Submitted by Cassidy Pieper on the 2020 winter session program in Australia and Thailand sponsored by the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics…
During the final week of this amazing experience, we were able to explore Sydney on our own with more downtime to ourselves. During our free weekend, we explored the Blue Mountains. We were very lucky to be able to travel through the bush and learn about the fires and how they impacted the entire country and surrounding areas. On Australia Day, we celebrated at a dinner with most of our group. This past month, getting to know other students at UD, has been one of my favorite parts about the program. I have formed friendships that will last a lifetime.
We ended the program with three company visits. My favorite was hearing from the executives of Cochlear. We were also able to tour their innovation rooms and experience first hand all of the fine details that go into making their implants. On our final evening together, our entire group, including our professors and program directors shared a meal at a restaurant with a view of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Opera House. As we wrapped up our program, I was able to reflect about how much I learned about different cultures, myself, and how businesses run internationally. These will all help me as I continue my education and the skills I have learned will follow me through my career.
