Concordia Nebraska students explore Australia

Concordia University, Nebraska students, faculty, staff and alumni recently visited Australia to learn more about the country’s biology, agriculture and geography. The tour was co-led by Dr. Kimberly Clark, Concordia Nebraska associate professor of agricultural sciences and Dr. Joel Helmer, chair of Concordia Nebraska’s department of history, geography, intercultural studies and modern languages. 

The tour took students around the country to cities including Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns as well as sites such as the Sydney Opera House, Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Students were able to grow their knowledge and connections while exploring the country. 

“One of the most rewarding parts of education is giving students the chance to learn beyond the classroom, especially in another country. Study tours are truly transformative experiences,” said Clark. “They help students build knowledge and professional connections while also immersing themselves in new cultures, histories and ways of life.”  

The tour began in Sydney. Students explored the city and learned about native plant species. They also provided mission work at Pocket City Farms, an inner-city farm that focuses on growing vegetables in a sustainable, regenerative manner that includes cover crops. The group planted a bed of cover crops, harvested radishes and removed weeds. The students also created succulent terrariums.  

“One of the most rewarding parts of education is giving students the chance to learn beyond the classroom, especially in another country. Study tours are truly transformative experiences. They help students build knowledge and professional connections while also immersing themselves in new cultures, histories and ways of life.”

The group also had the chance to see the Blue Mountains and the Three Sisters Rock Formation as well as Featherdale Wildlife Park, where they were able to interact with native Australian animals like wallabies, kangaroos and koalas.  

The second city they visited was Brisbane. The group visited the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary where they saw dingos, Australia’s wild dog, and had the chance to feed lorikeets. Lorikeets are colorful parrots native to Australia. While in Brisbane the students also toured a ginger factory where they were able to learn about how ginger is processed into a spice and used as an ingredient in many foods. The students learned about pest control on Australia’s ranches called stations on the east coast during their visit to Highland Hideaway. 

After completing their time in Brisbane, the group flew further north to Cairns, where they spent a day snorkeling at the Saxon and Hastings Reefs within the Great Barrier Reef. Their next stop was at Daintree Rainforest, where a crocodile cruise on the Brisbane River brought the group up close with freshwater crocodiles. 

The group also enjoyed a day at Noosa Beach where students took surf lessons, rented surf boards, went fishing or shopping or hiked along the coast. 

“By the end of the trip, students had gained far more than they expected,” said Clark. “They are returning home with new perspectives, a deeper appreciation for another culture, and personal growth that will stay with them for the rest of their life.” 

Participants in the trip included: 

Josephine Hansen, Mahomet, Illinois 

Kelsey Heinemann, Upland, California 

Shandy Faalii, Lincoln, Nebraska 

Hannah Dean, Lincoln, Nebraska 

Molli Martin, Lincoln, Nebraska 

Kaylee Powell, Central City, Nebraska 

Nathaniel Bull, Seward, Nebraska 

Emily Reimers, Timnath, Colorado 

Isaiah Hoehner, St. Charles, Missouri 

Keller Wilson, Cedar Falls, Iowa 

Elaina Hanson, Valdez, Alaska 

Sydney Rohwer, Kearney, Nebraska 

Cameran Schafer, Orange, California 

Taryn Ganstrom, Seneca, Kansas 

Lexi Carlen, Staunton, Illinois 

Hannah Helmer, alumna 

Gary Schuschke, alumnus 

Holly Helmer, staff member 

Sonja Brandt, faculty 

Joel Helmer, co-leader 

Kimberly Clark, group leader 

Study tours are unique academic experiences that take place far from campus but offer students the chance to bring new learning back into their undergraduate studies. Concordia Nebraska offers several tours annually that are sponsored and led by members of many different academic programs. Learn more about global opportunities here.