The highlights of my first two weeks in Sydney – Life and recommendations

By Logan Tilley, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

Some tips and recommendations before you come to Sydney:

1. Find out your terms dates and plan your health coverage accordingly. The length of your visa will be dictated on this.
2. Keep an eye out for flight deals, as coming to Sydney is not cheap.
3. Plan where you are going to stay when you arrive, as it is unlikely to find long-term accommodation before you get here.
4. Ensure that you are enrolled and registered for your first classes so that you can study what you planned
5. Pack light, as you will not be able to take much with you and you’ll always want to get new things when you arrive.

For once you have arrived:

1. Register for an account on flat sharing websites like flatmates.com.au and flatmatefinders.com.au
2. Get a local sim from a supermarket. I got mine in Aldi, its very reasonably priced and works really well. You will need a local number to open a bank account and activate your health insurance.
3. Get an RSA certificate. Sydney is very expensive, so if you don’t want to deplete your entire savings here you will want to work. Any kind of hospitality and bar work requires an RSA, so complete the course early to get ahead.
4. If you didn’t already, download an app like Revolut to avoid international transfer fees and keep track of your spending.

Arriving on the other side of the world after 30 hours of travel can leave anyone dazed and confused, and I was no exception. Arriving early in the morning challenged my desire to stay awake but I headed out for the location I had always dreamed about, Bondi Beach. But I was met with the reality of the Australian winter and felt like I hadn’t even left home.

I continued my tourist trek the next day to the main sights of the Harbour and enjoyed an incredible crackling pork belly Banh Mi in the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens before wandering around Darlinghurst and its many thrift shops.

However, my favourite day so far was spent in Manly, a beautiful seaside town a peaceful ferry ride away from the city centre. On a sunny and warm day, you could hardly believe this is what winter is normally like here, at least from the perspective of a Brit. I wandered down the coastal path and took my place on the tranquil Shelly Beach, away from the wind and waves, and read my book until a gorgeous violet sunset later in the evening.

While the natural wonders of Australia are undeniable, we cannot forget about the sport. Since finding out what on Earth it was a couple of months ago, I had dreamt of going to an Aussie Rules game. The stars had aligned, as the local Sydney Swans were playing the team my Dad supported back when he lived in Melbourne, the Collingwood Magpies. Despite the initial confusion of what I was watching, the lively atmosphere and incredible entertainment made this game a night to remember. The pre- and post-game rituals of going to the local pub and kebab shop really made me feel like I was finally living here, rather than just visiting.

I’m incredibly lucky to be in the position that I am and I do not take it for granted. I am extremely grateful for each day and I can’t wait to keep exploring this wonderful city and further out to the other wonderful opportunities this country has on offer.