Studying abroad in Melbourne, Australia was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my university career. For five months last fall, I lived on the other side of the world exploring the entire east coast of Australia.  I took some time to take a month long road trip across the entirety of New Zealand. I jumped out of planes and dove the depths of the Great Barrier Reef and came back to the States a more adventurous and confident version of myself. Living so far from friends and family and essentially starting over really brings out an independent part of yourself that you never knew you had. Through sunburns, road trips, night markets, and new friends, I truly left my heart down under!