Creating a home in Sydney

Moving to Australia felt like a huge step, moving so far from friends and family, and basically starting my social life from scratch again. However, the anxiety was unnecessary.

Once arriving, I moved into a shared room, it seemed very strange to share a room with a stranger, but it was one of the best decisions I made. I immediately felt at home, and got to become close friends with my roommate, and we started hanging out daily, and she helped me get settled in Sydney instantly. Through meeting my housemates, I immediately clicked with them and had a friend group I would hang out with every day.

My birthday fell before the start of term, and I expected to spend my birthday alone, being so far from home, but gaining close friends in Sydney within the week through housing, allowed me to have a great day and was a perfect way to spend my 21^st,and I’ll never forget it. So don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, start conversations even in accommodation, most people are in similar situations.

Once university started, I met a few people at orientation, but I didn’t form close friends during the introductory week, and that is completely fine, so if you get into the same situation don’t worry! What’s meant to be will be! I ended up meeting very close friends through societies and my classes. So don’t worry about meeting your person or people immediately, you will find them eventually. I met most of my friends in the picture below, throughout the year.

Although there are some downsides to meeting friends here, as many of the exchange students leave after just 1 semester, in November/December. Meaning many of my closest friends left, only halfway through my exchange, leading to many shed tears lol, and having to start from scratch with friend-groups again. Although there are a few people in the same situation, so don’t be too worried about this too much, especially if you plan to return home for Christmas, the transition won’t be too hard, however as I stayed over the holidays, I could feel the noticeable change. But this makes the time with your friends just that much more valuable, as you know the time together isn’t a guarantee in the future!

As for friends at home, I was worried about friendships fading whilst I was gone, but I actually became closer with a lot of people back home. I recommend random calls to your friends, making time for friends whilst even just doing the dishes makes all the difference. If you make the effort you have nothing to worry about.

The friendships I have gained in Australia have changed me for life. From Iceland, USA, France and even England, I have got the opportunity to meet the most incredible people and I have hopes to visit all of them within the next year. I have built a new family here and they mean everything to me and have been the greatest things to come out of the exchange, from birthday parties, to getting coffee together, trips, endless karaoke…and even teaching me to swim, the memories will be forever reminisced and valued.

The people I met here made the exchange what it was, and I know you will all get to experience that too!