As we come towards the end of this trip, I wanted to use this final blog to highlight some of my favorite experiences during the program. Studying abroad in the Asia Pacific has opened my eyes to so many different cultures and amazing places on the other side of the world. Prior to this program, I had really only been to one place in the Asia-Pacific, Hong Kong. But during my time here, I have been able to see so many other countries, aside from Australia and Singapore, including New Zealand and Indonesia; and I still plan on travelling to Malaysia and South Korea before we head back home to the United States. I thought now would be the perfect time to bring it all together – to revisit the highlights of this experience and share why each place and activity has left such a lasting impact on me. Because in the end, it’s not just about where you go – it’s about how those experiences shape the way you see the world, and yourself.
Queenstown, New Zealand
New Zealand was one of the most naturally beautiful places in the world that I have ever visited. The mountains were like nothing I had ever seen before. The water in the lakes were turquoise and sparkling in the sunlight. My favorite picture that I have taken thus far in my life came from this trip; it was the landscape of the final destination at the end of the Hooker Valley Trail in Queenstown, New Zealand. Initially, I was disappointed when we set out on the hike under gray skies and a light drizzle. I had imagined the landscape glowing under a clear, sunny sky. But to my surprise, the moody weather enhanced the moment – the mist hanging in the air gave the scene a haunting kind of beauty, and the soft rays of sunlight breaking through the clouds added a sense of depth and mystery to the view. I have never really been an outdoorsy person, and I have never been on a real hike before visiting New Zealand. But this experience shifted something in me. It sparked a newfound passion for outdoor adventures, and a deeper appreciation for the raw, unfiltered beauty of the natural world. I used to be completely content indoors, wrapped in the comfort of routine and shelter. But I’ve come to realize that there’s a unique kind of magic in stepping outside and immersing yourself in nature. The exhilaration of discovering the world with your own eyes, on your own feet is incomparable to anything else. Sometimes, it takes a single journey to awaken a part of yourself you never knew existed. And for me, New Zealand was that awakening.
The Great barrier Reef
Visiting the Great Barrier Reef was one of the most surreal and breathtaking experiences of my life. The reef stretched endlessly in dazzling colors, teeming with life in a way I had only ever seen in documentaries and movies. The water was crystal clear, allowing me to see the intricate details of the coral and the vibrant marine creatures that call it home. I’ve gone snorkeling before, but nothing has ever come close to this. It was without a doubt one of the most captivating places I’ve ever explored. Studying abroad has already pushed me out of my comfort zone, but this experience in particular shifted my perspective in a way I never expected. It made me realize the importance of conservation, the urgency of protecting the world’s natural wonders, and how firsthand encounters with nature can change the way we see the world. There is something magical about seeing it all with your own eyes, where no picture, no video, no description could ever truly capture it.
The Chinese and Japanese Gardens
Walking through the Chinese and Japanese Gardens in Singapore felt like stepping into a hidden sanctuary, tucked away from the city’s constant motion. The moment I entered, the world seemed to slow down. The pagodas stood gracefully against the skyline, their reflections dancing in the still ponds below. In that moment of calm, I found a kind of peace I didn’t even realize I was missing. Studying abroad has been full of excitement, constant movement, and new experiences – but it can also be a lot to take in. This garden offered the rare chance to pause, breathe, and just be. It taught me something simple but important – some of the most powerful moments in life aren’t big or adrenaline-filled. They’re the quiet ones that remind you to slow down and check in with yourself. This visit reminded me of the importance of finding spaces to slow down, reflect, and just exist in the moment.
Milk Beach Sunsets
My favorite part of this whole trip has been watching the sunset on the Australian beaches. Watching the sunset on the beach is such a simple and overlooked activity, and I feel like sometimes it isn’t appreciated enough. However, being in Australia, I felt that I had to take advantage of the beautiful beaches and natural scenery. Being able to take a step back from reality, especially on a trip where a lot is always happening, is something that I value in life; and I was able to find that at the Australian beaches during sunset. Out of all the beaches I visited in Australia, Milk Beach stood out the most to me. I liked to think of this beach as the one place where I could get away and just clear my mind. The incredible view of the ocean and the city, with the orange and pink sunset in the backdrop, captivated me the moment I laid eyes on the landscape. This was my happy place, where I found my own little pocket of peace; even if it’s miles away from home.
Conclusion
As I look ahead to the final weeks of this journey, I’m still incredibly thrilled for what’s to come. I’ve got a few more adventures planned, and I’m excited to experience even more cultures and explore new corners of this side of the world before it’s time to head home. I’m deeply thankful to have been part of this program – it’s given me countless unforgettable experiences that have genuinely shifted the way I see the world. If there’s one core lesson I’ll carry with me, it’s this: we, as human beings, are far more resilient and adaptable than we give ourselves credit for. One of my favorite personal mottos is, “Your comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.” For me, that comfort zone was being at Bucknell. I would’ve been more than happy spending this semester at Bucknell, but if I had stayed, I wouldn’t have discovered the growth and perspective that only comes from stepping into the unfamiliar. At first, being dropped into a completely different culture thousands of miles from home was intimidating. Everything felt foreign – every person had different mannerisms, every building seemed taller, even something as simple as crossing the street felt different. But soon enough, I learned that comfort isn’t a guarantee – it’s a gift. And once you let go of needing it all the time, you start to find your rhythm and thrive in a place that once felt overwhelming. There was a moment early on when I asked myself, How am I going to get through an entire semester away from everything I’ve ever known? But before long, that worry transformed into something greater: gratitude. Gratitude for waking up each day in an amazing new place with so much to explore. Gratitude for the challenge, for the discomfort, and for the chance to grow. In the end, life is about diving into the deep end and learning to feel at home in the unknown. That’s where the real growth happens. And if there’s anything this experience has taught me, it’s that you don’t need everything to be familiar or perfect in order to thrive – you just need to show up, stay curious, and keep going forward. If I had to give one piece of advice to someone debating studying abroad for a semester, it would be this: take the leap and just do it. The lessons you’ll earn go far beyond the classroom, culture, language, or landscape – you’ll discover parts of yourself you never knew existed. And that kind of growth is worth every risk.