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Stephanie Kaplan
Stephanie Kaplan is an Ambassador who studied abroad in Australia.
Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your trip that made a lasting impression.
The Australia program gives students the amazing opportunity to live with an Aboriginal family for a few days in northern Australia. Not only am I convinced that this is one of the most gorgeous places on earth, it is also a place with a large history and huge cultural tradition. These people opened their home and hearts to us for almost a week. They cooked us traditional meals, and answered hard, personal questions about their culture as honestly as they could. One particular conversation was held with the father and husband of the family, Colin. Colin spent a few hours with us every day talking to us about his people's past and traditions, and answering what he could of our inquiries. During this conversation, we began to talk about the Stolen Generation, and how it had affected Colin. He told us that his mother had been taken as a child and hadn't been able to reunite with her mother until several decades later. It was a personal and saddening moment, but Colin did not appear angry. Someone asked him if his mother hated white people because of her past, how she could handle him hosting a bunch of white people after what had been done to her. We all held our breath, the question seemed to prying, but Colin smiled at us and taught me one of the most important lessons of my life. He said that his people were forgiving, they were not angry about the past, and they did not hold grudges. The Aboriginal people wanted to recognize what happened, they wanted to be able to say it was real, and move forward from it in unison with the white people. Being angry only seeks revenge, Colin said, and revenge only yields more pain for everyone. This lesson sticks with me in several ways, but it also reminds me of the Australian culture on a whole. Australians are relaxed people. They would rather talk things over than fight; they'd rather lie back on a beach than point fingers. This laid back and forgiving attitude is seen from the Aboriginal storytelling to the professors at UNDA, what is important is what we do here and now, not what fighting our ancestors did. This attitude gives Australia a whole different feel; one that I miss greatly, and wish we had more of in the United States.
Why did you choose the program in which you participated?
Since a very young age I have been passionate about traveling. I have been fortunate enough to have traveled to Europe a few times with my family and even lived in Spain with friends for ten days in high school. Traveling has always meant a lot to me, and always offered me the opportunity to learn about myself in a completely different way. To be honesty, I've had a passport since I was two. Being in an airport relaxes me, and I have no problem flying. The only thing I get frustrated about when it comes to traveling is how little I feel I've seen. Study abroad was never a question for me, it was a must. I think it's so important to get out of your comfort zone and to experience something foreign. Even more importantly, Study Abroad offers a chance to live away from everything you know, to gain confidence in yourself and the knowledge of independence that is unattainable while living close to home. I wanted to see something new, to soak in a different world, to be on my own and learn in a whole different light. Australia made so much sense to me as a program. It is outdoorsy, wild and adventurous. At the same time it is English speaking and Westernized, which I wanted. The pictures I saw took my breath away, and the way students talked about it closed the deal. I thought it was incredible that we were going to have the opportunity to live with Aboriginal people and learn firsthand about their culture. I was thrilled to learn that you were actually enrolled in the university, so you had many classes you could choose from... and you took them with Australians! I loved that our house was going to be a few minutes' walk from the beach, and right around the corner would be a huge park to run, play and lay around in. It really didn't hurt that I knew I was going to see actual, live kangaroos, too! It seemed that Australia offered the opportunity for adventure and independence I was looking for, and I was right. Australia was a perfect fit.
Describe your overall study abroad experience.
I would say that I did more than I thought was possible in those few months. I surfed on the southern waters of Western Australia and snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef off of the North Eastern coast. I spent two weeks in Sydney, and had big adventures in New Zealand. We spent our spring break with an Aboriginal family, and I ended up learning more about life than people I've known for years have taught me; and then flew to Thailand to spend time in Bangkok. Fremantle was beautiful, we spent great weekends touring our temporary home: running along the coast, shopping in the markets, and eating amazing seafood. We took road-trips up and down the western coast and explored incredible terrain. We made amazing friends, met people not only from all over the country, but all over the world. (I now regularly Skype with two of my best friends, one in Australia; one in Africa.) I would say that Studying Abroad was the best adventure ever, and Australia gave me everything I put into it. I swam with sea turtles and string rays; rode camels and elephants; lived in a converted hotel with thirty of my best friends; took classes with Australian students and made friends with them; watched the most beautiful sunsets imaginable in the biggest sky I've ever seen; had bonfires on the beach with billions of stars lighting up the sky; and made memories that are going to last me my lifetime. Australia is my second home now, and although getting on that plane to Sydney was one of the scariest things I have ever done, it was the best decision of my whole life. Everyone should Study Abroad, I really believe that.
How has the trip affected you? How are you different for having completed the experience?
Australia changed my outlook on life in many ways. I came home a more independent and confident person. I know that is the typical response, but it is the truth. I suddenly knew what I was capable of: traveling around the world on my own, budgeting my own money, making my way around foreign cities with no adults. I lived more in those few months than I had my whole life. Studying Abroad showed me that the world is much bigger than family vacations. It gave me a sense of cutting loose from the normal day-to-day life, but gave me an appreciation for coming home that I never knew before. I made closer friends, laughed harder, respected myself more, and had a more open-mind than I have ever had before. I was impressed with my own self-growth, and made a pact with friends that we would not allow ourselves to go back to the "old us" just because we were home. I felt freer to make my own decisions, more able to be honest with others and myself, and more confident to spend my time and money where and how I wanted than ever before. I came back with accomplishments that I never would have thought I could achieve. Straight A's in a different continent, skydiving even though I'm afraid of heights, running eight miles when I had never ran a mile before, living in a house with practically strangers when I hate leaving my friends from home, even knowing that I could cook my own dinner when I had never had to do so before. Australia made me open my eyes to my own abilities as well as have more respect for the abilities and accomplishments of those around me. Study Abroad has made me a more proud person, it has made me a better friend, it has given me memories that give me confidence and make me smile. Studying Abroad makes you live bigger, breath deeper and open up to things that seem like worlds away. At the end of it all Studying Abroad changes everything, my life will never be the same and I wouldn't give it up for anything.
What advice do you have for future Study Abroad Students?
I would say that Studying Abroad will be everything you make it. To be selfish with their time and money because the only regrets they'll have is not doing what they wanted to do. I would say to have an open-mind and heart because they're life will be flipped upside down. They should embrace the change, soak in the new culture and embrace the new way of life. Australia will teach them a new way of living, and that is a beautiful thing, it's something that most people never get to experience. I think it's important to let them know that getting to know Aussies, talking to them in class, having conversations with them around town and chatting with professors is the best way to learn about their country. Take advantage of the natural beauty, take road trips and go explore. Be open to everyone you will be living with, those people will become your family, caretakers and best friends if you let them. Do things that you did not ever think you would be able to do. Go to Thailand with thirteen of your best friends, go surfing in Margaret River and go explore the Pinnacles and Monkey Mia. There are limitless opportunities to see amazing things, so grip onto everyone you can. I would say to make sure to respect those who are trying to teach you, from classes, to your RS's to the Aboriginal family you will live with-it is important to be attentive and show consideration for those who want your experience to mean something. Work hard at your studies, even though it seems like one big vacation, you are expected to go to classes and do well. Besides, it is incredibly interesting to learn in a whole new school system, and there are a lot of lessons to be learned from foreign professors. Play hard, have fun! The time is limited, and to leave happy is to leave with amazing memories. There are chances every day to do something incredible, and time flies so take advantage of every minute and live to the fullest. The semester abroad will be one of the best times of your life.