University of Sydney
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The Library Always Finds You: A Semester in Sydney, One Year On
By Meg Luddington, University of Sydney, Australia I am writing this as I enter the very final week of my degree. Outside my window is Manchester, a city that I love, even when it is raining, as it currently is. Endings always make me reflective, and a time I try to gather my thoughts on the chapter that has just been. As I reflect on the university chapter, I keep finding that many of my fondest memories are not from Manchester at all, but from my semester in Sydney.
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2 Hobbies I Discovered In Sydney
By Yaryna, University of Sydney – Sydney, Australia 1) Surfing 🙂 I attended my first Surf Camp last semester. What struck me most about surfing is the adrenaline you feel. As we put on our sticky wetsuits, lugged our incredibly heavy boards, and sat in a circle to discuss safety, I felt discomfort and mild annoyance – not at anyone, just at the sheer level of exertion at 7am. But as we entered the water, and the waves towered above me, I suddenly became completely absorbed. I was determined not to be dragged away by a rip current or pushed back onto shore. I was also desperate to catch my…
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3 things that shocked me about Sydney
By Yaryna, University of Sydney – Sydney, Australia Rise and grind Sydney, like the rest of Australia, is extremely health conscious. People here live with their circadian rhythms. Everything opens early and closes early too. There was one distinct situation that highlighted this stark difference to me. I was staying at a hostel on the Gold Coast and couldn’t sleep at all because of a snoring man in the bunk bed next to me. I accepted my losses and left the hostel at 5am to go see the sunrise on the beach. I was shocked to find an open café next to the beach, already bustling with people. After ordering…
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Being a Stranger at Home.
By Valentina, University of Sydney, Australia A Guide to Adjusting Back to Manchester After Your Experience Abroad Returning to reality after a year abroad has been an interesting experience. When leaving Australia, I initially thought that the transition would be difficult. I expected to feel foreign in a place that was once mine, and I worried that my friends would have moved on whilst I was left behind. But my experience of adjusting to life in the UK has not been what I anticipated in the slightest. It’s interesting our brains fears change, but when push comes to shove, it’s rarely as dramatic or drastic as expected. In reality, my…
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Why it is (sometimes) good to worry your parents: a case for solo travelling
By Meg Luddington, University of Sydney, Australia A decision to study abroad is usually enough to give your parents grey hair or encourage an already unhealthy relationship with the Find My iPhone app. That is before you even mention the idea of travelling alone either side of the study period at your new uni. But here is why you should do it anyway!
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Souvenirs from Sydney: Lessons from a Year Abroad
By Valentina Calcagni, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia About a year ago, I was anxiously scrolling through this very blog page looking for advice on being in Australia for a year – or perhaps something to convince me that signing up to leaving the continent was in fact a good idea. I remember coming across one blog post in particular. It was written by a girl looking back on her time in Sydney, which was coming to an end. In every photo, she was smiling; every other sentence, a classic blog-post line— “it’s gone so fast,” “it’s been the best year of my life.” As I read through her adventures,…
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Sydney: A Year Abroad in Review
By Joe Ashby, University of Sydney, Australia It’s difficult to put into words how incredible my year abroad experience in Australia was. It is also a near impossible task to succinctly encapsulate this adventure in a mere 500 words; however, this blog will attempt to do so.
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Surviving in Sydney: Jobs, Budgets, and Expenses
By Joe Ashby, University of Sydney, Australia Sydney is an expensive place to live. There is no way around that. So, if you are considering going to Sydney for your year abroad, the best thing you can do is prepare and accept the fact you are going to take on some significant financial burdens during your time here.
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Our (mis)adventures in Western Australia
By Valentina Calcagni, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia At least we can change a tyre now? During my Easter break, two friends and I decided to take a road trip to the glorious outback—proper ‘Straya. No shower, no hot water, no service. All we had was each other and a fragile 4×4 that took personal offence at being driven on actual 4×4 roads. We called her Bertha. Instead of rattling on about our misfortunes (aka Bertha’s tantrums: a burst tyre, two cracks in the windscreen—the list goes on), I’ll outline our route through the south-west wedge of Australia. We began where all good stories begin: Perth. Many are quick to…
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Weekend Trips In Sydney #2: Kosciuszko National Park
By Joe Ashby, University of Sydney, Australia Similarly to a previous blog written on the Blue Mountains, I wanted to take the time to mention another fantastic weekend away from Sydney for outdoor enthusiasts. Mount Kosciuszko is the tallest peak in all of Australia sitting at 2,228 metres above sea level, and we summited it!
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Navigating pre-departure anxiety: how Winnie-the-Pooh can bring comfort
By Meg Luddington, University of Sydney, Australia If you are reading this, you might be considering study abroad, or have already taken the leap yourself. And if either of these is true, you likely consider yourself adventurous. Leaving your comfort zone and everyone in it behind brings challenges which took me by surprise.
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New Zealand: Table for One?
By Valentina Calcagni, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia My honest review of solo travelling New Zealand. Solo traveling might seem daunting to some, but after spending 17 days exploring New Zealand on my own, I can confidently say it’s an experience for everyone. From the people you meet and the freedom of choosing your own schedule, to finding hidden gems, it’s a journey that offers something unique for every solo traveler. And honestly, what better place to do it than in the land of Middle Earth?
