My time in Australia and New Zealand has come to an end, and my heart and mind are completely full!
When I set out on this exciting new adventure, I knew it was going to be a truly life changing experience and event, but I had no idea how much personal and professional growth I was able to gain in just a short period of time.
It was a wonderful whirlwind of new adventures, experiences, and working with some incredible people. I am beyond thankful for everyone who made my time in Australia and New Zealand truly epic.
In nearly 30 days, I was able to make the most of my time Down Under and in New Zealand. Here is what I was able to do:
- Visit three universities and give talks to students and faculty
- Present at several industry events, including ones sponsored by Adobe and Travis Schultz Law Firm
- Invited speaker 🎤 for several events and sessions
- Recorded class videos 🎥 for several classes
- Witness a launch of a new social media program
- Reviewed current curriculum of social media classes and brainstormed new classes
- Recorded Podcast interviews 📝
- Consumed TONS of Australian coffee ☕️ 😍
- Presented on relevant research topics (crisis and influencer marketing) to faculty and students
- Brainstorming meetings on research 📊papers and book chapters
- Meetings with colleagues and students 🏫
- Participated in interviews and features 📻
My sabbatical of course is longer than just a month, but the time I was able to spend down in both countries taught me a lot.
Making each day count. One of the myths we see when it comes to living or studying abroad is how much time you need to be considered having an “international experience.” Some say you need a year, others say a few months.
Based on what I have been able to experience, you can really have an immersive experience in a month’s time. I had 30 days to be able to make the most of my international experience, and each day had a specific purpose to it. I didn’t need to be overseas for a year or even more – time is of the essence, and you want to make the most of it.
Each day I was in Australia and New Zealand, I was doing something related to professional and personal development. I had something scheduled each and every day that I was able to work on with my fellow colleagues. It was very productive and I had an idea of what I wanted to accomplish during my time, but when I had a chance to write everything down on paper on what I was able to do, I was amazed. It also explains why I was drinking lots of flat whites while I was down in Australia (which are the best by the way!).
Embracing the “modern day” sabbatical. Sabbaticals are of course a traditional staple for tenure track positions and universities. This is a time where you are able to do things you are not able to do otherwise if you are teaching your regular teaching load. I’ve had several friends go on their sabbaticals and they work on several projects, go back to the workplace to get real world experience, and even write books.
What I have tried to do with my sabbatical is touch on my three areas of focus: Teaching, research, and consulting. I’ve broken up the semester into thirds and made sure I was spending time in each of the areas and made sure I was able to gain experience and work on projects that touch each of these areas.
This is what I tried to do during my time in Australia. I was able to teach a few classes, do a few class videos that will be used in other courses at QUT (teaching), do a few industry talks (professional), and work with researchers on a few papers and book chapters (research). The deliverables I have to give back to UofL for my sabbatical are still the same. There are certain expectations I have to meet and make sure I have addressed with my time off.
Documenting the journey on social media. I did this for a variety of different reasons, and I think all are important to consider. First, I decided I needed to have a hashtag for my sabbatical (this is how I roll with my classes, so why not my sabbatical!). I started using this ahead of my sabbatical on my social media posts.
Then, I started documenting and sharing my journey talking about each day and what were the major themes on each of my social media platforms.
I did this for a few reasons. One, I wanted to make sure I was keeping my friends, family, students, and colleagues updated on what I was doing. Second, I wanted to make sure I was able not just say I was doing things for my sabbatical, but was showing everyone what I was doing. Lastly, as a social media professor – it’s what I do!
Be bold by going on an adventure. One of the things you have to do whenever you are doing a work project is to have balance. This means to explore the community, culture, and landscape of a country. With the time I had down under, I was able to really get a sense of the country through various experiences that were beyond what was happening in the classroom and board room.
This means you got to embrace personal growth and take the time to learn more about the culture and what makes each place unique and special. This is what I tried to do in each of the places and cities I visited during my time in Australia and New Zealand.
The weekends were used to explore and play tourist. This was a practice I did when I was working in South Africa, and it worked out very well! I was able to hold a koala (so cute!), went up a cable car to see the beautiful landscape of Wellington, visit the beautiful beaches at Noosa (where they had truly some amazing coffee!), and take a trip down to Sydney where I climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge (it was AMAZING!)
These were all new adventures and experiences for me. I have never climbed a bridge or gone to some of these new cities. Being able to teach and work abroad is not just all about being inside all day working – but being a student of the culture, community, and environment. Exploring the different cities, histories and cuisine are all part of the learning and growing experience. Make sure to invest in the time and effort to do these activities as well.
Special thanks
This sabbatical and experience would not have happened without the hard work, dedication, and kindness of three amazing friends and colleagues. These three individuals went out of their way to make sure I was welcomed, well stocked with coffee (thank you!!), and was able to gain incredible access to their work and program. I am forever grateful to these amazing friends for making this truly a once in a lifetime experience.
I would like to send a special thanks and shout out to Karen Sutherland (USC), Lisa Tam (QUT), and Dan Laufer (Victoria University of Wellington) for being incredible hosts and friends. These three professors are at the top of their game in the industry! If you are looking for leading scholars and educators in our space, make sure to connect with them online.
- Karen: I am so impressed with you and the work you are doing. Your program and vision for social media is beyond innovative. You have created something truly special at USC and it was a true honor to be able to learn from you this past month. You are setting the stage for your students to be truly successful! Thank you for leading the way for SMprofs and I know you will continue to do amazing things for our field. You are truly one of the best! Thank you!
- Lisa: You are doing such an amazing job at QUT and I was very impressed with the dedication and work you and your colleagues are doing. It was wonderful to learn about what you all are doing with digital and social media research (loved seeing your Salesforce space!) and I know you will continue doing amazing things!
- Dan: Thank you for being an amazing host for my time in Wellington. Your work in crisis communication is very on point and needed in our field – it was great to be able to bounce around ideas on where the field is going, and what still needs to be explored. Keep up the great work in Wellington and thank you again for the invitation to speak to your colleagues and students!
You all made my experience down under truly special and one of the best I have ever had! I am truly impressed with everything you all are doing for your students and the research you are working on.
Hope you all are having a great day!
Best Wishes,
