My name is Max Mekker and I am a fourth-year accounting and entrepreneurship student. During the Fall 2022 semester, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Australia at Bond University. Located on the Gold Coast, Bond University is a 5-minute drive to some of the best beaches in the world (something I definitely made the most of). During my four months abroad, I had the time of my life and experienced significant self-improvement. I was fortunate to visit numerous attractions throughout Australia – such as the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney, and the Outback. I also visited Bali (Indonesia) and spent two weeks traveling through New Zealand. The things I saw and experienced while on the opposite side of the world gave me a renewed perspective of what is important in life. Below, I have reflected on three perspectives I’ve become more grounded in because of my study abroad journey.
Be in the present.
From seeing some of the most beautiful mountains in New Zealand to ripping four-wheelers through forests in Bali, I learned that being in the present moment is everything. Not thinking about the past and not worrying about the future allows you to take in what’s going on in the present fully.
There is always something to be thankful for and appreciative of. I realized how beautiful everything around me was when I started using this approach. It led me to appreciate the littlest of things and build a sense of gratitude.
Gratitude.
Sometimes, we get so caught up in the fast-paced life that we forget how fortunate we are. There is always something to be thankful for and appreciative of. Seeing some of the happiest people ever living in Bali with MUCH less than what I have was very humbling. Seeing some of the most beautiful natural scenery throughout the many national parks I visited showed me how much is out there in this world. It puts into perspective how the stuff I find myself worrying about day-to-day is really not that important. It’s easier to remain happy when you focus on what you have, not what you wish you had.
Photos courtesy of Max Mekker – Left to right: Four-wheeling through a national forest in Bali; Nusa Penida Island; Kangaroo
Giving credit to myself.
Travel enhances confidence, independence, and freedom. Traveling has shown me that I can navigate a foreign country, make new friends, and deal with challenging situations. I found out how much I know/don’t know about the world. I was able to observe how I reacted in entirely new situations. When you realize how powerful you are, traveling becomes a transformative experience.
I always love to share my experiences and help guide RIT students through the study abroad process. Please reach out to me if you want to talk about opportunities – especially in the land down under!
Max Mekker, currently an MBA graduate student in the Saunders College of Business, studied abroad as an undergrad at Bond University in Australia through RIT study abroad partner Arcadia.
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