Peter Spencer knew he had a lot to do before he flew out of the country to begin his study exchange in the United States, but his life became even more hectic than expected...

Christmas had come and gone, New Year's Eve was the next day and Peter was busy finalising his last university assignment at CQUniversity's Rockhampton campus. With his flight booked for January 3, his family was busy planning a ‘goodbye barbecue'. Then he answered a phone call that would send his world into turmoil.

Peter Spencer (centre) with other exchange students from various parts of the globe at the Centrum Basketball Stadium in Cedar City Utah. "I was at uni completing an assignment when I received a call to inform me that the airport was going to close on Saturday, January 1 due to flood waters inundating the airstrip. It was then 5pm and all flights were fully booked for the following day. The airline eventually secured me the last seat available on the 8.15pm flight that day. By this stage, I only had an hour-and-a-half to get home, pack and get baggage checked in at the airport.

"I remember calling Shae, my wife, to tell her and she threw some clothes into a bag. I was lucky I had already put all of my travel documents and study items in a backpack. I got home, checked everything, put my son in the car and went to the airport. I said my goodbyes for the next two-and-a-half months to my wife and son through the glass at the departure lounge."

Peter was lucky enough to board the last plane out of Rockhampton before the airport was flooded in and closed for three weeks. He later arrived at Southern Utah University at Cedar City, where he will continue his Bachelor of Learning Management degree to become a manual and graphic arts teacher. Peter's five-month overseas study experience has been made possible due to an established exchange partnership with Southern Utah University through CQUniversity's Study Abroad & Exchange program.

Although a ‘junior' in the US tertiary education system, the 45-year-old husband and father is unlike most study abroad students. Although the social and cultural experience were important factors in his decision to study overseas, Peter wanted to explore another country's education system, and what better way to do that than first hand. "I saw this as an opportunity to explore the secondary education system in the US, particularly how they integrate technologies into classrooms for middle and senior years. Southern Utah University also offered me the opportunity to focus my studies in AutoCAD (design software for architects and structural designers), an area I was to teach in Australia. I believe there are lots of advantages in studying at more than one university, particularly if it is a foreign university. It will no doubt add to the resume."

While Peter has begun this overseas adventure on his own, in March he will be joined by his wife and four-year-old son. "We thought it best to start our son in his Prep year of education for at least a month before coming to the US. His prep teacher is going to supply materials for him to complete during his stay here. I am very excited that they are able to come over as I am already missing them very much."

Peter said although his family's home was not affected by the recent flood waters, he was concerned for his family left behind in Rockhampton. "My wife and son, like most residents, filled the bath and other water containers and relied on supplies already in the house as store shelves ran out of product, particularly the daily staples".

Cut-off roads caused his family some grief. "My wife and one of our daughters (Kaye), her fiancée (Luke) and our grandson, stayed at our home for a few days as they lived on the south side of town and were being flooded in. Our other daughter (Elise), her fiancée (Anthony) and three grandchildren from Goovigen, near Biloela, were flooded in their home for weeks, as the township went under. When eventually able to leave the home, rationing of supplies was enforced as major roads into the town were still cut and no product could get through."

On arriving at Southern Utah University, Peter was not only amazed at the vast student facilities, he found the university community to be ‘extremely tight-knit and friendly'. "The SUU staff could not do enough for me and other exchange students. We have several staff members dedicated to ensuring we have everything we need."

It was no surprise that the news of Queensland suffering from the biggest flood disaster in recorded history made waves through the SUU campus which is currently hosting a number of Queensland students, three of whom are members of the University's basketball team. The impact on Queenslanders affected university staff and students to the point they established a major fundraising venture to benefit the flooded communities here in Queensland.

SUU's Center for Global Engagement issued an appeal to its university community: cash in your loose change for a good cause. Titled ‘Quarters for Queensland', the University had donation cans placed all over campus in the hope its 8000-plus students and 700-plus faculty staff would donate just a quarter a day. At the end of the two-week fundraiser, SUU raised $US1115, with all the proceeds going towards the Queensland Premier's Disaster Relief Fund.

CQUniversity's Global Manager for Student Mobility and Study Abroad Janelle Allen said she was overwhelmed to hear that SUU went to such efforts to support both CQUniversity and Queensland. "The Southern Utah University went to such lengths to support our communities - it was amazing. It also provided a great opportunity for our universities to engage with our communities on a different level".

In a video presentation (see video above) sent to SUU and which featured on the University's website, CQUniversity's Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Hawkins thanked SUU for its concern and support. "We really appreciate the support given by the staff and students from Southern Utah University to the people of Queensland. It's a testament to the close relationship that exists between our two countries." He commended the SUU on its humanitarian commitment and said "it shows what Aussies call mateship".

"This is so typical of the people of Utah," says Peter, who has experienced the generosity and compassion first hand. "They are the kindest and most friendly people I have met and a lot like Queenslanders. I know everyone will appreciate the support and if Utah, God forbid, was ever in tragic need, then I am certain the Queenslanders will be among the first to help."