7 Reasons Why You Should Study in Australia
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Hey!
If we haven’t met yet, my name is Maddie, and I am currently studying in Australia with SIT: Rainforest Reef and Cultural Ecology. Finding a program can be overwhelming, nerve-wracking, and also super exciting. If you’re a biology major, environmental science/studies major, or just super interested in plants and animals, here are 7 reasons you should consider this program!
Reason #1: Travel somewhere you’ve never been!
Most people have never travelled to the country they decide to go abroad to. For me, I had only ever dreamed of traveling to Australia.
(It is over 24 hours of travel!)
But what was super important to me in my decision-making process was that I wanted to go somewhere completely out of my comfort zone, and somewhere I felt I couldn’t just visit on a typical spring break vacation. When’s the next time I’ll be able to say I went to Australia for four months?!
Reason #2: Australia is gorgeous
If you have never seen photos of Australia, believe me when I say it is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to and will likely ever be. My camera roll is full of photos because I just can’t believe it.
A big part of the SIT program is getting in the field and exploring. There are walks almost daily unless we have a lecture, and the staff & professors are always trying to show us different parts of Australia. We observe mountains, rainforests, waterfalls, swamps, and everything in between!
Whether it’s the beaches, the forest, or even the local roads, it is all breathtaking.
If you’re a big nature person, and even if you’re not, Australia will never run out of views for you to admire.
Reason #3: Animals GALORE
This one might seem obvious, but there are so many animals here in Australia. Because the program focuses on rainforest and reef ecology, we spend a lot of time looking for and learning about animals to examine their relationship with their environments.
I am a self-proclaimed, recently turned, big bird nerd. It has been so much fun learning about new birds here in Australia and actually seeing many of them out in the wild. While on hikes, we try to look for wild animals all the time, but the program also offers many planned excursions, such as visiting a wildlife sanctuary, hospital, or zoo to get a better look at some of the animals we’re learning about.
Reason #4: Plants GALORE
If you thought the animals here were cool, the plants are almost as cool if not cooler! There are so many species here, and they all have so many different uses and meanings for the people here.
We learn a lot about plants as part of the program and spend a considerable amount of time working to identify these plants in the field. Plants play a crucial role in the rainforest, and they provide so much to humans, animals, and the world as a whole.
Unlike the United States, there are also a ton of plants here that are highly poisonous to humans and animals. While we may have one or two that are slightly dangerous, there are all sorts of things here that look completely normal but can actually be harmful.
But don’t worry, the SIT staff are super knowledgeable and are sure to point things out. But it is super interesting to learn about if plants are your thing!
Reason #5: Research project included!
A big part of an SIT program is their Independent Study Project (ISP). This is a five-week research project conducted during the program, and it is completely student-run. You get to choose the topic and location, and the people you email to supervise you.
Since it is not time for our ISP yet, I do not yet have a supervisor or project location. But I am focusing on conservation, behavioral ecology, and bird-related research in Sydney, New South Wales, and even Tasmania! I’ve emailed almost 15 professors and researchers to see if they have an aspect of their project I can jump in on to complete my ISP.
I hope to write soon about new developments and a finalized project!
If research is something you enjoy, or want to try out, SIT is a great way to be guided into that field of study!
Reason #6: Study the Great Barrier Reef
Interested in coral? We study that a lot here!
When not doing ISP, we stay in Cairns, Australia, which is right next to the Great Barrier Reef. Because of this, we get to go out on a big boat trip to snorkel there, and we spend two weeks on a research island focusing solely on the reef!
Never snorkeled before? Don’t worry! SIT makes sure you are comfortable swimming and breathing through the mask before you enter the water. And once you’re in, let me tell you, you do not want to come out.
Just remember to reapply sunscreen. I learned that the hard way.
Reason #7: It’s just fun!
I might be biased, but we really have the best group of people here, and it is so much fun doing this program with them. Due to the nature of the program, we spend a LOT of time together. Whether that’s in lectures, driving to excursions, trekking up mountains, or staying together in different hostels and such.
Being in a completely new hemisphere of the world can be overwhelming and feel like a big change, but the people on your program are also going through the same thing! Do it together, and have fun while you do it!
Hope to see you down here!
-Maddie 
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