Distinct The HUA program initiated changes to the program title, itinerary and destinations the fall of 2012. The name of the program was officially changed from Harding University in Australia to Harding University in Australasia, in order to include the program itinerary changes. The new itinerary, created in 2010, included the countries of Cambodia, Vietnam, China and Thailand. The group traveled first to Australia instead of Asia, per usual, to accommodate Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Daniel Atchley, the biology professor on the trip. Atchley began the semester teaching classes for the College of Pharmacy on campus before heading to Australia, postponing the program. "Instead of going to Asia first this time as they usually do, we all flew into Sydney," International Programs Office Manager Kim Atchley said. "We spent a week there before heading off to the north island of New Zealand. We explored the north island for a week and then went to the south island, where we made our home base for about six weeks." While in Australia, the group exchanged the traditional visit to Ayers Rock for three days in the outback, learning customary Australian activities. The group stayed at the Kroombit cattle station, riding horses, herding mustard goats, throwing boomerangs, riding mechanical bulls and learning cultural dances. The students bungee jumped in Australia, an activity that sophomore Ansley Watson said was a terrifying but rewarding experience. HUA Fall '12: Row 1: L. Teague, R. Murray, C. Clanton, S. McGehee, C. Cloer, H. Beck, K. Starks, K. Jowell, J. Callicoat, L. Hayes, V. Snell. Row 2: J. Daggett, B. Gibbs, A. Watson, R. Stafford, T. Stafford, C. Audley, M. Smith, C. Collins, A. Walton, L. Sutherland, L. Ishmael, M. Gammon, C. Briggs, P. Little. Row 3: Z. Venable, M. Harris, T. Crowe, M. Arts, J. Harper. 48 !International Special circumstances lead to a unique semester for HUA "Bungee jumping was awesome, but I think I was the scariest thing I've ever done in my life," Watson said. "It was so freaky, but I'm really glad I did. I think almost everybody went bungee jumping. It was so worth it." After a three-day private cruise around the Great Barrier Reef and a few days in Surfer's Paradise, the group headed to Asia to visit Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Hong Kong. While in Cambodia, the students volunteered with Tiny Toones, a program that taught at-risk youth to channel their energy into the arts, and Snack Pack, a program that provided bread, peanut butter and soymilk for malnourished children. "I enjoyed just seeing these kids that have nothing still have a lot of fun with us," junior Charles Briggs said. "Giving food to these malnourished kids made me realize how truly lucky and fortunate we are." HUA students spent two nights in Hong Kong for the first time in five years. According to Watson, the city was a bustling metropolis, similar to New York City. Both students and faculty thought they gained a more well-rounded experience of the Australasian part of the world because of the adjustments made. "I really feel like the adding on of Asia and the longer period of time in Asia has been extremely successful for Australia," Atchley said. "It remains a very strong program, and we expect it to be in the future, even with the tweaks we do here and there." Angel Paramore Sophomore Laura Hayes plays a hand game with local children in Cambodia. The group had opportunities to serve the Lord in Cambodia by helping at an orphanage, the Snack Pack program and Tiny Toones. Courtesy of Laura Hayes
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