Study Abroad in Australia: Dominic Done

 Cheers & welcome to another post for “There Be Dragons!” my name is Dominic Done. I hope you can join me in revisiting one of the most incredible experiences during my time as an undergrad, where I studied for five months in Perth, Western Australia! 

Before we depart, I’d like to provide some background about myself. I am a third-year student who transferred to UNCG from an Early College in Monroe, NC. I am majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management, which was further appreciated throughout my study abroad experience. I am also a Global Honors student at the Lloyd International Honors College and am involved with numerous student organizations.

Academics:

In July 2023, I embarked on an unforgettable journey to the Land Down Under, where I discovered a newfound love for myself, my major, and my outlook on life. I studied at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Western Australia—one of UNCG’s partner universities—and joined a vibrant community of thousands of international students.

While at ECU, I gained invaluable hands-on experience in event management and tourism, strengthening my passion for a future career in the industry. The university also provided the support and resources I needed to navigate cultural and academic challenges while helping me build skills that continue to serve me back home in the United States.

Embracing the Aussie Lifestyle:

Living in Perth taught me the importance of work-life balance and various life skills. Australians are known for their laid-back attitude, and this relaxed approach was a breath of fresh air during my time abroad. With its calm and scenic vibe, Perth is the perfect place to appreciate the simple joys of life. I quickly learned to value quality time with friends and family, a lesson that made homesick days a little tougher but also reminded me of the importance of meaningful connections.

Adventure is Out There!

Beyond academics and my growing love for event planning and event tourism, my favorite part of this experience was the endless opportunities for exploration and adventure.

Within my first week, I joined my parents on a 17-mile bike ride around Rottnest Island. The island’s pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters were breathtaking, and, of course, we couldn’t resist taking selfies with the happiest animal on earth—quokkas!

I also had the incredible chance to visit Sydney and Melbourne. As a self-proclaimed thrifting and café enthusiast, I was utterly captivated by the local fashion and café culture. Seeing these aspects of daily life through a new lens inspired me to appreciate these cities' creative energy and incited more inspiration to travel and explore further!

Out of all the fantastic experiences and gift-shop gits, I would say that the most memorable gift that I brought back with me is my koala tattoo! This hand poke tattoo I got in a local shop near the beach in Perth symbolizes the appreciation for exploration and change and the understanding that not all life changes are bad. Getting a tattoo in various countries is now a new tradition I plan to carry on as I continue my career traveling the world!

¡Viva España! - A Month in Cádiz, Spain

¡Viva España! - A Month in Cádiz, Spain

¡Hola everyone! My name is Zainab and welcome to another post of the “There Be Dragons” blog! I’m a BA Studio Art major with a minor in Rhetoric & Public Advocacy. I’m also completing International Honors and studied Spanish for my language requirement. I’m also a Reynolds Scholar.

 

1- Smiles from La Torre Tavira, the highest point in Cadiz.

 

In May 2024, I studied abroad in southern Spain for one month with the UNCG Faculty Led: Summer in Spain program. I lived in Cádiz alongside other UNCG students and took classes from UNCG professors. We immersed ourselves in the culture, went on excursions to nearby cities, and practiced our Spanish skills. This experience was extremely impactful for me. I challenged myself, greatly improved my language skills, and discovered new things about myself.

 

2 - Group photo during our Day 1 tour of the city.

 

First, I wanted to share how I found this program. I set a goal to study abroad the summer before my junior year. I looked for faculty-led summer programs as they best fit my comfort level, planned course load, and degree path. I also knew I wanted to take Spanish for the Honors language requirement. All of these factors led me to Summer in Spain. I also looked at previous student experiences and saw that many Honors College students had enjoyed the program. Furthermore, the inclusion of historical excursions also caught my eye as I was interested in learning about the region’s Islamic influence. Lastly, with the support of the Reynolds Scholarship, I had a clear path to studying abroad in Spain!

From the beginning of this trip, I stepped out of my comfort zone. I had traveled internationally before, but never alone. Shortly before my flight, which would have been alongside others in the program, there was a system error and I had to rebook. This led me to arriving a day late by myself. That experience, while scary at first, taught me how to adapt to the unexpected. I was able to make my way to Cádiz on my own with only two courses of Spanish and a limited exposure to the culture!

 

I also wanted to improve my Spanish skills through this program. My speaking and conversation skills were limited due to a lack of confidence and practice. Being assigned homestay accommodations with native Spanish speakers and going on Spanish-language tours greatly aided in my improvement. Thanks to everything from talking to waiters to daily conversation practice with my classmates and professors, speaking Spanish became much easier by the time I left Cádiz. I hope to continue practicing by engaging with UNCG opportunities and consuming more Spanish language media.

 

3 - Visiting El Parque Genoves with my roommates, which

included two students from a university in Mississippi 

 

As previously stated, I also found value in what this program helped me discover about myself. My previous travel experience was limited to trips to see family abroad. Being in southern Spain (with its rich history, vibrant architecture, and unique culture) opened my eyes up to how wonderful travel can be. I discovered how I could combine my love of photography and architecture to document my travels. I can now see how travel deeply helps the mind and soul. 

 

Reflecting on my favorite experiences, I think about our trips to the sprawling Alhambra complex or the elaborate Gothic style Cathedral of Seville. I think about the town of Cádiz, small yet filled with lively people, pretty plazas, and savory seafood dishes. I think about unexpected adventures such as learning how to make a tortilla de patatas with Dr. Laura Hortal and a few other students or a walk on La Caleta exploring tidal pools with my roommate. These experiences are ones I already miss dearly and look back on fondly. They are moments that could never be replicated.

4 - Views of the Alhambra, Granada, Spain.

5 - The Gothic Cathedral of Seville

6 - One of Cadiz’s many picturesque streets.

7 - Made an authentic Tortilla de Patatas!

8 - Sunset from a boat during our final week.

 

Studying abroad in Cádiz is something I will cherish as the starting point for a new outlook on life. The semester prior to my trip was emotionally and academically challenging for me. Leaving the United States and being exposed to new things was so refreshing. I made lifelong friends. I renewed my sense of gratitude for my support system. I gained knowledge that will aid my future academics and career. I am grateful for how Reynolds and Honors has led me to this moment and I can’t wait to see how it will shape my future. Thank you for reading!