Studying Abroad after Health Issues Improved

Isabella Smith Start Date: Dec 31, 2019 - End Date: Apr 28, 2020
  • Australia

My Travel Story

by: Isabella Smith Start Date: Dec 31, 2019 - End Date: Apr 28, 2020
For the last semester of my bachelor degree I am going on an exchange to Australia! I have volunteered for 800 hours since March for a food bank and I volunteered in China this past summer where I taught English to kids. I wanted to go to Australia because I have never been to this part of the world before and it would also be nice to see New Zealand while i'm there. Unfortunately, I was not able to work during my university years due to serious health issues. In my first 2 semesters in university, I could barely get out of bed for over 3 months and I couldn't go to class sometimes. The skin all over my body was inflamed (bright red) and burning at all times, I couldn't sleep, I had no energy, and I thought my body was shutting down on me. I barely passed my courses in the first few semesters and I didn't know if studying abroad would ever be a reality for me. Luckily, as my health improved so did my GPA, and my dream to study abroad has become a reality. Any amount of money would greatly help me as studying abroad in Australia will be a lot more expensive than studying back home. This picture of a mountain was taken when I travelled in Switzerland. It is a reminder that no mountain is too tough to climb and that any obstacle can be overcome. 
  • Australia