Lara Rudar
Lara Rudar (she/her) - Stanford at The University of Queensland, Australia
Major: International Relations
Minor: Interdisciplinary Arts
College year while abroad: Fall 2024
About the photo: I realized I don't have a solo photo from my time in Australia- nearly every photo is with friends or the incredible landscapes we explored together. I think that pretty much sums my quarter abroad: it was truly defined by friendship. This photo was taken at Hobbiton in New Zealand during a post-program adventure with the friends I made at BOSP Australia.
Contact
Email: lrudar@stanford.edu or click here to schedule an appointment.
Q&As
Why did you choose to study in Australia?
I wanted a unique experience that I wouldn’t get as an ordinary tourist visiting the same BOSP city or country. During BOSP Australia, you get to live in remote research locations alongside professors and travel to places that aren’t accessible to the public or easy to discover on your own. I love nature, and visiting the Great Barrier Reef has always been a childhood dream of mine. I also wanted to become part of a close-knit cohort of 48 incredible people and build lifelong friendships.
How did studying away support your academic growth?
Unlike a traditional Stanford quarter where you take multiple subjects at once, the BOSP program focuses on one 2-4 unit class at a time, with each course tied to a new, geographically unique location. For example, I studied Australian history while living in Sydney, learned coral reef biology right at the Great Barrier Reef, and hiked the Lamington Rainforest while learning about terrestrial ecology and conservation.
Most of the learning happened outdoors through fieldwork, experiments, and team projects. I gained a lot of scientific research skills and a better understanding of how the world was formed and is continuing to form. I also appreciated that the program had a special emphasis on learning science and culture directly from Aboriginal Australians.
What did you learn about yourself during your study away experience, especially through any challenges or major cultural adjustments?
Australia was absolutely incredible, but the packed days from early morning to night meant I didn't have a lot of capacity to work on my personal projects. I learned that it’s sometimes better to just focus on one big thing such as academics and appreciate the value of being present with new friends and fully engaging with my surroundings. Sometimes letting go of “doing it all” leads to a richer, more fulfilling experience.
Briefly describe a typical day and your favorite part of daily life in your program location.
A typical day at Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef- aka Peter Pan’s Neverland is waking up at 6 am for a quick snorkel with the sting rays and sharks, then having breakfast with the cohort. Morning lectures or field briefings usually start at 7:45 am, and then you go out for field work at the coral reefs until a wonderful Aussie lunch back on the island. The afternoon consists of more fieldwork, data entry, and lectures on topics such as coral biology and carbonate budgets. Dinner’s at 6:30 pm, and everyone usually hangs out on the beach and plays volleyball afterwards. Finally, there’s a night briefing by the teaching team and fun activities such as trivia night, movies, or talent shows. After some stargazing (sometimes you can even see the Milky Way!), everyone heads to bed. Genuinely some of the best days of my life.
If applicable, how did participating in an internship, volunteership or experiential-based project help you grow professionally? What specific skills did you gain?
The Independent Research Project allowed me to conduct original scientific research under the mentorship of experts in the field. I gained a lot of technical skills such as field surveying and data analysis.
What was the most essential item you took with you on the program?
My camera- I took so many incredible photos and videos of my friends, Australian nature, and wildlife.
What advice would you give students who are considering studying away?
Pick a program that you believe you’ll form the best memories in and learn the most from. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new- you’ll grow so much because of it.