Hello

My Study Abroad Experience: James Trindle

/in , /by

Where and when did you study abroad/off-campus?

Auckland, New Zealand

What did you do for your internship and what kinds of projects were you assigned (if you had one)?

I interned at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival, where I ran website and marketing analytics, assisted with office admin, and led a team of volunteers during the Festival.

What are two things you learned from your time abroad/off-campus that you may not have learned otherwise?

Mainly just that a workplace functions just as well if shoes are optional. But I guess I also learned that I really don’t need a lot of the things I thought I did; that I can go a week without cell service and the world will keep on spinning, civilization existed before GPS, and that after two days of hiking a cold can of tuna is the best meal in the world.  Also, I know this is three now, but always take the scenic route.

What surprised you most about your time abroad/off-campus?

To be honest, I went in to the program with essentially no knowledge or expectations, and if you’re reading this, then you’ve already prepared more than I did. So I guess it’s equally valid to say either that nothing surprised me, or everything did.

What was the hardest part of your experience?

The bagels. Unless you’re willing to shell out for a diamond coated bread knife and reinforcements for your teeth, don’t bother. But honestly, it was often hard to stay motivated in my classes during the program. Once the internship started, it took up a lot of my time and energy (it took up about 50 hours a week during the Comedy Festival), and it was hard to focus on my Finance class, which was also quite difficult. Additionally, sometimes in the choice between studying and experiencing New Zealand, I don’t think studying is the right choice. Retrospectively, my advice is to avoid taking finance classes, as they are taught much better at BU in my opinion, and make a conscious choice about where your priorities are.

What was the best part of your experience?

The time I spent travelling with friends was some of the most fun I’ve ever had. I got to rappel into a cave and float down an underground river looking at glowworms on the ceiling above, then climb back up the cliff face as a thunderstorm quickly turned it in to a waterfall. I learned to surf, which resulted in me giving serious consideration to dropping out and becoming a beach bum, pulled an all-nighter with friends and proceeded to go white-water rafting on a category 5 river the next day, and saw dolphins, penguins, and seals framed by some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet in the Fjordland. So if you weren’t on board with me saying that studying isn’t always the most valuable experience, you should be after reading that list.

What are your best tips for those planning to study where you did?

First, if you bring a power strip with American outlets, you won’t need to buy as many adapters. Next, don’t be afraid to try new things or initiate trips. Take risks and do things that scare you, whether it’s jumping off a platform with a rubber band attached to your feet or going on an impromptu weekend trip with minimal planning and a tent. The experience makes it all worth it.

Are there any hidden gems that your classmates should check out?

Lake Mirian near Milford Sound. It’s about a 3 hour hike uphill on a loosely formed path in the woods, but at the top you’re rewarded with a pristine lake hidden between two mountain peaks. It’s especially great if you do a morning cruise in Milford Sound and hike afterward. There’s lots of things in New Zealand that you’ll never find on the internet, so just explore. Also, a great weekend trip is taking the ferry from Auckland to Great Barrier Island and hiking the Aotea track.

My Study Abroad Experience: Steven LaDine

/in , /by

Where and when did you study abroad/off-campus? 

Sydney, Australia. Fall 2017.

What did you do for your internship and what kinds of projects were you assigned (if you had one)?

I worked at the Rivendell School/Hospital unit that is geared toward helping students who have psychological disorders.

What are two things you learned from your time abroad/off-campus that you may not have learned otherwise?

My semester abroad helped me learn how to better structure my time on my own initiative. It is no secret that academic demands are not as intense (usually) while abroad. However, I learned to fill my daily and weekly schedules with my own interests and hobbies. Because I was so used to the BU campus environment—where I’m constantly being told where to be and what to do—I was not accustomed to having so much freedom to learn and explore independently.

What surprised you most about your time abroad/off-campus?

I was surprised by how easy it was to stay busy. Because everyone in the program lives in the same building and working on similar academic/work schedules, it is very easy to coordinate activities. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to find people interested in a pickup game of soccer, cooking, going to a restaurant, or to the beach.

What was the hardest part of your experience?

The hardest part of my experience was just the first few days of getting oriented to a new place. Luckily, the BU Sydney program has a phenomenal staff that will make learning about your new home very easy and streamlined. There is nothing to be concerned about.

What was the best part of your experience?

The best part of my experience was developing relationships and routines with my local community, outside of the BU Sydney Academic Program. For instance, my roommate and I took boxing lessons at our local gym twice/week, meeting and befriending some of the trainers at the gym. I also attended a weekly 5K run put on by a nearby sporting goods store. My roommates and I also began our own running club with other people from the program, which was a great way to discover and explore the city. Lastly, my friends and I frequently visited nearby parks, where we play SpikeBall or Frisbee with locals.

Getting to know the people who lived in Sydney, and taking part in local, community-oriented activities allowed me to fully appreciate my experience abroad.

What are your best tips for those planning to study where you did?

The weekends go by fast, especially once the internship period begins. To get the most out of your time in Sydney, plan something to do or somewhere to go every weekend. Don’t waste away beautiful Sydney weather being hungover in your apartment watching Netflix. Get out and do something, even if its just a local farmers’ market or a nearby beach.

Are there any hidden gems that your classmates should check out?

Greyhound racing at Wentworth Park—Free admission.

For the athletically inclined: Royal National Park coastal walk. The 30 kilometer trail from Bundeena to Otford makes a great, full day of hiking.

My Study Abroad Experience: Ashley Jenq

/in , /by

Where and when did you study abroad/off-campus?

Sydney, NSW, Australia; Spring 2017

What did you do for your internship and what kinds of projects were you assigned (if you had one)?

For my internship, I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to intern at Australia’s first and oldest bank, Westpac. At Westpac, I was a project management intern, so I spent a lot of time analyzing risks imposed by the project and determining the controls that would be implemented to mitigate them. In addition to the project with my immediate team, I was also given company culture responsibilities regarding “diversity and inclusion.” One of these responsibilities included drafting an anonymous survey, in which Westpac employees could answer truthfully about their feelings of being valued and included.

What are two things you learned from your time abroad/off-campus that you may not have learned otherwise?

As an accounting student, I was really surprised when I was selected to be an intern at a major Australian bank. I had little finance work experience, so I was nervous and hesitant to start my internship. Despite my nervousness, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed project management. In fact, I’m starting to consider post-graduation careers in project management (in addition to accounting ones, of course).

Another thing that I learned from my time abroad is that the work culture in each country differs. Although the companies perform the same tasks, the work environment is very different. For example, in the Australian work culture, work-life balance and personal wellness are more heavily integrated into the daily lives of its employees, whereas companies in the U.S. still struggle to find that balance.

What surprised you most about your time abroad/off-campus?

Throughout my time in Sydney, Australia, I have been consistently surprised at how incredible the Australian hospitality was. In fact, during my time abroad when I was homesick, my coworkers welcomed me into their families with open arms. One great memory that I had was with my boss, Jennifer. Because she knew that I was having a difficult time being so far from my family, she invited me on one of her family excursions with her husband and two sons. In addition, another coworker, Stirling, invited me to play on his local community football (soccer) team, so I could meet his friends and other locals. Overall, Sydney was a beautiful city, but it truly was the people who made my abroad experience so wholesome and unforgettable.

What was the hardest part of your experience?

Originally, I applied for a study abroad program because I wanted to travel and experience living in a foreign country. However, when you are physically 10,099 miles away from your home and loved ones, your exciting adventure gets overshadowed by feelings of nervousness, culture shock, and, sometimes, homesickness.

What was the best part of your experience?

During my internship at Westpac, I was given an internal project where I would create a new category for the company-wide Risk Awards. From this project, I was able to pioneer a new category called the “Risk Inclusion & Diversity Champion of the Year” award, which will honor an employee who has significantly and consistently increased inclusion and diversity within the workplace. As a result of my work, an individual will be recognized for his or her excellence for years to come. It’s awesome that even though I’m no longer at Westpac, I was able to leave a legacy behind.

What are your best tips for those planning to study where you did?

Extend your abroad experience so that you can visit other countries in the Pacific Rim! (Some popular destinations include Bangkok, Thailand; Bali, Indonesia; Auckland, New Zealand; Singapore, Singapore; etc.)

Although Sydney (and the rest of NSW) is beautiful, definitely make time to visit other cities in Australia. In fact, Melbourne, which is located in the state of Victoria, is one of my favorite cities in the world. Melbourne is quirky, eccentric, and soulful, so for young individuals, like myself, it’s an awesome place to check out restaurants, bars, and art galleries.

Befriend the locals! I promise you they will show you the most beautiful hidden gems in Sydney and NSW.

Hugging a koala is illegal in NSW, so when you travel to other states, try and incorporate that into your itinerary.

Are there any hidden gems that your classmates should check out?

ShirtBar in Central Business District (CBD) is a coffee shop located inside of a men’s dress shirt boutique. Think about how awesome it would be to have cappuccino in the suit department of Bloomingdale’s.

The Grounds of Alexandria is a beautiful, outdoor marketplace that offers all types of delicious (and beautiful) foods. The Grounds is decorated with an abundance of flowers, vintage farming tools, and antique fountains.

The Chinese Garden of Friendship is a hidden oriental garden tucked away in one of the busiest areas of Sydney. Within the garden, you’ll find a quaint Chinese tea house where you can enjoy hot tea and authentic dim sum. This is one of my favorite places in Sydney because it reminded me of my favorite Disney movie, Mulan.

Looking for a place to cliff jump? The Manly Beach jump rock is a popular cliff jumping location for locals. It offers two cliffs, one for the more squeamish, and another for the daredevils.