In Australia,

I visited Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. In Sydney, I enjoyed a tour of the University of New South Wales School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering and a meeting with its director, Dr. Richard Corkish. I desired to visit the University of New South Wales because it is a world renowned institution in the field of solar energy technology, having offered the first specialized degree in that area and having set a number of world records with its technology. My time there was very informative and provided insight into the history and current state of solar energy technology research in Australia. Additionally, in Sydney, I took time to explore the famous architecture, coastline and wildlife of the area, visiting such places as the Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach and Featherdale Wildlife Park.

In Canberra, I visited the Australian National University Solar Energy Research group and met with its director, Dr. Andrew Blakers. Additionally, to learn a little bit about Australian history and culture, I visited the Australian War Memorial, the National Film and Sound Archive, and the Canberra Museum and Gallery. The honorary installations and informative exhibition of the Australian War Memorial were particularly moving.

Finally, in Melbourne, I enjoyed a few days of beach walks and city excursions with travelers from the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and Sweden before packing up my things for the last time in order to fly back home. The evening before I was to leave, the hostel I was staying at hosted an Open Mic Night. Having seen me carrying around my trumpet case, the staff asked if I would be interested in opening up the event with a song. Plugging my iPhone into the speaker system and turning on the rhythm section accompaniment, I hopped up on stage and performed Clifford Brown's composition "Joy Spring", a jazz standard off of the 1955 album Clifford Brown and Max Roach. The many assembled travelers and hostel staff seemed to enjoy the performance very much. I was honored to be given the opportunity to finish off my travels and start off their evening with a performance of one of my favorite pieces.