Initial Thoughts

At first I was hesitant to sign up for this class. Not because of the hiking aspects or because I didn’t think it sounded interesting enough. I was hesitant to sign up because it doesn’t fulfill any of my major requirements or any general education requirements by my university back home. Now I can say I have never been more excited for a class three weeks into a semester.

I decided to sign up because, when in Australia, I want to be outdoors as much as possible. This class is going to bring a whole new perspective to enjoying the outdoors and it will bring me closer to people who are also excited about being in nature and hiking and doing adventurous things.

In my lifetime so far, I’ve been lucky enough to experience a number of adventures myself. From paragliding (twice), to glacier trekking, zip lining, white water rafting and more, to simply hiking with my family from a young age, adventure has always been at the core of my being. That doesn’t mean I’m not absolutely scared to death when I am about to partake on a new adventure, it simply means that I know how conquer my fears and how to always say “yes” when presented a new opportunity.

I think I will bring my experience with adventure, optimism, and my organization skills to any group with whom I work. My majors – public policy and global health – require an abundant amount of group work and I have a lot of practice working with others. I am excited to translate this knowledge into a new environment, where it will be less about turning in assignments, except for the media campaign, and more about reflecting on ourselves and nature with fellow students who are also looking to make the most of their time here.

The trips will certainly provide the unique experience of exploring new areas with a group of people who I don’t know very well. I am hoping to bond with others, see new places, and make memories of a lifetime! That’s not too much to ask for from one class, right?