Mildura Campus

Sayed Akbar

For me, this trip was a big step. I have never been on my own without my family or friends. I just turned twenty-one years old and I am still living at home with Mom and Dad. I decided it was time to prove to myself that I am going to be ok on my own in life.

Not only was I not able to see my family or friends; I couldn't even talk to them. There were parts were all I wanted to do was run and call my Mom or my best friend but instead just took a deep breath. I can feel myself growing a little more each year but I never thought I would grow so much in three weeks. I have learned so much about life and most importantly myself. I've learned who are and who are not my true friends at home--that good friends are hard to come by. I've learned that I need to stop stressing about guys; they are not worth it. I am too hard on myself and don't give myself enough credit for all that I can do. I need to notice all the good in my life and myself.

We have five days left now; I can't believe three weeks is almost over. I have seen and done things I never thought I would. I have stayed in the deserts of Australia for five nights, slept in a sheering shed and basically froze to death. I went on a seven mile, five and a half hour hike; I learned how to be a photographer--even took some darn good photos to prove it. I even managed to live with twenty strangers in a strange place that I called home for three weeks.

I can truly say now that I'm proud of myself and that I did it. I guess I am going to be alright on my own in life after all. As the Australians always say, "no worries"; words of wisdom that I am going to try and live by. No worries.

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