A little recap of my semester in Australia! If you feel inspired to study abroad, this article might be for you. I recommend this trip to everyone, and I hope this serves as some inspiration. Remember to always keep exploring and taking advantage of the opportunities given to you!
February/March
As I flicked through the thick papers in the pamphlets, the pages rustled with the idea of an alluring European countryside: Parisian cafes, Spanish meals, Portuguese beaches, and Swedish ski trips. Even more of an entrancing trip to see offered was Japan, Korea, and Indonesia, a 12-hour flight from home, with exotic foods, party culture, and architecture I’d never seen before. The last flick of the page revealed Australia, or the land down under, with the promise of a hot summer that started in January, and a winter that appeared in June where you could still swim in any rock pool you desired. An astonishing 22-hour flight from Connecticut, I decided it would be best if this trip took place over a six-month semester, where I’d have the time to explore and make it worth the long flight and weeks of planning. Escaping the state that I’d always dreamed of leaving is what made Australia so tempting. Although I recognized Connecticut’s New England charm and loved the beauty of the countryside, I knew there was much more to explore outside of it. I could never relate to the idea of wanting to stay in New England, much less the same state for the rest of my life. I loved change, the idea of fresh starts, clean beginnings, and the opportunity to keep evolving. A semester abroad offered all of this, and more. If I could only leave for one semester anyway, why not pick the farthest spot I could go?
Upon arriving at Sydney Airport, I was most surprised by the birds chirping right outside the doors. There were all kinds of exotic birds that I’d never seen before, with colorful feathers, long beaks, and short stubby legs as they walked around. The palm trees hovered over me, with the promise of summer in the air. I loved summer, I was the kind of person who wished for it all year round, disregarding the idea of four seasons. As pretty as it was to see the leaves change from green to red and the first snowfall where everyone went sledding, an endless summer is where my heart always remained. I didn’t mind the heat either, especially in the city of Wollongong, an hour down from Syndey, where I had the beach just 10 minutes away from my dorm with waves to surf and soft sand to rest on so I could tan. The smell of the coconut Sex Wax air freshener lingered in everyone’s cars, and you could hear the seagulls chirping early in the morning — just in time for sunrise swim. Afterwards, acai bowls, classes, and a movie night with my Aussie friends, the best part of this whole experience.
April/May
The month of April remained a warm summer, bringing me closer to the friendships I’d made in February upon arriving. Despite only having this country take up six months of my life, I felt like I’d made friendships that would last forever. From being invited to my friend’s house near Melbourne over “spring break” to joining a Pilates group for the first time, I felt immense gratitude for being welcomed in with such open arms to a place I’d never stepped foot in before and had no connection to. I was settled in with my study abroad experience, and I’d made a friend group that showed me what it really meant to be Australian, and how amazing the people can make the country. We woke up early most mornings when the sun first started shining to get a warm hot coffee and swim in the ocean, leading me to realize over this trip that living by the beach was important to me. The effects of a cold dip in the morning and the saltwater seemed to prove beneficial, and I loved the long walks I could take along the sand. This country made me realize what I held closest to my heart, and that created a new sense of self-assurance. I also became more active, from hiking up the Mount Kiera mountain to going to the Uni gym and pool, I felt like this active lifestyle really benefited me.
Over the holiday break, I watched everyone go home to see their families and old friends. I had nowhere to go until my friend, Mia, decided I could come along on her 10-hour road trip home, which quickly formed into a core memory. The constant chatting between us and the quiet hum from her CD’s that carried elite music taste made this the quickest road trip of my life. Mia took me to her home and introduced me to her family, and the city of Ballarat, an hour away from Melbourne. I loved both the quaint countryside and the city, but I was most grateful to have been included in her life. Seeing the shops in her local town, trying her mother’s delicious vegan dishes, and meeting her city friends from Melbourne made me realize how much good there was spread all across the country. It also made me realize how big Australia was! The distances were long to travel, but the destinations kept making it worth it. Everyone I met was so kind, welcoming, and ready to include me in their lives.
June/July
The end of school slowly started to approach. It meant my first Australian winter was arriving, which was surprisingly warm compared to Connecticut. I began to prepare to part ways with Wollongong, but first I had to go to all my favorite spots to say goodbye. My study abroad journey included my parents traveling to visit me, with a proper family trip taking place to close out this experience. I couldn’t stop planning once I heard the news — figuring out all the university spots I’d take them to, going to local areas in surrounding towns with the best beaches and lunches, and meeting my friends who had taken care of me and treated me like family since February. Being away from my parents for six months made me feel grateful to have something so special that was worth missing and visiting. After saying our goodbyes to the Gong, we traveled to the state of Queensland to explore the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns, one of the eight wonders of the world. Afterwards, we traveled to Fitzroy Island, where I saw the clearest water of my life. Finally, we finished up at the Whitsundays, known for having the world’s whitest beaches. The sand was so fine that it was cold to the touch, never letting the sun overheat it. It sparkled against the water and could only be reached by boat. An unhabitable island that I had stepped foot on!
As I got on the plane to return back to the United States, I could feel the tears start to form in my eyes and the lump in my throat making it harder to swallow and speak. Leaving Australia made me realize that I hadn’t just seen the beauty of another country or created lifelong friendships, but I’d created a second home for myself that I knew I was never going to stop missing. Australia, and studying abroad in itself, had given me the opportunity to see how much self-growth I could have in another country and how much peace a different culture could bring. At times, the slowing down of life, the simplicity in the day-to-day, and the laid-back personalities of the Aussies made me feel like I belonged more there than in America.
I hope you enjoyed this quick recap of my six months in Australia! Every study abroad experience can differ from person to person, but I recommend it to all. The University of Connecticut does a great job at offering a chance for every student to go at least once, so take advantage of it.