Sitting here drinking a refreshing coconut milk smoothie at my favorite restaurant, Backstreet Burgers & Espresso Bar, I can’t help but smile from the memories I’ve created on my journey. In this place alone, I have spent hours and hours studying for my anatomy and physiology courses. But with that I formed a relaxing place to come for my studies, became good friends with the sweet girl who worked here, and of course had some amazing food. Needing a good place to relax and write some reflection of my time here on the Sunshine Coast, the Backstreet Burgers is clearly the place to be.

The most recent update of my time here was of the Great Barrier Reef and K’gari island outing. It has being over a month since those adventures, a month full of studying, plenty of exams, and small outings. I was unsure of what to expect from university studies in Australia, and my classes proved to be quite difficult. Many abroad students here simply took easy courses that needed no focus so they could explore and relax to their needs. But even though my anatomy and physiology were more difficult, took more time, and pushed my limits, that’s what I came here for. I came here to explore a new country across the world, but also to continue my study. I have learned so much more this semester and feel confident that I can apply it to my future studies. It’s a great feeling.

Anatomy and functions of the body is not the full extent of my learning though. Some of you will understand the amount of work and preparation I put into my study abroad before departing on the plane to the sunny coast, but so much more came when I arrived. Learning how to live in an apartment for the first time, opening an Australian bank account, shopping for one person meals, and just “adulting” in general but in another country. Another was adjusting to a new home. As many of my friends here agreed, being away from home makes you appreciate it so much more. The simple hug of a dog, mountain sunset, country drives with friends, and smiles of the family together were all on the other side of the globe. But overtime that sadness faded as my friends and I embraced the Australian life while bringing in small pieces from home to share with each other. From trying classic Australian foods, learning how to play footy, and doing a bit of Wyoming swing dancing on the beaches, my appreciation for home and my time in Australia grew together. Now I do think beaches will remain as a vacation location for me, and mountains will always be my home. The mountains will always be calling!

After having the great weight of final exams off of our shoulders, my friends and I have had more time to go to the beaches, go out to lunch or dinner, and just relax in our final weeks on the coast. Later this week I will be attending a friends graduation, hopefully go surfing, head to visit a friend in Noosa and take a stroll through the national park. Between all of that I will finalize apartment and bank details as well as start packing up my room. It’s all going by so quickly. On the 26th of November I will fly with a friend to Sydney for a week, travel around New Zealand for several weeks afterwards, then head home on the 16th of December. So this will be my last blog entry on the Sunshine coast! I am very excited for both Sydney and New Zealand and can’t wait to have stories to tell from those adventures. It’s all wrapping up so nicely and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to spend my time studying abroad. The sunshine coast has treated me well and I can’t wait to share more stories to come.

• Also if anybody has any questions about studying abroad, traveling, or just simple inquiries of Australia you can contact me anytime or ask in the comments below! – Here are some images from the last couple of weeks.