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Cameron Thomas

About My Study Abroad Program

Major/Minor: B.A. Psychology; Cognitive Science & Conflict Management 
Program: UNC Neuropharmacology in Australia
Location: Sydney, Australia
Email: camt@unc.edu
Term: Summer 2024

 

Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
I wanted to study abroad because I believed it would provide experiences that I would be hard pressed to find outside of a university travel program, and I was not disappointed. The structure and opportunities that are innate in these programs made for an irreplaceable experience I’m so glad I had the chance to be a part of. I chose Sydney, Australia for a similar strive for otherwise inaccessible experiences, because I would likely not have another opportunity to travel so far for an extended period for a long time. 

 

What did you learn about yourself?
The biggest thing that stands out to me about what I learned from this trip was how much I learned about diversity in culture. I was immersed in an environment that looks on the surface to be very similar to the American surroundings I am used to, but i found myself in a culture that had values, norms, and customs that were entirely different from the initial estimate of the place. This program has solidified my innate craving to have new experiences, and how much I have been able to gain from living outside (and slowly expanding) my comfort zone. I am so grateful for this experience because of the depth of cultural awareness and understanding I've gained, as well as character growth and sensitivity to diverse cultural contexts!

 

What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
One of my favorite experiences I had the opportunity to pursue was a trip to the Great Barrier Reef. A group of us from our program took a weekend trip to Cairns, where we booked a day trip to snorkel in the reef. We spent the day on a Catamaran through the reef, and we all saw a plethora of sea creatures! We had such a fun filled day with the tour guides and the other people on the tour; it was a day trip that included many unique experiences and people, as well as an amazing chance to bond with the friends I made throughout the rest of the program! 

 

What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
Reach out to the other people in your program! Almost all of the conflicts/concerns we had about being abroad were shared once we started talking about them. The program also sets you up with a whole system of support personnel depending on the nature of the uncertainty, and I always felt like I could reach out to someone if I needed to. 

 

How do you identify?
LGBTQ+, Scholarship Recipient, Transfer Student

Memories