University of Wisconsin–Madison

Australia: Austin King

Program: UW Disability Rights and Access in Australia, Summer

Austin’s Major: Elementary Education and Special Education

Twenty-one individuals indoors, posed in three rows for a group photo.
This is a photo with our whole group at Ferguson Lodge which is a hotel that hires people with disabilities and teaches them work and life skills.

How were your program academics similar or different from taking classes at UW-Madison?

It was a very similar setup to courses at UW Madison. The biggest difference was just all of the excursions that were planned into our day. We usually would have to take public transit or a shuttle to get to our location but the course work itself was very familiar.

What is your most memorable experience from your program?

I think my most memorable moment was going to the We Are Studios. This is an organization ran by people with disabilities and it was so interesting getting to hear their perspectives. Prior to this visit, we had only heard from companies or organizations about policies and not actually from people who have lived the experience. We Are Studios helped so much with that because we got to hear how it really is.

This was the most time I’ve ever spent away from home so it was a new experience for me.

Two students posed next to a bear mascot next to a large banner reading "WELCOME TO THE DISABILITY CONNECTION EXPO".
This was outside of the disability connections expo where we walked around and learned about services and devices for different disabilities.

What is your advice for someone considering your program?

Go in with a friendly and engaging mindset. You get close with the people you are there with, try new things! Also don’t be afraid to do something even if others in the group don’t want to join you, this is an opportunity for you to try something new and have your own experience as well.

What is the moment you are most proud of?

I’m most proud of how comfortable I was in a completely new setting and with how long I was going to be away. This was the most time I’ve ever spent away from home so it was a new experience for me. With that being said, I was very happy with how comfortable and engaged I was and loved every second I was there.