a coastal walk along Bondi Beach. 

                I tried not to take one day for granted while I was on the Gold Coast.  I made it a point to appreciate all of my experiences and was very thankful because of them.  In addition to the beach, various shopping centers and a gorgeous campus at our side throughout our stay, we made sure to check off the essential aspects of any trip to Australia: we took surfing lessons and made our way to a wildlife sanctuary to pet the kangaroos and hold a koala.  My trip would have not been complete without them. 

BACK TO THE STATES

                Coming home was more than depressing.  It was the hardest part of being abroad.  I lived each day to the max for four months straight.  I made new friends, gained a new perspective, was exposed to the unfamiliar, tried food I had never tasted, and soaked as much in as I could. 

                May 18, 2006 marked a day in which I would return to ordinary.  My stagnant lifestyle waited for me with its repetition of the same, boring events which did nothing for my craving to exploration.  Somehow my body moved from one security checkpoint to the next, passport close at hand as the weight from my oversized carry-on pulled down on my shoulder.  Everything inside of me was fighting to stay, but my legs kept moving. 

      The excitement of seeing my friends and family members was there, but only momentarily.  I had been looking forward to seeing them, but wasn’t ready to go back yet.  When I left my family and friends at home, it wasn’t forever.  Leaving Australia was different because I may never get back there.  I was leaving something I thoroughly enjoyed behind.  Even if I return, it will never be the same and that idea rests on the unfortunate truth that the people whom I spent my days with won’t be there.  I can’t ever walk on Bond University’s campus again and see the many familiar faces.  Not only are a hefty portion of Bond’s student population international, but it doesn’t help that their permanent students graduate in two years. 

                The initial meet and greet at the airport, complete with a sign that read, “Welcome Home, Mate!” almost had me in tears, but that subsided in the car ride.  I sat in the backseat staring into the night sky, realizing I wasn’t going to see the Southern Cross, a constellation only visible in the Southern Hemisphere.  I had a 50 minute car ride, and in that time I faced the truth that there was nothing I could do that would put me on a plane to go back down under. 

                For a little while, there was a buzz about me being home.  I visited with friends and family, handed them a piece of Australia, most times symbolized by a boomerang, a stuffed koala or a shot glass.  I told them stories of what I had experienced and showed only a fraction of the photographs I had taken.  It was exciting to share, but I felt like they couldn’t get the best impression because they didn’t experience it with me.  There was also too much to say, and often times I didn’t know where to start.  How do you cover four months of your life in which you’re doing something fascinating everyday?

                From my perspective, I found it apparent that nothing had really changed during the whole time I was gone.  I spent my summer flipping back and forth between life in Albany and Canajoharie, having jobs in both towns.  I was starting my second summer of the year, but I was suffocating from the lack of adventure and fulfillment I was so used to having at hand. 

                Sadly, I’ve managed to fall back into a very structured lifestyle.  My routine consists of classes, an internship and a part-time job.  I still manage to go out, but it’s not even every weekend that I make an appearance at a bar.  The comparison of my way of life between this semester and last semester are like day and night. 

                I am constantly reminded of Australia.  I am actually almost sick of talking about it, which makes me wonder how the people on the listening end feel.  However, when I look at the pictures or video footage, or reminisce with those whom I created these memories with, I am reminded that I had an irreplaceable semester.  Although half the time I still don’t believe that the girl standing in most of those photographs is really me. 

                Studying abroad taught me that if I want to do something in my life, I can’t put it off; I have to do it now.  I am constantly looking forward and trying to take advantage of any opportunities that come my way.  Spending a semester on the Gold Coast of Australia, two weeks in the South Island of New Zealand and a week in Fiji has not only made me realize how fortunate I am, but has also opened my eyes to what is out there.  I have a strong desire to explore not only our nation’s backyard, but also a solid portion of the countries that make up this world. ■