Great Unknown

Great Unknown

• Melissa Mika
• 2013
• 4:56

I am planning to study abroad at the University of Newcastle in Australia. I am currently studying civil engineering at Iowa State University. One of my real passions, though, is in sustainability. I hope to study in Australia and learn more about sustainability on a global scale. I love studying the dynamic interaction of society with the environment. Australia is a perfect location for me since the environment has such a large, daily impact on society and urban life. The concept behind my video is that I wanted to show my adventurous spirit. I have always loved traveling and learning about new cultures, and I love the idea of being able to combine my interest in sustainability with my passion for traveling. The running joke here in Iowa is that once you come here, you often get stuck here, amidst the miles and miles of cornfields. I am hoping that studying abroad will help me escape that trend! The main idea in my video submission is the concept of the “Great Unknown”. The idea is that you will never reach that Great Unknown (whatever it may be) if you never even try. You have to leave the comfort of home and follow the unbeaten path in order to move forward with new discoveries and experiences! I really hold strong to this notion, which is why I am escaping Iowa and pursuing the “great unknown” of Australia. Since my other passion (besides sustainability, traveling, adventure, and math – hey, I AM an engineer) is in photography, all of the video and pictures used in my submission are original film. I look forward to all the knowledge and adventures that await me in Australia.