Jeramie Eginoire and BrieAnn Oxford, study-abroad students from Northwest Missouri State University in the United States, just finished a project here to conserve the last naturally occurring wild population of the Bridled Nailtail Wallaby.

It was “very humbling” according to Jeramie.

Stationed at Taunton National Park in Central Queensland, the couple – who were engaged to be married while in Australia (read on!) – worked in a part of Australia that many Australians don’t even get to see. “BrieAnn and I helped track predators like feral cats and wild pigs. And we built traps to capture wallabies for tagging,” said Jeramie.

Only 400 Bridled Nailtail Wallabies remain in remnant scrubs of the park. They disappeared totally from other areas of Australia in the early 1900s.

The couple, based at Central Queensland University, was among 145 college students studying in Australia and New Zealand through AustraLearn (www.australearn.org), who volunteered for three days to monitor wildlife populations, hike, survey the bush and study coastal waters.

“Knowing that I was watching an animal that just a few years ago was almost extinct was incredible. Walking among families of kangaroos was a memory we’ll carry with us for the rest our lives,” said BrieAnn.

But it’s not the only memory. Jeramie and Brianne were engaged-to-be-married on Queensland’s Fraser Island. “I smuggled the engagement ring over without her knowing,” explained Jeramie, who secretly asked BrieAnn’s parents for permission before they left America for Australia. Jeramie’s mom and sister helped him pick out the ring.

“I was surprised. All my friends told me it was going to happen but I didn’t think he could hide something like that from me,” said BrieAnn.

“Jeramie got down on his knee, in the dark, on the beach. It was so dark I couldn’t see the ring. I can’t even remember what he said,” she added. “Students like Jeramie and BrieAnn always take wonderful experiences of Australia with them. Their’s, however, is probably better than most,” said AustraLearn’s Cynthia Banks, who has worked with American students in Australia for more than 13 years.

“Seeing how another country operates really opened my eyes,” said Jeramie.

Maybe it’s the stars they have their eyes for each other, but both Jeramie and BrieAnn believe the sky is different in Australia than here.

“It glows with stars. It was great to sit outside and look-up. Nothing else really mattered at that point,” recalled BrieAnn.

BrieAnn and Jeramie enrolled at Central Queensland University through Northwest Missouri State University’s partnership with AustraLearn, a non-profit company based in Denver. They’ll return home in July.

AustraLearn was recognized by Conservation Volunteers Australia for supporting the conservation of Australia’s environment and for the difference the students made. Together the volunteers planted more than 1600 trees, removed almost 50,000 square yards of weed, constructed 2.2 miles of nature paths and tracks, and collected more than 40 pounds of seeds.

About 1200 students visit Australia through AustraLearn every year.

For more information about the volunteer projects and studying abroad in Australia and New Zealand, call (800) 980-0033, email studyabroad@australearn.org or visit www.australearn.org.

AustraLearn is a 501c3 non-profit organization located in Denver. Since 1989, AustraLearn has been sending students to study abroad in Australia and New Zealand, enroll in summer programs, undertake custom-designed internships and earn their undergraduate or graduate degree at one of 23 different universities in the two countries.

Above: The newly engaged couple at McKenzie Falls at the Grampians (Mountains) in Victoria, Australia.

Left: In a pub (the Vic) in Rockhampton, Australia.