Life and Study in the National Park

My name is Karen and I come from Japan.  I met my husband in Western Australia 6 years ago.  We got married and we have been living here for about 3 years.

My husband has a tourist business in Karijini National Park, which is 1500 km away from Perth.  There are a lot of beautiful gorges and natural pools there. It is a spiritual environment with spectacular views.

We live in the National Park 7 months a year during the tourist peak season. I love watching the beautiful sunrise and sunset and the star-filled sky at night.  I enjoy listening to the different birds, swimming and walking in gorges. Sometimes however living in this remote place makes me frustrated because I miss the dynamics of the city life, the concerts, the festivals, dining out, catching up with people, but I try to treasure all the unique experiences here. I have a job too in the National Park.  I work as a Yoga instructor and a massage therapist.  

I enrolled in the DL program to study English in 2014.  My English has been improving dramatically with teacher Bernadette.  Studying online is the perfect study style for me because of the flexibility.

I have also been studying the Interior Design Diploma course online for the last 6 months which is very exciting. I have learnt how to make scale models to represent the characteristics of different architectural styles. In the picture you can see me with the Gothic style miniature interior design.

I am so happy that living in a remote place could not stop me from taking up new challenges, learning, improving and working hard towards my future goals.  Now I have finished my AMEP course and I am proud to have achieved Certificate 3.

Congratulations Karen on completing the CSWE course and thank you for sharing your unique experiences.  We wish you all the best for your future.

• What do you like the most about your lifestyle in Australia?  What do you miss?
• If you had to live in a national park, how would you feel and what would you do?     
• What courses would you like to do in the future?
• What are the pros and cons of studying online?

Why not leave a message for Karen or write an answer to one of the questions below!

For information on DL Holiday Programs for WA students click here.

Tina travels solo

DL student Tina on the road

Besides exploring beautiful scenery, meeting new friends, tasting different cooking styles and practising English, there was something else I learnt from travelling alone, that was to be appreciative and be brave.

I always travelled with someone else. Although I came to Australia by myself, I very soon found other Taiwanese travel mates. I couldn't imagine what travelling alone would be like or if I would be able to handle any problems on my own. I thought I always needed the company of other people.

Luckily, after all the money in my pocket ran out, I got a full-time job as a nanny in Alice Springs. So I moved out of the backpacker hostel into a motel which my employer paid for. I got paid well and lived in a nice double room with a big swimming pool in front of my door. My friends were envious of my life. But they didn't know I couldn't share my room and I didn't have any colleagues at work. The only activity was to join drinking parties after work. But none of the people I met could go bush walking with me the next day because their hangovers kept them in bed. I got so bored and felt lonely.

One of my friends left his car behind for me. I got the car fixed then started my own national park trips. The first trip to West MacDonnel Ranges National Park took fifteen minutes. I was too scared to drive myself into the unfamiliar inland desert so I returned to town after passing the national park sign. A week later I tried again and also every Sunday after that. The cliffs change colour all the time, the river that flows through the gorges is a billion years old and the desert animals are so different. They brought me peace and became my best company. This beautiful park taught me to appreciate nature and the resources we have.

The time I spent in Alice Springs helped me feel independent. I proved to myself that I could look after myself and I was ready for new challenges. It was one of the most memorable travel experiences.

Thanks Tina for sharing your wonderful travel experience with us. We admire your adventurous spirit.  Why not write a message for Tina!

• What is the difference between being lonely and being alone?
• How comfortable are you with your own company? Are there benefits to being by yourself?
• Would you travel alone like Tina?  Why / why not?
• What places in Australia have blown you away? What places would you like to visit?