Brandon Bui
Brandon Bui - Stanford at The University of Queensland, Australia
Major: Human Biology
College year while abroad: Junior
About the photo: In Noosa, the location we were at between K'gari (sand island) and Lamington (rainforest), we stayed at a hostel. This photo captures the legendary night of our hostel's DirtyDiscoBingo where me and Akshay spent quality time with Justine, the interim program manager.
Contact
Email Brandon or schedule an appointment
Q&As
Why did you choose to study in Australia?
I was excited to see the beautiful Australian wild and also for the spontaneous nature of the program. Because we travel to a unique spot every couple of weeks, I knew that I'd be able to have an experience in Australia that you couldn't get as a regular tourist.
What were your expectations before you went and how did they change once you were in Australia?
Before I went, I expected to see kangaroos, koalas, and wombats everywhere. I then realized that kangaroos and koalas are only on certain parts of Australia that we did not visit until the later portion of the program. Sadly, wombats are hard to find and I only saw one in a zoo. I also expected the food to be pretty bad because that was what people told me but the food was actually amazing. Especially in the cities.
What were some of the academic benefits from studying abroad in Australia?
You get to do actual field work on what you learn in lecture, such as exploring the rainforest, snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, and sailing around Moreton Bay studying coastal ecosystems. Because the program was so hands-on, it was super fun and learning rarely ever felt like actual work. It was also a good experience to live with the professors and TAs because we all got very close to them.
What did you learn about yourself while studying abroad?
I learned that I love eating big portions and that when sometimes the circumstances limit me from getting the food/amount of food that I want, I have to be positive. I also learned that when you meet people, it is important to be kind because the people you meet might become your closest friends that you have for a long time.
What was the most challenging experience you encountered while abroad and what did you learn from it?
I went to the ER in Brisbane to get stitches for my lip because I ran into my friend playing football. Fortunately, my good friend Wonk went with me to the ER. I learned that getting health insurance is very important and that the Australian healthcare system is really good.
What was the biggest cultural adjustment you had to make?
People in Australia walk and drive on the wrong side of the road (the left side) and I kept almost walking into people.
What was your favorite part of everyday life?
How every day was unique. Whether or not we had a planned schedule or not, every day was a new adventure of exploring, learning, eating, and spending time with friends. Looking back, the Australia program felt so long because no two days were the same and I really appreciated the fun in that.
What was the most memorable experience you had while in Australia?
One night, I was on the beach of Heron Island, an island in the Great Barrier Reef with my friends. There is no light pollution on this island and that night, the sky was so clear that you could see all the stars in the sky and even the cloudiness of the Milky Way itself. It was beautiful, unlike anything I'd ever seen. Underneath our feet we stepped on this algae that washed up on shore and to our surprise, it glowed bright blue! Between that beautiful nature and having a rich, meaty conversation with friends, that night was unforgettable.
What 5 words would you use to describe the experience?
Vivid, enriching, fulfilling, thrilling, satiating.
What was your favorite food or music?
Despite what others say, the food was one of the best parts of the program. Maggie (the cook on Heron Island) made delicious food and it felt like home cooked grandma meals every day. In the cities, there was amazing Thai food, Hotpot, meat pies, yo-chi frozen yogurt, Irish pubs, etc.
What was the most valuable item you took on the program?
My Mac.