As soon as I returned home from the school year, I began preparing for a two-month, global adventure. I was lucky enough to be accepted into both Duke in Rome and Duke in Australia, study-abroad commitments that required me to be international from May 14th until July 20th. Now, with a camera roll full of fun and a jet-lagged body from just reflecting on it all, to say that I learned a lot would be an understatement!
Landing in Fiumicino, I was finally hit with the reality that I would be in Italy for a full month. The academic focus was this: architecture, classical history, and classical art. Cuma, Pompeii, Rome, and a myriad of surround towns and cities were grand hosts to us. While visiting different archeological sites and ancient ruins, we were transported back in time to the ages even before the Roman emperors. I think that my favorite site of all were the caves of Sperlonga, where emperor Tiberius often hosted guests for dinner. Or perhaps, this very emperor’s villa in Capri. Maybe even something a bit more modern, like St.Peter’s Basilica.
The program was full of many amazing experiences. I never imagined that my own eyes would watch the Pope proclaim an Italian speech as he blessed St. Peter’s square, me included. I’ve tried more variations of pasta, sauce, and meats than I could think of. I’ve memorized maps of the Roman Forum and dates of Emperors from Augustus to the Severan Dynasty. It was truly a whirlwind of a month.
Then I hopped on an 8 hour flight to Abu Dhabi, followed by a 14 hour flight to Sydney, and then a 5 hour flight to Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. A new adventure began. Over the course of a month, we studied Australian biodiversity in the Northern Territory, Katoomba, Sydney, Yungaburra, Cape Tribulation, and Cairns.
While visiting different natural sites, zoos, parks, and historical monuments, it seemed like Australia’s millions year-old history was unveiled to me. We learned a myriad of biology, geology, history, Aboriginal culture, and more! I am able to identify over 100 Australian plant and animal species. I’ve hiked through ancient forests and swam in beautiful waterfalls, overlooking the same cliffs that Darwin once studied. I saw tons of kangaroos, wallaroos, and wallabies both in zoos and the wild. I saw a dancing performance at the Sydney Opera House. I petted a koala!
I’ve never camped before, so camping in Kakadu National park and Litchfield were certainly outside of my comfort zone. Besides hearing dingoes howling at night, I definitely enjoyed myself! It was extraordinary to bake bread on a stick over a campfire as well as eat BBQ crocodile and kangaroo courtesy of our tour guides. My ultimate favorite experience was swimming with the corals, sea turtles, and rays at the Great Barrier Reef. The thirty-minute boat ride back to the beach from the reef was exhilarating to say the least.
Finally, we were all on a flight back to LAX. After circumnavigating the globe, I was happy to land on U.S. soil and reflect on my two-month experience. Crikey! Grazie, Duke!
