Gregory Bukowski

SIT – Rainforest, Reef and Cultural Ecology – Cairns, Australia (fall 2012)

G’day! My name is Greg Bukowski. I am currently a senior at Ramapo. I’m a Chemistry and International Studies double major with a minor in International Business. I spent fall 2012 in Australia studying rainforest, reef, and cultural ecology. Most of my time was spent in Cairns which is in Far North Queensland. My program took me to various rainforests in the area where I saw a multitude of amazing creatures and vegetation. I went on a camping trip for the first time with my group and an Aboriginal elder during which I learned a lot about Australia Aborigine culture and their legends. We even got to paint our own boomerangs and learn how to throw them and spears! I also got to do another first which was snorkeling. Even more amazing wildlife can be seen on the Great Barrier Reef. I literally ran into a cuttlefish, swam with a sea turtle, and chased reef sharks around the coral. The last month of my program was my Independent Study Project for which I was responsible. Never in my life had I been so challenged. Not only did I have to find my project, but I had to find my own housing in Sydney while I was still in Cairns. While in Sydney, I collected samples from the Sydney Harbour and its tributaries and ran water quality tests on the samples. My time abroad was the best experience I have ever had. Not only did I get to see and do so many amazing things, but I learned a lot about myself and gained a tremendous amount of independence and confidence.