Guest Post: An Intern Down Under

This guest blog was written by Shayna Dunitz, a junior at Ithaca College, a fellow Intern Queen intern with me and a Spring 2011 study abroad student at the University of Sydney. She had an unique experience abroad when she interned for Emergency Architects Australia. Shayna shares her experiences interning in another country and how she was able to balance getting ahead and exploring Down Under.

When I first made the decision to study abroad in Sydney, Australia I was not thinking about an internship at all. I was barely even thinking about classes. All I had in mind was the beautiful beaches and amazing city. However, when given the option of an internship through the University of Sydney, I began to really consider it. As a sophomore, I still hadn’t had an internship and I knew I would be coming back to New York too late in the summer to get one. I wasn’t sure what I would be doing in the fall, and there were a couple of options that I was actually interested in. I decided to go ahead and send my resume and cover letter in for the event planning internships they offered and I haven’t regretted it once.

I was offered the event management internship with a non-profit called Emergency Architects Australia (EAA). Established in 2005, EAA provides architectural advice, planning, project management and building support in South East Asia and the Pacific Region to communities who have suffered natural disasters or the effects of conflict and who are seeking to reduce avoidable damage from foreseeable extreme events. Over the course of the semester, I planned 5 different events, the biggest of which was a cocktail party for our sponsors. This was also the most challenging because it had never been done before so I had no background, and I had no clue what vendors to contact in Australia!

I learned so much from this experience, both in the field of event planning and about living and working in a different country. I worked in a small, casual office where it was often just my supervisor and I and maybe another intern or volunteer. I interned one full day a week, which fit in perfectly with my school schedule and I was still able to travel and explore on the weekends. My internship was also in a different suburb than my apartment, so I was able to get familiar with another area and with using public transportation. With regards to event planning, I organized a couple of small workshops and meetings, and the large cocktail event. I was in charge of everything from contacting to vendors, securing venues, creating invitations and organizing RSVPs. As a result, I became very comfortable sending “cold emails” (and extremely family with navigating Google). My first internship experience with Emergency Architects Australia will always have a special place in my heart and I look forward to visiting Australia again and stopping in to say hello!

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Thanks Shayna for sharing your internship!

  

Guest Post: Alayna's View from Down Under

This blog post was written by Alayna Dunkerly, a senior at the University of South Carolina. She studied abroad in the Gold Coast area of Queensland. Alayna is a friend and fellow Aussie enthusiast like me!

Studying abroad is a huge (and possibly scary) decision, but I PROMISE it is one you won’t regret. When deciding to study abroad, I was looking for a place and an experience that would introduce me new people, see new things and an opportunity to rediscover myself. I have been to Europe before and always enjoyed my stay but I chose Australia because, unlike Europe, there is no language barrier that would hinder me from becoming close with locals and their way of life. I also chose Australia because I heard so many good things about the laid-back culture, beautiful places and welcoming people.

Kelly Slater Catching a Wave 

12 Apostles, Great Ocean Road

Sydney Opera House

 Alayna, second from left, with Friends in the City

Up Close and Personal with the Local Wildlife

            Looking back, going to Australia was probably the best decision I have ever made. I met some of the most amazing people that, to this day, I still call my best friends. The Australian people were just as amazing as I expected. They were fun, outgoing, welcoming and having a “sweet as” accent didn’t hurt either. The experiences I had while at school and traveling were ones you can’t put a price tag on. Experiences like seeing Kelly Slater surf in the Roxy Quicksilver Pro to sailing around the Sydney harbor are ones that I will cherish forever. Studying abroad also allowed me to learn more about myself than I ever could staying here. Going to another country not knowing a soul and away from my friends and family pushed my outside my comfort zone, yes, but it also showed me how independent and adventurous I could be. I would advise everyone to study abroad not only for exploration of a different country but to be able to embark on a journey that will allow you to reconnect with yourself.

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Thank Alayna for the guest post. I wish I had made it up to that part of Australia.

New Future Unlimited Video

Can you tell how the video producers filmed the students? I figured it out about halfway through. Very clever, but what else do you expect from those Aussies.

 

Australia Through Instagram

 After skimming the first few pages of the Lonely Planet Australia guide, I came across a "Top 25 Experiences" section. Although I didn't do nearly half of the 25, I scored an impressive six out of seven on the top things to do in Australia. I've enlisted the lovely Instagram to highlight these breathtaking places.

1. Sydney Opera House 

2. Great Barrier Reef

3. Melbourne

I'm desperately trying to get a job in this city.

  

 4. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

5. MONA- Muesum of Old and New Art in Hobart, Tasmania 

Unfortunately, I never made it to this Australian island.

6. Daintree Rainforest

7. Great Ocean Road

Which of the "Top 25" will you make it too?

 

Guest Post on StudyAbroad.com

Wow I cannot believe that a year ago to this date I was taking my first steps on Australian soil. To honor this one year anniversary of sorts, I was featured on StudyAbroad.com talking about my experiences in the Land Down Under. Take a look at the article for yourself here.