Check out the best blogs from the past three years of the World Traveler Internship about one of our favorite destinations – Australia.

2009 World Traveler Interns – Lindsay Clark and Chris Danner

Morning Ponderings at Kata Tjuta – “We gotta stop complaining about being too old to stay up late or remember what we did yesterday. We’re babies on this planet, babies I tell ya!”

Oz is Hardcore – “If the crocs in the mangroves don’t snatch you off the pier, then maybe the box jellyfish will whip you with the world’s deadliest sting while swimming at the reef.”

The Truth about the Australian Outback – “There are camel herds here. Did you know that? Wild camels, wondering around in packs like they own the place.”

2008 World Traveler Intern – Pat Blute

Saving Coin in Sydney – “While I’ve been out and about, I’ve been using this great little thing called the ISIC card.”

2007 World Traveler Intern – Rachel Rudwall

Listening to the Didgeridoo – “Well, it just so happens that the Tjapukai dancers needed two volunteers to join them on stage, and a girl named Monica and I were the lucky selections!”

Kangaroos in Australia – “After our time of relaxation, cave navigation, and kangaroo stalking, we ventured onward to the tropical paradise of the Whitsunday Islands.”

Attention World Travelers,

Congratulations! By reading this, you’re one step closer to landing the most engaging, interactive, internship on this planet. The only papers you’ll be shuffling through will be plane tickets, the only e-mails you’ll be sending will be blogs emphasizing how fun and exciting other countries are, and (with that in mind) you can imagine what an “office party” is like. Toss aside that briefcase for a backpack, picture your cubicle as a hostel, and realize that this internship REDEFINES what it means to be at the “bottom of the totem pole”.

I think by now everyone understands that this internship will restructure the way you think and redefine how you act.

Therefore, the question I’ve received most often via Facebook and e-mail is: “Do you have any tips on how I can be selected as the World Traveler Intern 2009?” So, I’ve decided to compile all my ideas into an easy guide on how to improve your chances tremendously on winning this legendary excursion.

#1: Treat it as a job. It may take an abstract mind to understand how a trip of this magnitude could be a summer job. However, the interns who will be selected will possess high quality writing, filming, and editing capabilities. With that in mind, you should ensure that your application is filled out completely (with proper capitalization and punctuation) and to the absolute best of your ability. With stakes this high, everything should be as complete, detailed, and accurate as possible. (Example: Dooo nawt wryte ur app liikee a 14yrold gurll on AIM. LOLZ <3 <3. Again, this was only for dramatic effect.)

#2: Infuse yourself in your application as much as possible. What does this mean? So, now you’ve made sure you have accurate, clear, well-written text and you’ve gotten rid of any technical glitches that might pop up. The most important part of any job interview is that the employer gets a clear sense of who you are as an individual. With that in mind, spend some time looking at yourself and understanding why you ARE the perfect candidate for the position. Believe me, you fit the description for the position, but the people who CONVEY it the best will be selected. So, take time to make sure that your application really emphasizes what quirks you will bring to your videos and blogs!

#3: Avoid cliches. If you’re application tape sounds like this: “I absolutely love to travel. Traveling is a passion that I have had forever. When I travel I want to cry at how much I love it. It will mean more to me than anything I have ever wanted EVER.” Let’s just say – we already know this! By applying, we know you love to travel and that this will change your life (because if you win, it ACTUALLY will!). Push through the obvious and show us why you are unique. So if STA Travel is the ‘wind beneath your wings’, express it in your own lovely words!

#4: Utilize some marketing and pitch yourself! I’ve entered a lot of video contests, filled out a lot of scholarships, and discovered that there’s really one way to make it to the top. When you apply, think of yourself as a product. In this case, the medium for comparing all of the different products is really the video application (take this part extremely seriously). When you go shopping you only pick things that appeal to you, right? It’s a simple idea, but make your video appealing. Make sure you are presenting yourself in the best light and show off your strengths.

#5: Don’t be boring. It needs to be said. I was asked earlier how strict the 2-3 minute time length is, and I’m going to advise that you stick to it. Unless you have some ground-breaking, revolutionary piece, you should really try your hardest to compel people for the allotted time frame. Travel is exciting, so you should be as well! In your application, show us how you’ll break the mold from everyone else. I decided to get up and dance initially to show how I was different from the crowd. If you notice a formula to how people set up their applications, break it!

I think anyone is capable of getting hired for this internship. Honestly, I cannot reiterate the life experience I’ve gained from working with a company as reputable, professional, and generous as STA Travel. I have full confidence that the next two interns this year will find their journey fulfilling and their experience new and intriguing.

Best of luck to all the applicants, and I look forward to seeing your videos!

Pat Blute

World Traveler Intern 2008

Okay, there’s nothing as stressful as running across the street — when it’s eighteen lanes wide. You guessed it! During my South American stay, I have been chilling near the Obelisk of Buenos Aires on the busy Avenida 9 de julio, meeting a slew of crazy characters. I actually walked down the street the other day and ran into a tango dancer who taught me some sick dance moves. Victory!

Dancing in the Streets of Buenos Aires

I love B.A. (because it is, indeed, B.A.). When you come to check out this city, stop by La Boca. That’s where you’ll get your paintings, portraits, and tango memorabilia. And everything has the class of a Parisian shop with the prices you’ll learn to love in South America. Again, I went crazy and filled my suitcase with things — much to the dismay of all my clothes that got left behind (or their delight? Eternal vacation does sound nice…).

But the real highlight of my South American adventure was the Galapagos! I have been in classes with a suave Senorita who has told me all about the breath-taking scenery that these enchanted islands capture. (So trust me when I say that I understand how magical this place is…) Being there in person is unreal. In the first five minutes, we saw blue-footed boobies flying above a sea lion lounging on a bench. (All the while red crabs are scuttling about your feet).

Okay, not to mention we were hooked me up with an amazing boat. All fifteen of my ‘crewmates’ are enjoying the sun, surf, and snorkeling. (Just the other day I came face-to-face with a sea lion and fin-to-floor with a white-tipped reef shark! Eep!) If being a marine biologist means playing with animals in the Galapagos for the rest of my life, sign me up! Take care dudes! Catch ya soon.

Sydney is the wild child of world-class cities. Oh yes. It blends the deliciousness of Hong Kong with the nightlife of New York, the posh nature of Paris with the glitz of LA, and (what am I talking about?) they have kangaroos! That’s right blokes and sheilas, we’ve gone Down Under!

Feeding Kangaroos at the Sydney Zoo

One of my favorite parts of this quick jaunt was my stay at the Wake Up! Hostel. Seriously, check it out. When I was there, we had a raging party David Hasselhoff themed. And while I love the scenery of “Baywatch” (Pamela), I was very stunned by the skyline of Sydney (complete with the roaring Opera House and Harbor Bridge). Last time I was here, I was actually able to climb that thing. None of those acrobatics on this jaunt, though!

So I met with two friends over here from my previous adventures – Kaylie and Megan! Kaylie took me out for an American food as popular as baseball, beef burgers, and ‘baby on board’ bumper stickers – Mexican!

Thank god for that. I was running low on the burrito-meter.

And Megan took me to the subject of this short – the zoo! I was able to chill with some cheeky critters, see some old pals, and head for good times (all around). Oh, I’ve been meaning to mention this for a while.

While I’ve been out and about, I’ve been using this great little thing called the ISIC card.

Here’s a tab of what I’ve saved (in Sydney alone):

• Money Transfers: $15.50USD
• Zoo Ticket: $4USD
• Train Tickets: $2USD
• Breakfast: $3USD

Just imagine, that’s only from my Sydney expenses. When I get a chance to do my final expenses, I’ll let you know how much I saved by using the internationally-recognized student ISIC card. That means more money for gas, books, and trips to Wal-Mart. Oh yes. Don’t forget those. Later kids!