I’ve transferred schools and changed my major many times in the past three years but the one thing I knew I wanted to do during college was study abroad. The Rollins website said the coursework was rigorous at the University of Sydney. That would normally turn me away immediately, but I went through with it for some reason, I must have felt extremely confident that day. When I would tell people I was studying abroad in Australia they would say “That’s so far away, it’s an entirely different world down there”. Wasn’t that the whole point of studying abroad? Living in unfamiliarity and existing in an entirely new environment. You always hear people say that after they studied abroad, they gained a new perspective on the world, and they feel like a more “globalized citizen”. So, they were not wrong. I landed in Sydney more confident with being by myself than I had in my entire life. Looking back on the experience of living in a city I had never been to before, I am proud of myself for doing something I knew I always wanted to do but was still afraid of following through with. The unfamiliarity made the experience of studying abroad the most enriching five months of my life. But when I arrived in Sydney, I felt the pressure of failing my classes or not exploring enough of Australia linger for quite a while. I questioned why I once thought I could go to one of the top universities in the world. After the first few weeks of my arrival and questioning whether I could thrive in this new environment, I realized I was in Sydney because I got through everything. I felt every single nerve of starting at a new school and I made it through. I made friends in my classes, explored Australia, and made memories with people that I will never forget. My Indigenous History class was the most eye-opening class I had ever had the chance to be in. Being able to learn about the diverse traditions, languages, and art forms of the Aboriginal peoples in Australia has not only broadened my cultural understanding but also deepened my appreciation for the resilience of their culture. The demanding coursework and high expectations encouraged resilience and a stronger work ethic, qualities that I would never have gotten anywhere else. I learned that Australians put a lot of effort into their schoolwork, but they also realize the importance of having a balance when it comes to school and their work, friends, and family. Australians value friendships and their family and I found it to be special and something I found a deep appreciation for. I eventually found a routine in Sydney. I learned the difference between getting through each day and living each day with curiosity and open-mindedness. The initial fear and self-doubt I once felt turned into a sense of empowerment and self-confidence. I not only survived what I thought would be the most challenging months of my life, but I thrived there, and I will never forget the people and memories I got from it.
