Tatiana Frontera’s Semester in Australia

September 6, 2023 rbhall

Study Abroad Program:

Semester Abroad at The University of Western Australia in Perth, Western Australia (Spring 2023)

Major:

Environmental Sciences | Minor: Biological Sciences

Large tan brick building with an orange roof. Grassy area is in the foreground - Tatiana Frontera’s Semester in Australia - Forestry and Environmental Resources at NC State University — Outside Winthrop Hall on the University of Western Australia’s campus

Why did you choose to study abroad?

I always knew I wanted to study abroad since I was young. My family is very big on traveling and my sister got the experience of completing her entire undergraduate degree abroad. I decided to choose Australia since I learned lots about the country in elementary school and have been fascinated since. I learned a lot about the aboriginal history, unique wildlife, art, music and culture when I was younger and have always wanted to visit. When I saw that I could study abroad at the University of Western Australia I thought it was the perfect choice for my study abroad journey. Southwest Australia is a biodiversity hotspot with high species richness and endemic species. This was the perfect opportunity for me to learn more about conservation biology along with being near the beach, immersing myself into a new culture, and learning about the past, present, and future of Australia.

Small kangaroo sitting in tall grass and shrubbery - Tatiana Frontera’s Semester in Australia - Forestry and Environmental Resources at NC State University — Kangaroo spotted at Lake Monjingup Nature Reserve in Esperance, Western Australia.

What were some of your favorite experiences during your trip?

One thing I enjoyed was the traveling I got to do around Western Australia! I was able to visit several national parks and different popular towns. Some of my favorites were seeing Lucky Bay in Cape LeGrand National Park in Esperance and snorkeling in Coral Bay and Turquoise Bay in Exmouth. I also really enjoyed solo trips to the beach after class or exploring the city with friends on the weekends.

Another thing I enjoyed was all the different flora and fauna I got to see. There were so many different types of plants and ecosystems. I grew up hearing about Australia, and it was cool finally getting to see it all in person. I also love learning and seeing all the different species of birds around Perth. Waking up to the Kookaburra’s laugh was also a plus!

Tatiana standing on a white sand beach with mountains in the background - Tatiana Frontera’s Semester in Australia - Forestry and Environmental Resources at NC State University — Voted the best beach in the world, Lucky Bay in Cape LeGrand National Park in Esperance, Western Australia.

Tatiana and her friend snorkeling in blue water - Tatiana Frontera’s Semester in Australia - Forestry and Environmental Resources at NC State University — Tatiana and her friend snorkeling in the Ningaloo Reef at Coral Bay

How did your study abroad experience prepare you for your future career?

Studying abroad at the University of Western Australia has significantly prepared me for a future career in environmental sciences. The university provided vigorous courses that indulged me into the practices of conservation biology, tactics of science writing, GIS programs, and changing climate patterns. I felt comfortable in class asking questions on topics I was unfamiliar with or wanted to learn more details about. The professors also discussed different career fields available, especially within conservation biology, science writing, and GIS. My experience at University of Western Australia taught me useful skills and knowledge in environmental sciences that I can apply in my future career in the US or even abroad.

Bird sitting on a medium sized branch. Orange building can be seen in the background - Tatiana Frontera’s Semester in Australia - Forestry and Environmental Resources at NC State University — Kookaburra spotted while walking on campus.

What did you learn about yourself through this trip?

During my time abroad, I learned more about how to handle my social fears. As someone who struggles with social anxiety, meeting new people or going to events can already be a scary task. However, I decided to study abroad in a far away country and went through the experience alone. I really wanted to immerse myself into life here and make completely new friends on my own. I really learned how to push myself to start conversations and make strong friendships. Going out of my comfort zone really allowed me to grow and will be useful for when I graduate university soon and will be creating new friendships and acquaintances for the rest of my life.

Tatiana and her Aussie friend, Georgia, standing on a beach the ocean and glowing sunset in the background- Tatiana Frontera’s Semester in Australia - Forestry and Environmental Resources at NC State University — Tatiana and her Aussie friend, Georgia, enjoying the sunset in Bunbury, Western Australia.

Were you surprised by anything during your time abroad?

I was very surprised how everything closes early here. When something is open “late night” it usually means until 10pm. Also, it also got colder than I expected. I did my research on the weather, but I guess I still hoped my region of Australia would be warm when it is literally their winter!

Is there any advice you have for students interested in studying abroad?

Apply! Even if you are not sure if you want to study abroad yet, applying never hurts. Being away from home can be scary, but in the end, 99% of the time I would say it’s worth it. You will meet lots of cool people, learn more about a different culture, and get to see beautiful sights in the country you visit!