Submitted by Olivia Chamberlin on the 2025 Winter program in New Zealand…
Me at the top of Mt. Cargill
Going on my first study abroad was very nerve wracking, but so exciting at the same time. After spending a little over a week in the first destination, Dunedin, NZ, I’m able to reflect on how my first few adventures went. My favorite excursion we went on was the wildlife tour. We saw many different bird species native to NZ, sea lions, seals, and rare penguins. Our tour guide told us we were lucky to see the penguins at all, let alone seeing four of them. Something that stuck out to me is that a lot of the people who live here know a lot about their culture and the history behind NZ. It was very interesting to see this because I feel like not many people in the States would be able to tell you a lot of information or the history behind where we came from in so much detail. So far, this program has allowed me to see things I would have never been able to see and I’m so excited for what’s to come! (Submitted on January 15, 2025)
Submitted by Tori Binder on the 2025 Winter program in Sydney, Australia…
Manly Beach
We arrived in Australia last week and have already seen and done so many cool things! We toured the Sydney Opera House, got to do a lot of sight seeing around Manly Beach, and have experienced some amazing dinners and wines together as a class. One thing I’m super excited about, is how many awesome people I’ve met here in only a week, and the amazing friends and bonds I’ve made with other students on the trip. I’m excited to see where these next few weeks take us! (Submitted on January 15, 2025)
Submitted by Ryann Pinter on the 2025 Winter program in Sydney, Australia…
This was feeding time, or “round up”, for the animals. The ranger shook the bucket of food and all the kangaroos, emus, and wallabies came running (or hopping). I’ve only seen kangaroos hop on video, it looked so surreal in person.
When I first saw my itinerary months ago, I knew the wildlife sanctuary visit was what I was most excited about. The thought of seeing kangaroos, koalas, and wallabies in their natural habitat fascinated me. Once we arrived, the experience exceeded all my expectations. Kangaroos were hopping all around us, and we even got to pet them! To my surprise, they were very friendly… as long as you touched only their lower backs. The surprises didn’t end there. I had the chance to hold a python, which turned out to be the second-largest snake in Australia! While holding the snake was thrilling, the highlight of the day came when they introduced us to an 11-month-old wombat. He was so sweet and trusting that he fell asleep in my arms.
We later went on a tour of the bush, where we not only met Arnold the koala but learned about the Aboriginal population that once inhabited the area. The insights into their culture and connection with the land were truly enlightening. My favorite part of the entire day was seeing all the animals happy and roaming freely in their natural environment. At this sanctuary, we were the ones in cages, which was such a refreshing experience. It left me with a deeper appreciation for wildlife and conservation efforts. (Submitted on January 15, 2025)
Submitted by Eden Goldstein on the 2025 Winter program in Florence, Italy…
“You are about to embark upon a life-changing experience. Walk it well, knowing that your life will be enriched through the study of foreign nations and that there are more similarities among the people of the Earth than there are differences. Have fun, be careful, and come home safe.” My grandma had said this to me before I arrived in Florence, Italy, for the University of Delaware’s Winter study abroad program.
My entire life I have dreamed of traveling to witness the beauty of immersing myself in a culture that was unfamiliar to me, and of being able to absorb firsthand the differences that set us apart from one another. Using only my imagination of what it could be like from the stories I have been told growing up by my parents and grandparents of the magnificent world that exists beyond what is familiar to me, I craved an experience that would teach me to thrive within my own uncomfortability. Never did I think my expectations would exceed my imagination the way that it has, in such a short amount of time. Our differences are what makes us unique, and our individuality is what makes us as people so incredibly special both collectively and on our own. Appreciating the characteristics that we each carry is often taken for granted. In just one week in this unforgettable program, this concept of noticing the traits that set us apart from one another, I have found to be in contrast with an overwhelming amount of similarities, as my grandma had said and of course, she is always right.
I have always gravitated towards engaging in my own creativity, and with no surprise ever since I was young, I became connected to not only the art that I can construct but learning about the art that makes up our world history. Guided by my interest and curiosity I have studied the intricacy of the iconic European artists, architecture, compositions, statues, and all of the culturally impacting phenomena that have existed in this region for as long as I can remember. This program has allowed me to come face to face with some of the most important works of art in the world, and what a beautiful thing that is! Within the past week, my class and I have been on guided tours of the Galleria dell’Accademia, Palazzo Vecchio, the Duomo, and both Siena and San Gimignano, Italy. The historical significance of these castles, galleries, cities, and monuments is beyond mesmerizing. The precision and commitment to detail are not just inspiring and beautiful, but impactful and influential.
Along with the many tours and time I have spent here appreciating the art that fills this wonderful country, I have noticed something even more important in the mists. While I had been focusing on the art on the walls, I took a moment to watch everyone around me, as they watched the art on the walls. Each of us standing in the same place, at the same moment in time, all coming together to admire the same thing. None of the differences between us mattered at all, because it was our similarities that brought us all here. The universal language of art is something that connects every one of us, regardless of our age, gender, culture, religion, social class, or anything else that stands in the way of our individual or societal biases. I will forever be grateful for this program for allowing me to be reminded of how necessary it is to come together, set aside our differences, and be present in the moment, whatever that moment may be. (Submitted on January 14, 2025)
My apartment street in the Santa Croce historical district
Submitted by Maggie Tierney on the 2025 Winter program in Buenos Aires, Argentina…
This study abroad experience has been such a warm welcome to world-traveling! This is my first time leaving the United States, and I couldn’t be more comfortable and happy! Within my first couple of weeks here, we have already done so much! From trying different foods, seeing different cities, and experiencing the cultural differences, I have already learned so much. There are many differences here than in the United States, but living with a host family and enjoying the company of my peers, this transition has been seamless! I am so excited and grateful to be able to continue studying here for the next couple of weeks! (Submitted on January 14, 2025)
Submitted by Molly McGuigan on the 2025 Winter program in Italy…
So far throughout my study abroad trip, we have traveled to three different cities in Italy: Siena, Florence, and Pisa. There has been great sight seeing, shopping, and eating. Going into this trip, I didn’t know anyone, but I now have 30 new friends. We all eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner together, and have planned a trip together during our personal travel time. This has been a great experience so far and I am so happy I decided to study abroad! (Submitted on January 14, 2025)
Submitted by Gabriel Fennemore on the 2025 Winter program in Schoelcher, Martinique…
I selected some of the most beautiful pictures I’ve captured so far in Martinique, l’île des fleurs (“the island of flowers,” as it is nicknamed.) But paradise is not just a good climate.
Expecting a bus that had forgotten its schedule, I spoke a long time with the old woman that waited beside me. When she asked what I thought of her country and I called it beautiful, her reaction surprised me: “C’est mon pays, faut parler franchement. Pour moi, ce n’est pas l’île des fleurs. Ça c’est pour les touristes. Mais c’est l’île des poubelles.” (“It’s my country and I must speak honestly. For me, it’s no isle of flowers. That’s what tourists call it. It’s an island of garbage.”)
She referred to all the litter in the roads, the noisy cars, the poverty of the neighborhoods on the other side of the hill. Everything being imported, the cost of life becomes unmanageable. The French government ignores its responsibility toward its territories, maintaining them as vacation spots. “Mais la nourriture n’est pas mal, hein ? Vous aimez le boudin ?” (“But the food’s not too bad, hey? You like boudin?”)
I still find the island beautiful. But the stories of photographs and the stories of people living here are very different. I am reminded I am only a visitor. (Submitted on January 13, 2025)
Submitted by Abigail Bienkowski on the 2025 Winter program in Paris, France…
Within my first week or so here in France, I have seen many museums, architecture, and historic places that I have not been exposed to in America. The city is rich with love, history, and stories, and getting to experience them has been an honor. Every corner you turn is as beautiful as the last, and the city has a surreal feeling to it. To top off the beautiful sights, the culture is nothing short of wonderful. The city of Paris is just as beautiful and welcoming as the people within it. This city has opened my eyes and this experience is truly a blessing. (Submitted on January 13, 2025)
The details within every building in France are mind blowing. The city is packed with buildings rich with skill and history in its making.
Submitted by Alexandra Falcone on the 2025 Winter program in Australia…
After 2 short weeks exploring Australia with my family over Christmas and New Years, it was finally time to start my study abroad journey! Saying goodbye to my family was bittersweet, but it has been so exciting to see all the new sights and meet all of the new people who I will be spending the next few weeks with. This trip is focused on international cuisine and culture and advanced wine and beverage management. We started off the trip with a bang, exploring the town we are staying in, Manly Beach. The group is staying in a hostile for almost 3 weeks which is a short ferry ride away from Sydney before flying to Adelaide, Australia. One of the first days in Manly, a group of us went to watch the sunrise over the gorgeous crystal blue water, before sight seeing in Sydney at the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Along with sightseeing, we have had many amazing multi-course meals with wine pairings and even enjoyed some afternoon tea. There is lots to look forward to on this trip and can’t wait to see and learn even more. This first week has been filled with so many amazing memories with the hopes of making so many more! (Submitted on January 13, 2025)
Both the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge on our Ferry Ride into the city.
Submitted by Margaret Parker on the 2025 Winter program in Dunedin, New Zealand…
Within the first week of my arrival in New Zealand, it has become so clear how loved and respected nature and animals are here. The culture here is to take care of the environment and protect the species that have been affected by humans. During the first few days, my project group for the classroom went to the Settlers Museum in Dunedin. We learned about the whaling industry and how whales were hunted to extinction by the European settlers and the indigenous group on the island, the Maori. We followed up this research with the program’s trip on a wildlife tour. My guide explained how whales are some of the only animals in the world that have migrated back to the region after extinction. It is very rare for animals to disappear after hunting and then choose to come back. That being said, they stay very offshore, away from where the hunting occurred, even generations later. This was referred to as generational trauma by my tour guide. The tour guide then showed us fur seals, sea lions, and penguins. We saw the world’s rarest penguins, the yellow-Eyed Penguins, and she explained the conservation work they are doing. The penguins are ridden with diseases that are passed onto the babies when in the eggs. Once the adult penguins lay eggs, they are taken to a clinic, given medication and fed back to health, then returned to the parents. This increases the survival rate of the babies from almost zero to 100% survival rate. This is just some of the work New Zealand does to protect endangered species.
As for the sea lions, we saw the world’s rarest sea lion too, the New Zealand Sea Lion. These guys are also in danger of extinction. Our tour guide has spent her academic and professional career researching and protecting sea lions. They are often thought to be aggressive, but really they are just the “dogs of the water” and people are more intimidated by their size. If a human stays still and acts boring, the sea lion will not be interested in you. The sea lions are facing danger with gun violence and being shot by people who thought they were under attack. The sea lions are on protected beaches and there is a large movement of education for these animals in order to protect the species. The work that I learned about was truly inspiring and I felt the love and care being shown to the animals. The respect for nature is near and far and it was very remarkable to see such care for the environment. I was very lucky to see such rare animals, and my hope is one day, with the help of people just like I met on the wildlife tour, the animals will not be nearly as rare as they currently are. (Submitted on January 9, 2025)
Through my binoculars, I captured three Yellow-Eyed Penguins, which are the world’s rarest penguins. We had to be silent, as they would run away if they heard too much noise. Their eyes are also very sensitive to light.
