Our study abroad was more than half way done; we were headed to our fourth city in three weeks. The starting point was Canarvon and the destination was Exmouth, about 4-hours away. Both are on the west coast of Australia. We would pass over the Tropic of Capricorn, hardly stopping, mostly because there were no other places to stop. At first, the drive was very laid back. We talked and got to know each other better while gazing at the vast outback. Our professor, Dr. Jo Ann Beck (Resource Development – MSU), promised ice cream to whoever saw the first emu, Australia's large flightless bird. It would be several days before one was spotted. Being the tallest person on the trip, I was given consideration to ride in the front seat of the Land Rover. As dusk approached, a special job came with riding in the front seat — Kangaroo Spotter. We saw dozens of kangaroos, many of them dead on the side of the road. We learned that when the sun begins to set, kangaroos tend to travel towards the setting sun; which meant that kangaroos east of the road would cross over to the west side. People avoid driving at night in remote areas because it is very likely that they will hit a kangaroo. My professor had more practice and was able to spot them well before I did. She would count them as she saw them, "There's one, two, three, four....". She would urge them to stay where they were, right at the side of the road. I began picking up her spotting techniques. I saw several shadows and bushes that looked like kangaroos from afar, but not many real ones. She drove over the median line, only to pull into our lane when a car passed in the opposite direction. The cars were few and far between. We estimated seeing roughly 75 kangaroos that evening. The last time they made the trip they saw more than 100, I guess we were lucky.

Although kangaroo spotting was a very valuable skill, it was not the main objective of my study abroad experience. The official title of the study abroad trip was Environment Management in Northwestern Australia. The purpose was to experience and learn about the unique wildlife and habitats of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. We learned about many human-induced and natural stressors on the environment as well as the dynamic relationship of environmental management and indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. The program was very intense, involving travel to five cities in four weeks and learning about different environmental management issues at each place. In Darwin and Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory, we came face-to-face with saltwater crocodiles. We learned about Aboriginal culture and the environment, and fire ecology and the environment. In Broome, we camped at the Broome Bird Observatory where we were educated in shorebird migration, habitat destruction and mangrove ecology. We spent a few nights in Perth, by far the largest city in Western Australia, where we had close encounters with kangaroos and wallabies at the Perth Zoo, little penguins and roosting silver gulls at Penguin Island, and wallabies and koalas at Yanchep National Park. In Exmouth we swam with huge whale sharks, the biggest was approximately 25 feet long. We learned about whale shark management and reef & coral systems at Ningaloo Reef. Our final stop was in Denham, located in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area. Working with the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM), we learned about introduced and invasive species, species reintroduction, and ecotourism.

For more than two weeks after the program ended, I traveled with a few other students to different parts of Australia. I thought that since I had flown all the way across the Pacific, I might as well make the most of it and see as much as I could. We spent a week visiting hostels in Cairns and Port Douglas near the Great Barrier Reef and a couple nights sleeping in tents in the Daintree Rainforest. In the Cairns area, we experienced more culture, met more people, and went hiking, sailing, snorkeling, rafting and shopping. There was never a dull moment. We traveled to Sydney and also spent a few nights in the Blue Mountains where we went on extremely intense and challenging hikes, rappelling and caving. In Sydney, we explored the city, saw a Mozart symphony at the Sydney Opera House, shopped and experienced the nightlife. I had imagined traveling with a small group, in a foreign country without a chaperone (for the first time) would be difficult and somewhat scary, but we all worked together, compromised and had a great time.

The program was an absolute joy. The other students were great people and friendships were formed. The instructors were fantastic. Traveling to a different part of the world, experiencing another culture, and learning so much, both about what I was taught, and myself, gave me a real sense of accomplishment. I will always cherish the memories from my study abroad. I will remember it as one of the best experiences of my life. I can not wait to go back!

MSU offers study abroad programs in more than 60 countries on six continents. MSU’s study abroad program boasts 190-plus programs ranging in length from two to six weeks to a semester or an academic year. They are offered during each session, including winter break. Learn more about MSU’s Study Abroad Program by visiting their website: http://studyabroad.msu.edu/

Agricultural Engineering
Michigan State University
A.W. Farrall Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1323
(517) 355-4720

Questions or comments contact: webmaster

Past Newsletters | Agricultural Engineering Home | Michigan State University Home

September 24, 2003