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Cole Schiffler
Cole Schiffler is an Ambassador who studied abroad in Australia
Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your trip that made a lasting impression.
Our group went to Broome while we were in Australia, and it was an absolute amazing experience. We were fortunate enough to live with aboriginal people for five days. We learned how to go mud-crabbing, how to fish with rocks using the tides, and learned many stories of the aboriginals' unfortunate past.
Why did you choose the program in which you participated?
I chose Australia because I am an outdoors person, and it has always been my dream to study abroad in Australia. Even before I was accepted to St. John's, I knew that I wanted to study abroad in Australia. On top of it being my dream, I loved the romantic idea of the outback. I wanted to go wrangle up some kangaroos or crocodiles, just like Crocodile Dundee.
Describe your overall study abroad experience.
That studying abroad, regardless of where you go, will be a life changing experience. The people you go with will become your family, and your advisor will become your parents. It is an experience you will never have again. When returning home, all of your friends and family will ask you how your trip was, and the only thing you'll be able to say is that it was amazing. You will want to talk about your trip for hours upon hours, but no matter how much you tell them stories about how amazing it was, they will NEVER know what you did. Only you will. Your friends that didn't study abroad will keep saying "geeze, I wish I would have done that." That right there is what you don't want to be saying in one year. You want to be that person that others are jealous of.
How has the trip affected you? How are you different for having completed the experience?
I can honestly say that I am a different person after studying abroad. I have realized how to live with no regrets. While I was abroad, many opportunities arose and I had the option of saying, yes or no. As the trip went on, and kept saying "yes," and that has made all the difference. I took part in experiences that many of my other friends would and will never consider. I bunjee jumped four times, skydived, whitewater rafted, scuba dove, cliff jumped, mussel dove, and countless other amazing experiences. Being a "yes man" has shown me how to truly live life.
What advice do you have for future Study Abroad Students?
Do everything. Spend money you don't have. You're going to CSB/SJU because you want to get a good education so you can get a well paying job. Your well paying job will take care of that nasty debt from skydiving, bungee jumping, scuba diving, etc. I can also guarantee, you will never regret the things you did. These are stories you will have forever.