Where I am and what I will be doing
Ladysmith, Canada
September 28th – October 8th My six weeks in Canada were spent at the International School for Earth Studies with the friendly Cushing family, their three house dogs (Zeus, Stika, and Lakona), their three cats (Sebastian, Mushu, and Cheetah), their seven horses (Phantom got to roam free), two rescue fauns (Lady and Jasmine), and their twenty sled dogs (Females – Mindu, Sempi, Sapine, Cyan, Cabella, Snow, Artic, Tundra, and Quincy. Males – Lucky, Timber, Yukon, Trapper, Vocal, Khan, Kovu, Dakota, Jessu, Akai, and Zani). This is the only ‘guided’ part of my gap year. During the six weeks I was in Canada I got to learn about pack dynamics, wilderness survival, and the finer points of scooping lots and lots of poop. At the end of the experience Will, the other student, and I got to volunteer at the International Dog Carting Championships. |
Australia
Sydney, Australia
November 16th – February 15th This is it, no safety nets now, I am completely on my own. I will be in Sydney for three months and will be interning at Macquarie University in their Marine Biology lab. Hopefully I will be taking the weekends to explore the city or connect with family friends. And unfortunately I won’t be coming home for Christmas. |
Palau
Palau
February 15th - April 13th During my two months in Palau I will be volunteering with the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC). It looks like I will be going snorkeling and/or diving most days, which I am so excited for. Dad will be joining me on the last week to do some recreational diving and exploring of the island. |
New Zealand
New Zealand
April 13th – April 22nd This will be a short but eagerly anticipated interlude into my gap year. After joining me in Palau, Dad and I will be traveling to the South Island of New Zealand to do some trekking and exploring. However, we will end up in the North Island in the Shire. Dad thinks we are going to be doing a tour of New Zealand. We are doing a tour of Middle Earth, sorry Dad. |
England
London, England
April 22nd – July 26th Time to go back to Hogwarts. If I don’t come home after this part of my trip, don’t be surprised. I probably ran off into Sherwood Forest, found an old castle, ran off with a mad man in a blue box, or fell back in time. Somehow it doesn’t surprise me that this will be the third Forth of July I will be spending in England (Sorry to all Thomas Jefferson fans – ie. brother dearest). At the moment I am not sure what I will be doing in London but I do know that I will be in the city during the week and will be utilizing the trains on the weekends to explore the history of England. I will also be returning to Jesus College in Cambridge to reminisce about my Oxbridge experience (a truly transformative and amazing experience). Don’t worry, I will keep safe, I swear on Fish Fingers and Custard (Doctor Who reference). |
Ireland
Ireland
July 26th – August 10th No part of this trip is yet finalized expect for the flights. At this point the plan is set-Jenna-lose-in-Ireland. Mom will be joining me for my last week in London and then we go to Ireland together. If it weren’t for her…there’s a good chance I would never make it back to American soil. |