 "Photo: Photo Courtesy of Marcus Linton")
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Beautiful countrysides, koala bears, kangaroos and the Sydney Opera House — that's what people think of when they think about Australia, the land down under.
But N.C. Central University hospitality and tourism sophomore Marcus Linton's summer trek across the equator was more than simple tourism.
"I catered everything I learned, including the culture, around hospitality and tourism," said Linton.
"The biggest thing I gained was my own identity," he said, adding that he learned about Australia's aborigines and its "impressive" sports culture.
Linton said his July trip helped him sort out his next steps in life, which will now include more travel abroad.
While in Australia Linton stayed in Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns and Surfers Paradise, a suburb of Queensland.
Linton said he heard about the travel opportunity when Sports Travel Academy program director, Craig Douglass, spoke in a tourism class taught by Leon Mohan, an assistant professor in hospitality and tourism administration.
"This study abroad program explored Australia's history, culture and government-sponsored sporting infrastructure," said Douglass. "Sport plays a crucial role in Australian society and is a legitimate part of the identity of all Aussies."
Linton said Mohan encouraged him to to get out of Durham.
"Marcus has the willingness and desire to learn, the sense that he needs to learn more than what's going on in this small community," said Mohan. "He needs to learn the big picture."
The journey, which Linton described as "the chance of a lifetime," had a hefty price tag — $7,744. He raised funds with what he describes as "The Letter" — an appeal for support.
He said he got funding support from family, friends, and Chancellor Nelms.
He said Jacqueline Allen in NCCU's office of Institutional Advancement and Evelyn Wright-Corbett, the administrative coordinator in mayor Bill Bell's office, were particularly helpful in his fund-raising efforts.
"A collective group of people breaking down the barrier isolating them to the U.S. — seeing a vast world out there with so many opportunities — was very monumental to me," said Linton, reflecting on his study abroad.
Editor's Note: The article was edited from the print edition due to incorrect factual information.
The trip's cost was $5,350. The tuition factored into the cost was through Miami University of Ohio.
- $1476 (In-State)
- $2394 (Out-of-State)
- $5350 + $2394 = $7,744
Sports Travel Academy is located in Cary.
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