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John Gervais
John Gervais is an Ambassador who studied abroad in Australia
Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your trip that made a lasting impression.
As most people on the Australia program will say, the one cultural experience that made a lasting impression on me was the trip to Broome. While in Broome, we were exposed to a number of Aboriginal customs and traditions. We also learned the relationships between the White and Aboriginal communities and came to appreciate the work that has been done to bridge the gaps in that relationship.
Why did you choose the program in which you participated?
I have a brother and a sister that graduated from CSB/SJU and they both said that the biggest regret they had during their time here was not participating in a Study Abroad program. After they told me that, I knew for sure that I wanted to experience a semester abroad. It has been one of my life goals to travel to Australia so when the opportunity arose for me to study there, I jumped at it.
Describe your overall study abroad experience.
IT WAS AWESOME! I know that is the first thing that everyone says but it is the absolute truth. If you talk to all 27 CSB/SJU students that went, you are going to get 27 different amazing experiences, each of which would take hours and hour to truly explain. No one experience is the same but they all have one thing in common: they were all AWESOME. For me personally, I enjoyed the fact that I had so many different opportunities to go do some really sweet activities in so many places. In New Zealand, I went bungee jumping, white water rafting, climbed a mountain, and enjoyed that awesome backpacker nightlife. I went to Cairns and snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef. In Sydney, I toured the Opera House and explored the city. Over Easter Break, we went on a week, 1800 mile RV trip across Western Australia. During Study Week, I went island hopping in Thailand on a jet boat.
Believe me, there's tons of stuff to do and they are all well worth it!
How has the trip affected you? How are you different for having completed the experience?
I think the biggest thing that has changed for me is that I have become a much more independent person in that I make my own decisions without as much outside input. Being in a place that is entirely new and without the influences of my normal life allowed me to grow into my own self and truly find my own way of life.
What advice do you have for future Study Abroad Students?
1. Make lots and lots and lots of money before hand, and maybe even get a job while your there (I did and it was literally one of the best decisions of my trip).
2. Once your there, do as much stuff as you can!
Do you have questions about studying abroad in Australia? Email John at jmgervais@csbsju.edu.