I am a marine science and biology major at the University of Miami, and I have dreamed of traveling to Australia since I was a child. Before leaving, I was drawn to this continent because I thought of it as a place of almost mythical proportions with a vast array of wildlife and beautiful natural spaces. I have now been in Gold Coast, Queensland for almost three months. Already I feel like the area is a second home away from home. I am currently enrolled in courses at the Gold Coast campus of Griffith University. Since this is my first post, there is obviously a lot to catch up on, and I will do my best to describe what I’ve had the privilege of experiencing thus far.
I live in an off-campus flat that is conveniently located only a 10 minute bike ride from the University, or Uni as it is referred to here. From campus, there is a newly built tram (the G:Link) that takes passengers along the coast from the Griffith campus, through the famous Surfers Paradise area, and all the way down to the Broadbeach area. Before I arrived in Australia I was nervous that locals might have accents that were difficult to understand or that they might have a hard time understanding me, but there is no communication barrier at all. The locals I have encountered have all been very friendly and are always willing to offer a word of advice if you need it. It is true that groceries and other things are generally more expensive in Australia than in the United States, but I’ve also found that if you are a conscientious shopper you can still live on a budget that is relatively modest.
I have been to some of the most amazing places I’ve ever seen during my time here. I have gone on numerous small adventures around the Gold Coast area from the gorgeous beaches to the breathtaking mountains. Burleigh is my favorite local area. This small suburb of Gold Coast has a really laid back surfing vibe. On weekends when the weather is nice and the surf is pumping, many of the locals come out to the park that overlooks the ocean and just watch the waves. Springbrook National Park is another amazing place within an hour drive of the Uni campus. You can hike all day around this beautiful area and not be able to see all of it. There are fantastic lookouts, pristine rainforest, and towering waterfalls all in one spot!
In September I had the opportunity to travel to Sydney and explore the city and surrounding area for three days. I thought the city was everything I expected and more. On my first day, my friends and I walked around Sydney Harbor area and got to watch the sun set behind the famous Sydney Opera House. The next day we set out early to complete the long walk all the way from Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach. The trail takes you along cliffs overlooking the ocean the entire way, and if you’re lucky like we were you may even see a pod of dolphins playing in the surf! Finally on our third day, we took a train to the Blue Mountains National Park, and spent the day hiking along the Prince Henry Cliff Trail. The views were some of the most spectacular I’ve ever seen.
The highlight of my trip so far was my recent mid-semester break trip to Cairns in tropical north Queensland. My friend and I boarded a boat for three days and two nights, and got to do 11 scuba dives on the Great Barrier Reef. I will not be able to fully fit into words what the experience meant to me, but as a student in marine science, the trip was truly a lifelong dream come true. We were lucky enough to see sea turtles, whitetip reef sharks, cuttlefish, and beautifully healthy coral. My favorite dive was the second night-dive we did, as there were anywhere from 8 to 12 gray reef sharks circling the front of the boat. Our dive group hovered 10 feet under the water, and watched in awe as these magnificent apex predators glided through the water all around us. Never once was I frightened, and the sharks were never aggressive towards the divers. It was truly an honor to be able to share the ocean with them.
Sadly, the semester has flown by, and there is only about a month left before finals begin. After finals I hope to travel to either New Zealand or Southeast Asia before coming back home. I will do my best to update this blog more regularly, so please stay tuned!
Hi Drew,
Thank you for painting such a vivid picture of what it is like to experience the beauty of Australia. No doubt your words will inspire other UM students to embrace study abroad.
All the best,
Lisa