With one year of college left, I had decided it was time to have a little adventure, learn a few things I just couldn't get in classes back home, and gain a little work experience.

I studied abroad at the University of the Sunshine Coast through the State University of New York, Cortland. The first semester I focused on classes, but the second half of my time abroad I focused on koalas. Yes, koalas, kangaroos and more. Through their study abroad and internship program I scored an internship at the Australia Zoo, home of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, the naturalist with a death wish. ("Oy, crikey, that was a close one!" as he steps back from the clamped jaws of the crocodile.)

As a geography major, I was more used to looking at maps than I was dealing with crocs and business. In order to receive school credit for the work, I had to complete a research project. (It's important for anyone studying abroad to make sure your classes or internship projects are approved for credit transfers.) Because of a concentration in travel and tourism, someone guessed that I'd fit best within the cramped office of the marketing department.

Before the start of the internship, I was a little fuzzy as to what my exact job would be. My research project was to create visitor profiles and analyze them to plan marketing strategies and improve services at the zoo. Basically, figure out who wants to see koalas and why everyone is in love with the Crocodile Hunter.

Studying abroad is more than just hitting the books in another country. It's a great chance to get involved with projects, classes or programs that are unique to the foreign university. Studying art in Florence is taking "field trip" to a new level. International relations classes near The Hague have a certain cachet that you can't get elsewhere. Tourism at the Australian Zoo proved to be everything I hoped for.

I admit, I was apprehensive about the internship. My knowledge of animals is very limited, especially those native to Australia. And marketing? Business was the furthest thing from my mind. Besides, how would I get any work done with that wild Crocodile Hunter running around? Some would jump at the opportunity to work under this fearless animal friend, but I was downright terrified of him. The man wrestles crocodiles for a living. . . is this what they expect from all the workers?

I had daily small jobs around the zoo. These ranged from the fun-filled photocopying to cutting out articles from the newspaper on topics pertaining to the zoo. But it wasn't all fun and games and photocopying. I moved around a lot in the zoo. My supervisors made it a point to invite me to meetings with various tour operators in the area, where I mostly listened. I was dealing with professionals and learned a lot from them. Still, nobody ever hesitated to ask my opinion or see if I had any bright ideas.

I never knew exactly what the next day would be like at the zoo. I spent as much time as I could with the animals, which I learned to love. I frequently participated in animal demos around the zoo. Every worker was asked to participate in these at some point of the day. This allowed people to get out of the office into the glorious sunshine and to get to know the zoo and its customers a little better.

Not only did I learn more about the tourism industry by working at the zoo, but I also learned how to work more effectively with people. Working in an office is not my forte, but I saw how these people dealt with the daily stresses of limited space, deadlines and obsessed fans. But I also saw something else within these people – passion for the animals. The animals first, then the 'zoo family' and finally, the customer. This policy worked really well.

While completing my marketing project, I thought of how I possessed the same research and analysis skills a year ago when I was in a classroom in upstate New York, but now I have the actual experience of being out in the field. I can say to a prospective employer, "I've done this!"

If considering an internship as part of your study abroad experience, there are a few things to think about before you begin your search. First, why are you interested in doing this? Are you doing it for your own personal interest or to make yourself more marketable when its time to job hunt? This helps determine the level of commitment you're willing to invest. Also, are you strong enough academically? Technically, it is still a "study abroad" program and many of these don't allow additional internships if grades aren't up to par. Besides the many benefits that an internship holds for you, is there something that you could bring to the employer?

What I learned at the zoo came as quite a shock to me. I know that I am not a marketing person – that's no surprise. But what I did learn there is something that can never be taught in a classroom. Seeing the ins and outs of running a business is fascinating, especially when it revolves around the care of over 650 animals and there's the unique perspective from Down Under. I will probably never have another job where I have to give up a desk for a dingo, or find a camel taking a leisurely stroll in front of my office window, but my time at the Australia Zoo has prepared me for a future within the tourism industry. I now possess confidence in my abilities, stemming from actual work experience. Plus, I know whom to call in case I have a little trouble with a croc.