With a strong passion for new and exciting experiences, Jenna Mckinnie, a sophomore in pre-med studies, chooses to use a study abroad semester in Australia to discover the smallest continent in the world.

Mckinnie explained how it has been a complicated adjustment from the University of Tennessee to the University of the Sunshine Coast. However, her new friendships have made it easier to fit in and have fun even the Aussie way.

Mckinnie assures students that the people in Australia are very nice and helpful, aside from the American jokes about Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and President George W. Bush, she said.

"The accents are wonderful, too. They end everything in -y or -o. I have one friend that uses 'hey' to end every other sentence. It makes me laugh, but they laugh at me when I use ya'll," Mckinnie said.

Most students would imagine that Australia is like being at the beach on vacation because of the beautiful climate and the fact that the local residents speak English, or a variation of English. According to Mckinnie, Australian life is significantly different from life in the states.

One important adjustment for her is the necessity of wearing sunscreen.

"I shadow at Aerodrome Medical Practice, a general practice and surgical skin care clinic. There is so much skin cancer here that I thought that I should take advantage and learn about it," Mckinnie said.

I plan to devote an entire wall in my bedroom to poster sized pictures of Australia   Jenna McKinnie

She is also a volunteer through the Sunshine Coast Volunteer Program, serving as a kitchen hand for a non-profit food preparation organization. While this only allocates around four hours per week, it is hard and fun work.

Because Mckinnie is involved with a variety of activities, she rarely lives a similar day twice.

"When I'm not traveling or at school on Monday or Tuesday, I usually go to the beach to surf or continue my tanning. I like to hang out with my new friends at night," she said.

She shared that she does not have a car and has had to learn how to use public transportation.

"I like trains much better than buses. I caught a pretty comfortable nap from the sunny coast to Brisbane on a weekend trip," Mckinnie said.

She  lives in a house with a friend in the Cotton Tree area, which is only two blocks from the Maroochydore Beach and one block from the mouth of the Maroochy river. She explained how she recently found out that where the river and the ocean meet is one of the top places to kite-surf in Australia.

"I haven't done it yet, but I met an Australian guy that said he would teach me and let me use his gear! What luck!" Mckinnie exclaimed.

Mckinnie has also discovered fresh culinary treats in Australia. She describes how she now feels that Australian food is now her favorite of all the other varieties. Timtams are her favorite snack discovery. They are an Australian wafer cookie with two chocolate wafers, chocolaty fudge in between, and covered in chocolate. That is the Timtams original flavor, but she said there are a variety of flavors, all divine.

"You think that Oreos and milk are good, no. It can't hold a candle to Timtams and milk. I was taught how to eat it properly. You bite one corner off of each end (they are a rectangle) and suck milk through it for about 5-7 seconds (much longer and it will fall apart), then you pop it in your mouth and enjoy!" Mckinnie said.

With several trips planned for the remainder of her semester, Mckinnie will continue to stay busy and explore Australia.  

"I plan to devote an entire wall in my bedroom to poster sized pictures of Australia," Mckinnie said.