Volunteer Programs in Sydney, Australia

Going to Australia and New Zealand was honestly one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Paragliding was insane definitely the most unforgettable part and getting to see kangaroos and koalas up close felt like something out of a movie. We spent time planting trees, which was actually really cool and made me feel like I was doing something good for the environment. Exploring Sydney, climbing the Harbor Bridge, and going to a rugby game gave me a real feel for the culture. Every day was packed with something new, and I still think about it all the time.

During my internship, I contributed to an international project focused on autism screening and community research priorities. My work involved systematically screening studies, reviewing inclusion/exclusion criteria, and extracting detailed data into shared spreadsheets. I gained experience in critically reading abstracts and full texts, interpreting methodologies, and paying close attention to performance metrics such as sensitivity, specificity, and AUC values. Beyond technical skills, this internship gave me a deeper appreciation for the nuances of autism research — especially the importance of ethical considerations, community involvement, and shifting away from overly medicalized models of disability. I learned how to apply exclusion codes consistently, collaborate with peers across time zones, and manage large datasets precisely. This experience strengthened my research skills and my ability to reflect on the broader impact of scientific work. It challenged me to think critically about equity in autism research, including representation across countries, age ranges, and support needs. I now feel much more confident navigating scientific literature and contributing to conversations around research priorities. Overall, my internship was both practical and meaningful. It reinforced my academic interests in neurobiology and psychology while developing transferable organizational skills, critical analysis, and teamwork skills. I am grateful for the experience and for the opportunity to contribute to research that has real-world impact. Thanks again, and we look forward to keeping in touch!!