Eastern Illinois U. communication studies majors and professors from the department will embark on an adventure filled with koalas, crocodiles, and snakes.

They will travel to Australia and New Zealand for a month this June and will be staying in hotels throughout the two countries.

Claire Dau, a junior communication studies major, said this opportunity could not have been handed to her at a better time because of her busy schedule during the school year.

“I really enjoy traveling and I’ve always wanted to study abroad,” she said.

Dau said this is a perfect time to take this trip because she has more time in the summer.

Excited to visit a number of places in New Zealand and Australia, Dau said she wants to see major cities, museums and hike on glaciers.

“I would love to see kangaroos and koalas and dingoes,” she said. “It’d also be fun to see some crocodiles or snakes…but only in a controlled environment.”

Nathan Schwalm, a senior communications studies major, said he has never studied abroad.

Schwalm said he is excited because the trip seems like an adventure.

“To me overall, this is like an adventure of a lifetime. It’s the time in my life to take advantage of this opportunity,” he said.

Schwalm also said he does not feel nervous jumping into a different culture because he is open to learn about new places and people.

“It’s like anthropology: we’re very influential to their cultures, but both are also dominated by a number of (other) nationalities,” he said.

Along with traveling, the students will be taking classes.

Sara Boro, a senior communication studies major, said she has studied abroad a number of times.

Boro said her class schedule usually consists of six credit hours, three for Intercultural Communication and three for an independent study.

“I am trying to keep my mind open and try as many things as I can while I am there,” she said.