Like any big trip, the level of preparation to spend my summer (their winter) in Australia was mixture of excitement and fear. I was comforted by the fact that this was not the first time I had to deal with the lingering question: is it really worthwhile to travel thousands of miles to do this. Although this was my third research-related trip away from home, the first two trips were not as nearly as exotic as Australia.

My journey to Australia began at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in the summer of 2005. I credit Dr. Brian Davis for introducing me to the world of pain sensing neurons where I worked to identify the process in which neurons communicated pain in the trigeminal ganglion. The Davis laboratory was also engaged on collaborative research with the Centre for Neuroscience in Adelaide, South Australia where I was introduced to Dr. Judy Morris. Building on this collaboration, I decided I wanted to pursue the opportunity of going down under.

Once greeted by the Morris laboratory at Flinders University any fears stemming from the pressure to meet expectations were put to rest. I could have never expected the level of hospitality that Dr. Judy Morris and her husband, Professor Ian Gibbins, afforded me and to them I am very grateful. Also unexpected was the level of diversity in the Autonomic Neurotransmission Laboratory including Malgosia Krupa from Poland, Dr. Rainer Haberberger from Germany, and Dr. Sue Runciman from South Africa. Which made World Cup discussions eventful and worth waking up at 4:00 in the morning to watch
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On the other hand, acquiring new research methods and techniques was indeed an expectation and for that I thank the heart and soul of the Department of Anatomy and Histology, Mrs. Pat Vilimas. Under the guidance of Pat, I investigated the vasodilation of pelvic vasculature that is most notably active during reproduction.

The autonomic vasomotor pathways control vasculature by the expression of neuropeptides that activate vasoconstrictor and vasodilator neurons. Nerve pathways involved in active vasodilation increases blood flow, the same pathway seems to be activated during sexual activity. Prior to my arrival it was demonstrated that the urethrogenital (UG) reflex is an appropriate paradigm for activating the pelvic autonomic pathways leading to vasodilation. My part included applying UG reflex to our cute and adorable animal subjects, two-week post-natal female guinea pigs. This included transecting their spinal cords at thoracic level 12 (T12) to ensure that the signals were localized.

Pat was not just my supervisor; she also served as my translator. Australian vernacular is unique in that it is extremely humorous and very pervasive. A testament to this is the lyrics to Australia's unofficial national anthem, Waltzing Matilda, not even Pat could translate the lyrics for me. Australian slang applies to animals, behavior, events, objects, people, places, and even complete phrases.

Almost as confusing as Australian slang is Australian football! To the American mind, Australian-rules football is really hockey on grass. Both on oval fields and with the same degree of physical play with absolutely no protection for the player in terms of padding. Fortunately to my liking, the rules of engagement for basketball remain universal, and I was able to join the local adult basketball league.

I concluded my stay in Australia with a week of traveling that included Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra. Driving on the opposite side of the car and road was a thrill of the most dangerous kind. I was able to appreciate the marvel of Sydney along with the great Australian landscape. Visiting the many historical museums and exhibits I learned about Australia's transformation from scattered European settlements to a prosperous modern society.

However, it also amazed me how the Australian government delayed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples plight to establish their human rights. Indigenous Australians are still lacking across a range of indicators including health and education. Although my interaction with the indigenous community was very limited to sessions at the Flinders University Aboriginal Health Unit, there is cause for optimism due to measures by the Australian government to improve social justice. All in all, the trip was nothing less than bottling my blood's worth (slang for excellent).

Mohammed Abdelwahab, BRAVO! student