Final Blog Reflecting on my Experience in Australia

Well, the time has come and my semester is officially over. I leave tomorrow to meet my family in Melbourne to start our 15 day trip through Australia, in which I am super excited about! On the other hand, I am not excited about leaving all of the amazing people I have met here, and the amazing country of Australia.

Last night, I hosted 17 of all the friends in my group to dinner at my apartment. Space was a little tight, but I managed to make it work by bringing in Andrew's kitchen table and chairs for extra seating. It was a potluck dinner, so everyone brought all different kinds of dishes. We had chips with salsa and guacamole, slider cheeseburgers, latkes, fruit salad, salmon, pasta with ham and spinach, macaroni and cheese, fried rice, kangaroo, garlic bread, asparagus, and so much more. We also had worms in dirt for dessert, along with ice cream sundaes, cookies, and cake. It was all so delicious, and I have realized that some people really know how to cook!

It has been extremely depressing though saying bye to everyone. I had to say bye to Clair, my Australian roommate, yesterday. While most of the friends I have made here I will see again because they live in America, the Australian friends I have made I may not see for a while. This semester, by far, has been some of the best 4 months of my life. Studying abroad was probably the best decision I have ever made. I have learned so much about myself, other cultures, Australia, and being a world traveler. This experience has changed my life, and if I could, I would rewind and do it all again. Some of the adventures I have had here will impact me in the future and remind me how lucky I have been to have the opportunity to study abroad in Australia.

This is probably going to be my very last blog in Australia, which brings tears to my eyes. My mom and I are going to keep track of what we do each day when my family comes to visit, but it will be too much to write in this blog. I hope you all have enjoyed reading my blog and all of the experiences I have had here. I have had an experience of a lifetime and will honestly remember this for the rest of my life. I cannot wait to share everything with everyone now, and to my kids and grandchildren in the future. For everyone back at home, I cannot wait to see all of you, but to everyone in Australia and other places in the states and around the world, it is not goodbye, it is see you soon <3.

"As you go through life, you will realize that all you really are is all of the experiences and thoughts you have ever had and all of the people who have touched your life, no matter how briefly." 

Heaps of Love for the Very Last Time,
Heidi <3