Looking down at my feet, I watch as I step over the uneven rocks making sure to keep my footing. I look up at the magnificent view of the Grampians’ mountainscape ahead of me. Breathing in the fresh air, I wipe the sweat off of my forehead and look over at my friends in disbelief. We made it. We hiked to the top of The Pinnacle in the Grampians National Park. The hike up was not easy, it challenged us all mentally and physically. Just hours before, we were trekking down the steep stairs to the beautiful Mackenzie Falls, and days before, we were hiking along the limestone cliffs of Port Campbell National Park watching in awe as the waves crashed against The Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Fast-forward a few days, and we were snorkeling the stunning Great Barrier Reef, watching giant clams feed and swimming through the schools of bright colored fish. These sites helped remind us why we were in Australia in the first place: to learn about sustainability and protecting the world and its beauty.

We visited farms and learned how they recycled their water and planted trees to bring back connectivity and habitat for bird species. We visited cities and saw all of the different forms of public transportation and beautiful architecture. We visited national parks and saw how they are dealing with invasive species and restoring the flow of water to habitats the indigenous wildlife depend on. We were humbled to be welcomed to the country by aboriginals and learned about the hardships of their past and their struggles today.

Being a first generation college student with a disabled father and a postal worker mother, I thought studying abroad would never be more than a dream for me. The scholarships I received made it all possible. I saw some of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen, learned more than I could have possibly imagined, and made lifelong friends in the process.

Name: Courtney Boersema
Status: Senior
Major: Environmental Studies and Sustainability
Hometown: Whitehall, Michigan
Program: Sustainable Food, Environment and Social Systems in Australia