“Change is inevitable, growth is intentional.”

(This one is more for me, but I'm happy to share it if you're interested)

July 7 – August 15
• 39 days
• 2 countries & 4 Australian states
• 10 different airports & 11 flights
• 10 different hostels/accommodations
• Traveled by bus, train, shuttle, van, taxi, boat, car and foot

It’s pretty incredible to look back on a series of events that lead me to this point in my life and this trip in particular. I studied hard in high school, ranked in the top 15 of 365 in my graduating class and graduated with honors. I went to community college simultaneously and graduated high school with almost a two year college degree. From there I got into every college I applied to and chose my top choice, The University of Arizona. I was only able to study there because I had earned a generous scholarship and with the funds my mom and dad were able to provide, which I thank both of them, I was confident in my capabilities to go to school, perform well and make enough money working to pay for school and live.

I ended up loving my university and excelled in my program of choice. Working towards my Bachelors of Fine Art, I quickly fell right into the pace of college life and academics. I’ve earned multiple scholarship awards from the school of art as well as independent families that chose to support me. It’s because of the support I’ve received, both finically and mentally, that any of this has become possible.

Last fall, a month or two into classes, I got an email congratulating me on another scholarship (yes, I apply to scholarships like it’s my job). I had already paid my tuition fees and had a budget set out for the fall and was not expecting these extra funds. I had been researching study abroad options because I’ve always wanted to have that experience but it was difficult to find art programs through the UA that weren’t tens of thousands of dollars. I had found a photography program in the outback that was $3,500 and a short course, allowing me to work part of the summer and study a full semester in the fall. At that time it was only a dream, but when I got notice of this scholarship and the financial amounts almost matched perfectly I knew that was a big enough motivation and indication to go for it.

Months later, packets and packets of applications and paperwork later, I was accepted into the Edge of the Outback Photography Course for July 10-Aug 1, 2010. Of course I was ecstatic! At that point I couldn’t believe how everything fell into place, although at times it took some serious work especially dealing with the UA and financial aid, but those are dirty details I don’t want to dwell on.

Paying for my airfare wasn’t easy and I couldn’t justify paying that much money and not seeing the coast, especially the Great Barrier Reef. I talked to a few friends about coming down to travel with me. I talked to Matt, a good friend from UA because he wanted to study down there and then travel which sounded amazing but our timing didn’t match up (don’t worry he still went and had the time of his life!) So I talked to Tiffany about the idea of traveling Australia together towards the end of summer. With budgeting, time management and everything worked out, we booked our flights from LAX to Melbourne, Sydney to Auckland, Auckland to LAX. After more thought and ruling out hiring a camper van and traveling by train, we decided to buy cheap domestic flights and travel that way. As you can see, everything fell into place there.

So you might be questioning how my fall study abroad program came to be? If you didn’t know, I’m participating in a Semester in the Mediterranean program. It’s based out of Cyprus and we travel as a group to Italy, Spain and Greece.

After getting the details settled for this summer it made me want to see what else was out there. My UA credits weren’t lining up perfectly because I couldn’t get particular classes so I was looking at graduating Spring 11, instead of Fall 10. The UA has a great art program in Italy so I was seriously considering that option until I found out they don’t offer studio art classes. I kept looking and looking, was a few days away from signing up for a different Italy program and then I found the one I committed to. This program was way cheaper, offered loan options, I would get to see so much more and study in a different location from most study abroad students.

UA still can’t figure out their details for me and I’ve struggled throughout the entire process of getting this program approved. I refuse to give up and I know I’ll make it happen. With the academic scholarship I was granted from the study abroad program it actually made the cost of UA and abroad the same, the only problem was not all my financial aid could be applied. That’s were more loans came in, but I know this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I’m not going to pass up, even if I’m paying off student loans until I’m 50!

Kristen, a good friend from, oh, 3rd grade just moved to Germany with her husband and I figured she would like to see an old friend! I wrote her and asked about visiting and she welcomed me instantly! I was looking at plane tickets and I was about to have a 16 hour layover in London which seemed like yet another opportunity to capitalize on. I altered my plans and invited Kristen along and now I’m visiting Kristen in Germany for about 4-5 days and then we’re spending a few days in London together before I fly to school.

Even more exciting, a girl from my program in Australia will be living in London when I visit and she invited me to stay with her. I’m so happy I can keep in touch with her and extend our relationship across the world! So I’ll be staying with Kristen in Germany and then my schoolmate in London and then off to school until December 20, 2010.

I just keep going in circles unable to completely comprehend everything I’ve done and where I’m at. I just spent roughly 6 weeks abroad when I never thought that would happen. I spent my first day completely by myself which was so empowering; it allowed time for reflection and made no distractions from everything that was in front of me. I then met the other 19 students and multiple professors, artists and faculty that I would spend the next 3 weeks with. I travelled hours and hours away from any big cities into the middle of nowhere where the kangaroos outnumber the people. I spent days and nights away from white culture and lived in an aboriginal community with a good friend, Peter Peterson showing us around, leading us in songs around the fire and teaching us lifelong lessons. I then worked with some incredible artists and photographers who recognized where I’m at with photography and where I’m at conceptually with my art which was such a compliment if nothing else. I ended my study abroad experience in the best of light and wouldn’t trade it for anything different. Tiffany met me and I got a taste of real traveling. No one picking me up at the airport, no calling friends or family, just us making our way from place to place. We took advantage of what every city had to offer; Adelaide had an amazing wildlife park, Cairns had everything incredible including diving, snorkeling and the best nightlife, Sydney had their classic Opera House and the bridge climb and just a big city attitude. New Zealand wasn’t so nice, the weather hated us and cancelled our Sky Jump and black water rafting in caves, but we were grateful for the money back in our pocket and the experience of diving down south even if it was to eat lunch and turn around.

More than anything else I hope to remember the people. You can visit a city anytime, you can pay to go out in a boat and you can buy a drink in any bar around the world but I can’t replace the people I met. They’ve inspired me to travel as much as possible. They’ve taught me to relax, there is a reason Australia produces so many “No Worries” tee-shirts and New Zealand so many “Sweet As.” products. I hope to hold onto a bit of their relaxed mentality. Meeting people like Peter, you realize there are in fact some people you’ll never forget for the rest of your life. I’ve also realized I will forget some people’s names, but there is no way I will forget the way they made me feel and the impact they’ve made on my life. I’ve met people from literally all over the world traveling these few weeks with Tiffany. I had lined out all the places I wanted to travel realistically for a while but now I know I need to travel to Ireland one day and see much more of the world in general.

I’m so grateful for everything and everyone in my life right now. I fly to the states in about 12 hours after weeks of being gone without a cell phone, little internet connection, a lot of quiet time and it’s made me realize a lot. Thanks to everyone who has supported me in any sort of way. I realize this is an end to one journey but the start of so many more.

Love always and forever,
Me, Myself and I <3