Study Abroad at James Cook University, Australia

This was an especially unique experience for me as I come from a busy city: Singapore. Coming to Townsville was very different for me as the pace of life was slower and more laid-back. However, I fell in love with the wildlife here. My highlights would definitely be having the opportunity to tag a wild eagle ray, going to magnetic island, hiking to see wild koalas, camping at creeks, wildlife spotting on night walks, diving at the Great Barrier Reef and going to Orpheus Island Research Station:)

I decided to study at JCU for a few reasons. Firstly, I love to travel and have always know I wanted to go abroad during my undergrad. When I heard about JCU and the amazing marine science program and opportunities, I was very quick to submit my application. Not only had I heard good things about the school, its opportunities, and its professors, but I had also heard great things about the location as well. I could not have picked a better, and more beautiful place to spend these past few months. The best thing about studying here at JCU has honestly been the fact that I am not much more aware and in tune with what I want to do specifically. I have felt throughout my undergrad that I have been "floating" in a sense, waiting for what I really want to do to fall in my lap and show itself to me and I feel that with the classes I have taken this semester, especially marine conservation biology, I now know what I want to pursue further within my career. Some of the highlights of living here in Townsville, have overall just been exploring the area. It was definitely a little bit of a challenge at first, figuring out where everything was and how to get there without a car but after learning about all of that, I have found some of my favorite places to be like Magnetic Island, and Cape Pallarenda. I would recommend that other student do what they can to make friends while also keeping their minds open about their time here. Some of my favorite moments were spent learning to dive, playing volleyball with my college, and doing small things like doing cool stuff in the town with my friends. Not only all of that, but I would definitely recommend that students go out and rent a car or take a trip somewhere outside of Townsville. I have personally visited Cairns and Bali and loved every minute of those experiences that would not have been possible if I hadn't chosen JCU. This experience has not only taught me a lot about what it is like to be somewhere unfamiliar and learn to adapt, but it has also taught me so much about myself and what I want in the future. I am not afraid to chase my goals and be myself and I find that the most rewarding thing I have gotten from this place. So, if you are considering going abroad right now, I would say just do it. Sometimes it can be scary to put yourself out there but sometimes you have to just be scared and then do it anyways.

JCU Townsville was everything I could have hoped for in a study abroad program. Before I left Wisconsin, the staff at JCU was always quick to respond to my questions and helpful in getting me prepared. Due to their communication and organization, I was able to settle in very smoothly. Having housing accommodation on campus along with a dining hall was very helpful. I highly recommend choosing accommodation with a dining hall if you are not fond of cooking all the time. Aside from the dining hall, staying on campus was a great way for me to easily meet friends. There is also a large variety of classes to choose from, and I took a mix of science, health, and writing classes. My professors were kind in helpful when it came to challenges. Townsville is a great location for those who want to live in the tropics or near the ocean. Overall I loved studying abroad at JCU, Townsville! JCU has a great world-class education with plenty of people from different backgrounds sharing different cultures.

I had so much fun here in Australia! I’ve seen so many places I could never have seen if I didn’t come here. I traveled to Cairns and the Whitsundays as well as all over Townsville. Travel is much more accessible. I even have more trips planned after exams. I also had the opportunity to take classes my school doesn’t offer and I have definitely found my career path! I am studying environmental science and I go to school in a city back at home. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I chose Australia because of the wide range of ecosystems i could have access too. I took marine classes (I 100% recommend Invertebrate Biology) and general science classes that have shown me towards a career path I never would have thought of. I would recommended this to anyone looking to travel and make friends and just have fun.

I had so much fun here in Australia! I’ve seen so many places I could never have seen if I didn’t come here. I traveled to Cairns and the Whitsundays as well as all over Townsville. Travel is much more accessible. I even have more trips planned after exams. I also had the opportunity to take classes my school doesn’t offer and I have definitely found my career path! I am studying environmental science and I go to school in a city back at home. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I chose Australia because of the wide range of ecosystems i could have access too. I took marine classes (I 100% recommend Invertebrate Biology) and general science classes that have shown me towards a career path I never would have thought of. I would recommended this to anyone looking to travel and make friends and just have fun.

I am SO grateful to all the friends and professors that made my study abroad experience at JCU so incredible. I originally chose JCU for their marine biology courses since studying marine biology in a landlocked state is hard. I got incredible first hand experiences with marine life SCUBA diving there, I made new friends from all over the world, and I got to do field research with fun professors who really encouraged hands-on and fun learning! The memories I made while attending JCU like the social events, clubs, community events, hikes, and everything else will stay with me forever.

Studying abroad at JCU was the most wonderful and life-changing experiences, and I am beyond grateful for every moment that I was able to spend studying there. As an Ecology and Evolutionary Biology major, JCU couldn’t be more perfect. The location of Townsville (on the Great Barrier Reef) makes classes such as Coral Reef Ecology possible, and I was able to attend field trips to reefs including those at Orpheus Island and understand the importance of reef preservation on a very first-hand level. James Cook also offers Biodiversity of Tropical Australia, which gave me the opportunity to learn about and see new systems that I might never get the opportunity to otherwise. JCU also provides so many club and internship opportunities- there is definitely something for everyone. The school also does a brilliant job of integrating and including the international students. They had an International day weekly where people would come to share parts of their culture and there was usually coffee and delicious food as well.I was also able to take advantage of the outstanding outdoor and wildlife opportunities in Townsville, as the school is within miles of the beach and several national parks. Its very hard to describe just how amazing the experience was in words, but If you are considering studying abroad at JCU, I say take the leap- I am forever grateful that I did.

Fellow student, do not let all the paperwork and endless forms that you need to fill out scare you away from studying abroad. It is going to be a wonderful opportunity for growth and will let you make friendships across the world that you will stay with you (if you choose to maintain them).

I had an amazing time studying at James Cook University. I met people from all over the world and shared special moments with them all. The professors and staff were great, I'm better for having met them. It took a lot of effort to make it happen but I'd do it 10x over to relive it. I dream about the day I can come back and be reunited with my friends. And maybe this time stay!