Here I am. Almost to the end of the line. My journey in Adelaide is at its close and it is heart breaking. I can’t even begin to describe everything I have seen in the land down under, the amazing people I have met and gotten to know and the once in a life time experiences I have had.
It is bitter sweet thinking about my time here, knowing that if I ever come back to South Australia it will never be the same. That’s the beauty of memories I guess, to keep them treasured in your heart forever, just as they were when you left them. I have a lot of memories all over this world but, I know that my stories from Australia are truly one of a kind and I got to share them with twenty six wonderful individuals, not to mention two of the coolest professors that I know.
The last theme of the week ever for my time abroad is America. It’s my home, the place I began this journey and the place that it ends. You can travel the whole world but nothing will compare to your home. I will admit, I am excited to come back to my family, friends and horse but, at the same time, that means I am back into a routine and reality. No more spontaneity or Australian accents. Its school, riding, working out and applying for scholarships and jobs. Not that either of these lifestyles is better than the other, they are just both different and have their own unique qualities. I will always feel so fortunate and blessed though to have had this experience of living in a city and studying abroad.
I have truly stepped out of my comfort zone here; I have gained skills and experienced things that I could have never discovered in America. I am so excited to share all of my stories and travels with family and friends as soon as I arrive.
One of the hardest things that I will have to face though when I come back to America is answering the question “So what did you do in Australia?” I do not think I could ever sum up this experience in one sentence. Not only did I visit four Australian states, Kangaroo island, see all types of wildlife and landscapes, try many different foods, travel over 12,000 miles to and within Australia alone but, I have learned and experienced more things about myself and the world around me in two short months then I ever have in a year.
I gained confidence from travelling alone and with my friends, I learned to be independent from my life in America by literally moving from the little town of 40,000 people in San Luis Obispo to moving into a city with over one million people. I learned how to be a little spontaneous and pick a destination but not know what I was really going there to see, I have also learned how to slow down and how to appreciate living in the present. One of the greatest things though that I have come back with is an even stronger appreciation and global knowledge of agriculture.
I want to do a separate post about this because my findings were truly an inspiration to me. I was privileged to visit one of the largest dairy farms in South Australia, interview a local farmer at the Adelaide farmer’s market and take an extensive tour of the Adelaide show grounds.
My perspective of Australia and the world around me has forever changed for the better. You really never know where your life will take you or the incredible people that you will meet along the way. This experience would not have been the same without my amazing friends and professors. I can never thank them enough for making this one of the best experiences of my life.
The adventures will still continue, back in America or wherever these same old boots take me.
Same Old Boots, New Adventures 