Why did you decide to volunteer abroad in Australia?
I had always wanted to travel to Australia because I love the animals that are native to the continent. When the ISV representatives came to our school to talk about the program, I knew this would be a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I seized it and I'm glad I did!
Why did you choose ISV’s Protect Penguins Project over other programs working with animals?
Animals have been a huge part of my life. I have been watching the Discovery Channel since I was very young, and have had dreams of becoming a veterinarian or a wildlife conservationist. The program with ISV was my chance to live the life I had always dreamed, if only for a month.
What made Australia a great place to live abroad?
Australia has a lot to offer. If you like animals, the country is packed full of interesting species. If sports are your thing, you can learn to surf, go hiking, or take bike rides, and you won't find better people to party with – Australia has anything really! Cairns is the place for you if you're a thrill seeker since it's the adrenaline capital of Australia. There is so much to do that a month is hardly enough time which is why I can't wait to go back to Australia.
What is something special about the Protect Penguins Project?
Until embarking on my adventure Down Under, I hadn't realized that there were penguins in Australia. I didn't know what to expect until I got to meet the animals. I was also able to work side-by-side a penguin conservationists which is an experience not many people get to have. There are so few of these adorable creatures left in our world that I may be one of the few people who will be able to get that close to them – unless the conservationists reverse the population damage that is.
How did the staff in Australia help you throughout your program?
There were times when I felt really homesick and I had trouble getting along with some of the other volunteers. My volunteer leader made sure things got better for me and kept my spirits up. It helped that I had so many things to do that it was difficult to focus on any negative situations. We also had an abundance of information which was extremely helpful. Goose, our tour guide, was a wealth of knowledge and always joking. He made our adventure 100 times better than it would have been otherwise.
If you could start over, what's one thing you would have done differently?
I wish I had raised enough money to participate in the optional activities. Coming from a low-income family made it difficult to raise the money to go on the actual trip, let alone have extra money to spend on other activities. I would have loved to participate in some of the additional activities ISV arranges such as the ocean rafting, skydiving (though that sounds a bit scary), rock climbing, etc.
What did a typical day volunteering in Australia with ISV include?
Volunteer days started early. It was "winter" in Australia during our time there so the mornings were pretty nippy. Everyone would wake up, wash up, dress in their work clothes (mine consisted of muddy sweats and hiking boots) and get some breakfast. We would have to prep our lunches as well, because we didn't get to go back to the volunteer house for food. After we were ready, we would all pile into the van and head to our location for the day. We worked at many different places, but my favorite was the penguin parade. We got to cut down invasive species that were dangerous to the ecosystem, and plant native species in their place. While we worked, we could occasionally get a peek at the penguins in their nests. It was worth all the hard work.
The Americans in our group (I was the only Canadian, so everyone else basically) were not used to having breaks during their work day, so morning tea time was a wonderful thing for them. It gave us all time to get a drink and a quick snack before heading back to work. Once we finished for the day, we often stuck around the area to better experience it. We took pictures of the ocean, of the group, or of the penguins. Once back at the volunteer house and cleaned up, the designated dinner crew for the day would get to work prepping enough food for the 12 of us. The rest of us would nap, watch television, or get on the Internet. I was working on a daily blog, so that kept me busy until dinner most days. Once night came around, people slowly trickled to bed so we could be ready to rinse and repeat. We were all tired every night.
What was your favorite adventure activity during the program?
The most memorable activity was swimming on the Great Barrier Reef. I had signed up to go scuba diving, which would have been an excellent experience, but I got super sea-sick unfortunately. I had never been on a boat on the ocean before and it was a windy day. I got off at the first possible point. Regardless, my snorkeling was worthwhile because I got to see a sea turtle with only three fins! Nobody else was around to see it, so it was a truly precious moment.
What were your accommodations like?
The accommodation was wonderful! There were two dorm houses with at least four rooms in each, and several bunk beds in each room. Between the two dorm buildings was the "mess hall" as I like to call it. This building had the kitchen, the living room, and the dining area. Everything was quite new and well kept. Connecting all the buildings together was a huge deck. Sometimes I would lay out on that deck and look up at the strange stars I had never seen before; it was truly wonderful. The best part was that we could hear the penguins from our volunteer accommodations. They would chirp and growl all night long until they finally settled in for sleep. It was our lullaby for the two weeks we spent there.
What impact has your experience abroad with ISV made on your life?
At least four years after the fact, I have once again left Canada to pursue a life abroad. I am teaching English in China, and hope to make it back to Australia within the year. I think about my adventure frequently and wish I could have spent more time there. Travel has become my passion because of ISV.
