Sydney, Australia is hands down the most beautiful place I have ever been. The city sprawls over 4,500 miles, abounding with natural wonders and friendly Aussies. Studying abroad in Sydney was both exactly what I expected it to be and full of surprises.

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While I am certainly glad I got to meet real life kangaroos and attend a performance at the famed Sydney Opera House, some of my favorite moments in Sydney involved hearing from local historians and cultural experts. Learning about the peculiar history of Australia as a prison colony was especially interesting, and one of my most unforgettable moments was learning about the infamous Sydney Rat Catchers, a band of 1900 era schemers who made money by catching rats on the streets to combat Bubonic Plague (and secretly bred rats to earn extra money). I also gained an appreciation for the Aboriginal culture by hearing stories of Aboriginal people whose families had been living in the Sydney area since long before Australia was colonized. I found it humbling to hear about Aboriginal reverence for the natural Australian landscape and how they derived their spiritual beliefs and guideposts from the natural landmarks themselves. 

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Among these illuminating cultural encounters, I was also experiencing my first time outside the United States. While most may have chosen to go somewhere a little closer to home for their very first international experience, I am so glad I decided to take a risk and go big. I pushed myself far outside my comfort zone and gained confidence from all the challenges, including the 14 hour plane ride, hikes through the hot Australian sun, and early mornings to hear from Sydney business experts. I experienced more personal growth than I ever could have imagined. I can’t wait to bring this same growth mindset to my next study abroad experience in Verona, Italy for the full fall semester.