Arcadia Australia

I’ve wanted to come to Australia ever since I was a little kid discovering what a wombat was and declaring from then on that it would be my favorite animal. Many wombat plushies, one handmade wombat hat from my grandma and various other wombat-themed merchandise later, I found myself on the 15 hour plane ride from LAX to Sydney about to spend five months in a place I’d only ever dreamed of. Groggily peeking out the airplane window as we descended, I caught my first glimpse of Sydney’s coastline—stunning beaches and the bluest water I’d ever seen. I was a bit emotional (and sleep deprived), to say the least.

The three months that followed have felt nothing short of a dream come true. I have filled my days traveling around Australia, seeing as many wombats as possible, trying lots of amazing food, making new friends through my program and at my university, and learning so much about Australian culture, immersing myself in the lifestyle first-hand. This blog will explore the different aspects of my life abroad, including my experiences in the Australian workplace and my overall favorite memories I've made so far.

  My Internship Experience

To complete my public health degree, I have had the privilege to participate in an internship alongside my classes here in Sydney. My internship is with a music therapy and occupational therapy business called Harmony Direct Therapy. Music is my favorite hobby outside of class and I’ve always wondered about the intersection between public health and music. This internship has been the perfect opportunity to learn more about potential jobs in the field of public health that align with all of my interests. Additionally, I have gained unique experience working with my advisor at my internship to create a research project involving the effects of group singing and voice use on stress management among allied health professionals.

During my internship with Harmony Direct, I have had the opportunity to engage with a client base primarily composed of Australian-Chinese individuals. This experience has sharpened my research focus and deepened my understanding of the importance of culturally responsive care. I believe that fostering meaningful connections with health professionals from diverse backgrounds is essential to promoting health equity. My goal with my research was to better understand how cultural safety and cross-cultural awareness can be integrated into public health approaches to improve mental health and wellness outcomes.

Over ten weeks, under the guidance of my supervisor, I led a singing group for allied health professionals of Australian-Chinese heritage. Together, we explored a variety of songs in both English and Chinese and even experimented with group songwriting in both languages. To evaluate the program’s impact, I administered a well-being survey and conducted interviews with participants at the end of the program. Many shared that attending the choir each week offered a welcome sense of relief from the stress of their demanding work environments. Singing together—without pressure or judgment—provided not only a creative outlet but also a powerful form of stress relief. Participants also noted that singing alongside peers who shared their cultural background fostered a strong sense of connection and familiarity through the music they created together.

Stepping out of my comfort zone and immersing myself in a new cultural context has been incredibly eye-opening. It’s fascinating to witness how music truly acts as a universal language, capable of bridging cultural and linguistic divides. Through our choir group, we were able to form meaningful connections that often felt deeper than what words alone could express. This experience reaffirmed for me the powerful role music can play—not only as a therapeutic tool but also as a way to build community, create shared understanding, and foster mutual connection.

Maria Island

I knew that the first trip I had to take after arriving in Sydney would be to Maria Island—a stunning national park in Tasmania rumored to be “overrun” by wild wombats. It sounded like a dream come true. Thankfully, I made the sweetest friends through the Arcadia orientation, and they were just as excited as I was to join me on my wombat expedition.

We flew into Hobart, rented a car, and headed straight to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. There, we met Beanie, a baby wombat whose mother had been killed by a car while Beanie was still in her pouch. At Bonorong, she’s being cared for by dedicated wildlife rehabilitation experts until she’s ready to be released back into the wild. Her fur felt surprisingly softer than I imagined and I watched her in awe as we all took turns feeding her a carrot.

The next day, we drove an hour to the Maria Island ferry and took a boat across to the breathtaking island—even spotting dolphin fins in the water along the way. A park ranger let us know that most wombats would be napping during the afternoon, but if we were lucky, we might find a few cuddling in the shade. Sure enough, beneath a cluster of trees, we spotted two wombats peacefully curled up in the shadows. As we explored more of the island, we kept our eyes peeled for every possible wombat sighting. Then, as the sun began to set and we made our way back toward the ferry, it was as if an alarm clock had gone off—suddenly, wombats were everywhere. We even saw a mother and baby grazing quietly together in the golden setting sun. I had to pinch myself. It was one of the most surreal and magical moments I’ve ever experienced.

Wombats are just one example of the incredible wildlife that makes Australia so special. From the unique animals to the warm, open-hearted people I’ve met along the way, my time here has already exceeded anything I could have dreamed of. Every day feels like a new adventure—filled with discovery, connection, and a deep appreciation for this one-of-a-kind place. I feel so lucky to call it home, even if it's just for a little while.