Embedded Files
We began our journey to New South Wales, Australia, where we will be participating in a global enrichment program designed to blend learning, culture, and hands on experience. Throughout this trip, we will stay with host families, attend classes at TAFE Illawarra, and explore local businesses. Along the way, we will experience Australia’s natural beauty and take part in Sydney’s Vivid Festival of Light, making this program a meaningful mix between education, and culture.
I started my day getting ready around 6 AM. Around 8 AM, my roommate and I left the house for the University of Wollongong with our host families; we had breakfast at Panizzi Coffee Shop, and later at 9 AM we walked to TAFE to meet the other students and start the day.
Today was such an eye-opening experience as we explored different areas of TAFE NSW and learned more about Australian culture, education, and industry life. From the beginning of the day, Fumi was working closely with the program and constantly checking on everyone’s safety and wellbeing, which made us feel very supported. One thing that stood out immediately was how multicultural and open Australia is.
Today May 26 was the first day of our study groups, for my group it was Samatha and I. We were together going to the Shellharbour TAFE campus. We had an exciting time learning different aspects of the digestive system in a unique way!! The teacher used play dough to have hands-on experience with the class while also making it entertaining. The entire class was very welcoming and approachable. At the very end we had a small Q&A about the states/ wisconsin which was very fun. We surprised them by telling them about the polar vortexes we experience.
Wednesday was the day we went to the Symbio Wildlife Park. In the morning, we took a bus over to the Yallah campus. The campus is more remote than the other ones, with a lot of nice views and a cozy design. My first class was in block A, where I met with some nice staff from TAFE. There was an issue at first, the woman who was supposed to meet me that day had to take some medical leave, so the rest were not aware of my arrival. However, it was worked out quickly, and I was able to join an imaging class. The class was very interesting and informative. Luckily, I had some prior knowledge of directional terms, which helped when doing worksheets about placing the x-ray in the right spots.
Thursday marked our final day working within our individual program areas, and it proved to be one of the most meaningful days of the week. I spent the morning with David Brookridge and his Parks and Recreation class, where we explored several initiatives focused on environmental restoration and cultural connection.
Our first stop was the campus nursery, where staff shared their ongoing work in re‑naturalizing local landscapes using native Australian plants. They explained how these species support biodiversity, restore damaged ecosystems, and reconnect communities with the natural heritage of the region.
Everyone in the class woke up early to get on the coach bus and drive an hour and some change to Jervis Bay. We had a few minutes to explore the little stores before we got on the boat to watch dolphins. When we reached the boat, the captain explained rules and regulations to us all. We saw dolphins and had a fun boat ride which lasted about 2 hours. I think we all enjoyed it very much. Proceeding the trip to jervis bay we had lunch at Huckinson’s restaurant.
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