It has been some time since I returned to the Sunshine State after my unforgettable semester in Sydney. A wave of humidity hit my face as I exited my plane, letting me know that I was finally home. Now, as I read my first blog post, I realize that the Cristina who arrived in Sydney five months ago is vastly different from my current self. Upon arriving in Sydney, I was certain that my identity would influence the way I saw and experienced Australia. What I did not expect was that Australia would influence my identity to a much greater extent.
For one, I have always viewed myself as a generally adventurous, ambitious, and open-minded woman of color. However, the students who I befriended through the University of Sydney’s newfound Pan-African Association showed me what Black excellence truly looks like. One student, the child of Sudanese refugees, pursued a medical degree in order to return to South Sudan and practice medicine there. She, along with her group of equally inspiring friends, also modeled for name-brand fashion labels and independent photographers–helping to provide other young Black Australian women with representations of themselves in a predominantly White society. Their work ethic motivated me to challenge myself everyday to not only meet, but exceed, my goals.
One of these goals was to reframe exercise as a lifestyle choice rather than an obligation. On face value, this goal seems completely unrelated to study abroad and cross-cultural education. Yet, my exercise journey has always been a source of female empowerment for me, akin to my decision to navigate an entire city alone as a woman. Running one extra mile or completing an extra set of squats would not only build my physical strength, but my mental strength as well. I could then draw upon the same level of perseverance when faced with challenges unique to study abroad, such as walking alone at night or coping with homesickness.
To my surprise, Sydney’s natural and cultural landscape complemented this goal. Springtime in Sydney gifted me with seemingly endless days of sun, which in turn motivated me to run around its bustling Central Business District or along its famed beaches. I began to look forward to the days when I had enough time to wake up at 7 am, brush my teeth, lace my shoes, and hit the streets. As I ran, I gazed at beautiful skyscrapers or majestic waves. I fed off of Sydneysiders’ inherently outdoorsy and active culture, eventually finding a group of friends that adopted their own workout goals while holding me accountable to mine.
I now look forward to carrying this attitude of positivity and idealism into my normal life. While I may not be able to walk the streets of Sydney anytime soon, I continue to carry a piece of the city and Australia at large with me everywhere I go.