Matthew Beringer is a junior on the UGA Men’s Golf Team. He is double majoring in Finance and Accounting and had the opportunity to participate in the “Discover Abroad: Winter Break in Australia.”
Upon returning from the Land Down Under, my mind has been flooded with so many new images and memories. During my time in Australia, I was blessed with the opportunity to expand my intellectual horizons, make new friends, and experience the world in a whole new way. I cannot even begin to properly express my gratitude to the University of Georgia Athletic Department for making this journey possible!
Throughout our Discover Abroad program, I became sharply aware of how limited my perspective was on a number of issues. Given that our program’s focus was sustainability and inter-generational equity, our instructors challenged us to examine our own biases pertaining to economic development and environmental protection. From the streets of Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef, this trip left me with a wealth of experiences that have changed me forever.
As a student-athlete, I feel especially fortunate that the Athletic Department afforded me the opportunity to go to Australia. Given our busy schedules both in-season and during the summer, studying abroad can often seem unrealistic for athletes. However, a program over winter break is a great solution. I am so grateful that the UGA Athletic Department made my journey to Australia a reality!
