Environmental Studies in Australia
Spring Semester 2002
Our studies took us from the southern rocky shore ecosystem, to four types of rainforest, to the savannah, and finally to the Great Barrier Reef.
Environmental Studies in Australia Spring Semester 2002
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| Studying in Australia for four months in the spring
of 2002 has been the highlight of my time with St. Olaf. The land I
saw, things I learned and friends I made are all priceless. In Australia
I found an environmentally fragile country that was forced into awareness
of its affect on the environment. The contrasts between Americans
and Australians grew apparent immediately as the population as a whole
appeared more in the know of their predicament than people in the US.
I feel that my experience in Australia forced me to look at America and
its shortcomings. Australia is no utopia, but reliance on tourism
and awareness of the fragility of their ecosystems has created a heightened
sense of urgency in preservation. Interaction with the Aboriginal
people provided another perspective on the situation. Their connection
with the land through art and spirituality was fascinating. The country
was beautiful and the people were in love with the outdoors. Our studies took us from the southern rocky shore ecosystem, to four types of rainforest, to the savannah, and finally to the Great Barrier Reef. |