Summer Abroad in Australia

Hello! 

     My name is Tescha Wattles and I've been accepted at the CIEE Summer Abroad Program where I get to go to Australia and participate in their Wildlife Conservation from Land to Sea Program. In this program, I get to observe unique Australian wildlife in the Marine, Coastal, and Bushland ecosystems in and around Sydney alongside a local guide and an environmentalist. I also get to explore Australia's culture heritage and way of life.

    I get to take a ferry to Manley Beach and visit the quarantine station. Here I get to learn how migration has impacted the Australian environment and society. I also get to go to the Eucalyptus Forest and listen to the Aboriginal legend of the Three Sisters as well as going snorkeling in the Cabbage Tree Aquatic Reserve and swim with 200 species of fish. I even get to play with Koala's, Kangaroo's, Quokka's and other fun Australian marsupials. On the day-to-day basis, I get to experience breakfast in the dorms, different morning and afternoon hands-on classes, community service or cultural workshops, and then dinner in the dorms or out in the community. For the weekends, we will have overnight or day excursions to top destinations, such as the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. I get to experience a new culture and new people throughout these 3 weeks. Meeting new people and learning more about how animals function and thrive in different environments. At the end of the program, I have to give a report on what I learned, more specifically, the role of biodiversity conservation in our daily lives and the need of society for a thriving country.

    I am so excited about this opportunity. I have always loved animals and throughout these last few years my interest and love of animals has grown.  This is an amazing opportunity for me and I cannot wait to share it with you.