I am currently in my final months of my undergraduate degree hoping to pursue graduate school in 2027. I am sending in and working on my applications now, but I should hopefully know about admission by spring of 2027. After my experience in Australia, I have become very interested in conducting research in the Pacific, and I hope to return to Australia someday to continue doing work and/or research there as well.

During my internship I learned to be adaptable and to ask questions. Beyond this, living in a foreign country about as far away as one can be from home teaches you a type of independence that is hard to even find in college. I think this especially has helped me a lot since being back.

Having had the opportunity to work and live outside of the U.S. makes me stand out, at least in my mind, in terms of job and graduate school applications. Being able to do the work that I did while in Australia for someone of my age was really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I think. I am very grateful for the opportunities that I had, and I really think they have positively altered my future.

For those considering interning or working abroad I would highly recommend it. Through Connect-123 or later in life through another way, you won’t regret it and you will make amazing memories and friendship.