Melissa Aguilar |
Although study abroad programs have become commonplace in American higher education, most American students don’t think of their home universities as foreign study abroad destinations.
But senior theater major Andy Ryan and sophomore elementary education major Brittani Peat took advantage of UP’s connection to Notre Dame’s Australian campuses and chose UP as their home away from home this semester.
Ryan attends the University of Notre Dame’s Fremantle campus, the same school UP students studying abroad in Australia go to. Ryan met UP senior nursing major Tyler Anthony while Anthony was studying abroad in Australia. Anthony talked to Ryan about studying abroad in the U.S. and said the city of Portland would be a good fit for him.
“While I was there [Ryan and his friends] were really generous,” Anthony said. “They showed you everything, took you everywhere. Australian people were just really nice about that. So I almost felt like I owed it to him, to return the favor while he’s here.”
While in Australia, Anthony stayed with an Aboriginal family and saw all kinds of wildlife, including pythons and kangaroos. He visited the Ningaloo Reef and swam with whale fish, the largest known species of fish.
“Everything about it was just amazing. Everywhere you went were just some of the most beautiful you’ve ever seen,” Anthony said. “The people were just the nicest. You were in a completely different mindset.”
Peat studied on the other Australian coast at Notre Dame’s Sydney campus. UP alumna Nicole Schiffer, who is now the study abroad executive officer on the Fremantle campus, interviewed Peat as part of the study abroad application. Schiffer praised UP, which convinced Peat to come to Portland.
The students said the two countries’ approach higher education is very different.
In Australia, most students live with their parents and commute to class every day, Peat said. There is less of a social aspect to higher education.
“Being a university student in Australia is very different.” Ryan said. “Here it’s like ‘going to college.’ It’s a big thing. You get to live with everybody and you can walk to class every day.”
He also joked about how clubs in Australia will have ‘frat night’ themes, featuring the American staple: red cups. His Australian friends were eager to hear about what it was like drinking out of the cups. Ryan admitted the experience was not all that exciting.
Ryan said people here are more genuinely interested in forming friendships than in other places he has been.
Peat agreed, “I like how friendly everyone is, especially at the University, everyone’s welcoming. Here I could say ‘hi’ to someone and they wouldn’t just, like, look at you.They’d start talking to you, which is really cool.”
While at UP, Peat has visited Cannon Beach, Canada and the Washington State Fair. She has also joined Outdoor Pursuits on several hiking trips.
Ryan has taken a break from extracurricular theatre work and is now a DJ for KDUP. He plays a show featuring Australian artists and hopes to do live mixing at Pilots After Dark events in The Cove soon.
Ryan said Americans will often ask him to say certain words or “just talk” to listen to his accent. He is not annoyed when Americans ask stereotypical questions about kangaroos, surfing and baby-eating dingos.
“I love telling people if they’re right or wrong and laughing about it,” Ryan said.
Peat, being from the East side of the country, has experienced some frustration when Americans do not understand her accent. Both her parents emigrated to Australia from the UK when they were younger, so many Americans think she is British when first meeting her. That hasn’t stopped her from enjoying her experience here, however.
“I really love it over here,” Peat said. “I’m already thinking of when I can come back.”
Though Peat began as a media studies major, she decided the field was not for her after working in an advertising company. When she graduates, she would like to teach students in early elementary school.
Ryan would like to continue to pursue music, but he is also looking into working for a theatre production management company.
More paid internships for theatre and more positions are available in the states than in Australia, so Ryan plans on returning to America eight months after graduating from college in Australia.
For students who are considering going abroad, Peat said time goes by fast, so enjoy it.
“Make sure you try and do everything. If someone invites you somewhere, just say yes and go,” Peat said. “Try and get involved as much as possible. Talk to different people.”
Melissa Aguilar is a reporter for The Beacon. You can reach her at aguilarm16@up.edu.
