Compared to previous weeks on this extraordinary adventure, this one was particularly busy, engaging, and emotional. Academically, it was a whirlwind. I had to prepare for my final exam in International Finance and write a lengthy final essay. I chose to explore the debate over Australia Day and its significance. Additionally, I dedicated a substantial amount of time to my essay for the Management in a Global, Societal, and Cultural Context class, reflecting on my experiences and analyzing e-books about the cultures of Australia and Singapore. On top of that, I had several interviews for an upcoming internship in Singapore. Hopefully, all will yield positive outcomes.
Despite my packed schedule, I still managed to squeeze in some extracurricular activities. For the last time, I enjoyed the Coogee to Bondi Beach coastal walk, taking in the incredible views and the powerful waves at Maroubra Beach (as seen in the first picture attached below). I also spent a significant amount of time finding unique Australian gifts for my friends and family back home and figuring out how to fit everything into my suitcase. Last but not least, I attended a farewell party with my local friends in Sydney. The atmosphere was incredible, it was hands down the best party I’ve attended in Australia. It was the perfect send-off, a final flourish on my time in Sydney.
On Saturday, my fellow Bucknellians and I left Sydney and continued our journey to Cairns, where we’ll be spending a week enjoying Spring Break. Fortunately, this part of Queensland remained unaffected by Cyclone Alfred, unlike areas in Southeast Queensland, where hundreds of thousands were left without electricity. I sincerely hope those regions recover soon.
We arrived in Cairns early Saturday afternoon and immediately embraced the resort lifestyle, enjoying poolside relaxation and beach bars. Later that evening, we had a welcome dinner where we discussed our schedule for the upcoming week. On Sunday, we embarked on a chartered boat, spending the day scuba diving and snorkeling. Witnessing the breathtaking underwater world, something I’d only ever seen on National Geographic, left me completely spellbound. The colors, the movement, and the sheer variety of marine life were mesmerizing. I even spotted creatures I had only ever seen on TV, like delicate nudibranchs and steephead parrotfish. What an incredible start to Spring Break!
Sydney, thank you for being so amazing and welcoming. I will cherish these memories forever.
