Author: Taylor Foster | Major Pre-Professional Animal Science | Semester: Summer 2025
Feeding kangaroos at the Australia Zoo!
Hi, my name is Taylor Foster, and I am an Animal Science major on the pre-vet track through the Dale Bumpers College at the University of Arkansas. In the May intercession of 2025, I had the honor of studying abroad in New Zealand and Australia for a combined two weeks. I first heard about the opportunities for studying abroad as an Animal Science major at my freshman orientation, and my interest grew as my perspectives class taught more about opportunities. I chose this specific program because it included my major while also being in an area of the world that I wanted to travel to. While my knowledge of New Zealand was limited, I knew Australia would be amazing.
During the trip, I was able to see a whole new perspective on everyday life. New Zealand as a whole places a huge focus on protecting the environment through everything they do. The cities limit plastic use, the farms limit environmental impact, and the towns are built to preserve the landscape. Throughout the trip, my mindset was broadened with ways to protect this world we call home. I learned a lot from farmers that have had to stay competitive in a commercialized world, as well as from facilities that are studying the most ethical and efficient way to farm. Everyone we encountered had incredible passion for their career and their country.
Part of our itinerary was a trip to Doubtful Sound, where we were told we had the best weather of the year. Standing on the boat under mountains filled with waterfalls is an experience that left me speechless in awe. At one point, they shut off the boat so we could hear the “sound of silence,” and I will never forget the peace I felt in that moment. Standing there, I felt so small that all the stress on my shoulders melted in insignificance. My mind was stilled, and I could truly appreciate the moment I was standing in.
Two days later, a few of my classmates and I embarked on a ten-mile hike to the top of a mountain in Queenstown. Pushing myself to make it to the top was hard, but the views could not have been more worth it. Looking down on the clouds, the lake, and the town from the summit was a complete change from Doubtful Sound a few days before. Instead of feeling tiny, I felt like I was on top of the world. Seeing the trail we had taken was like looking back on the striving it takes to reach an accomplishment. I could see how every step I had taken led to me standing where I was. Every part of pushing myself to keep walking was suddenly worth it.
Our trip did not include a lot of time sitting in class or listening to lectures but was very experience-based. The majority of what I learned on the trip was not from sitting in a class, but from engaging in my experiences. I believe that this will carry with me through the rest of college, as I learn to dive into experiences so I may learn more. I could have gone on this trip and just seen a lot of cool things, but through immersing myself in where I was, I was able to take so much more from my experiences.