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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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Residential Life at the University of Western Australia
By Emma Pitcher, University of Western Australia Perth, Australia Similarly to universities at home in the UK, UWA offers several accommodation options that are near the campus grounds. Obviously, which one you pick depends on your preferences, budget, etc… however, after my first semester I can provide my own recommendations! Something I found to be severely lacking when I initially began my UWA research. First off, there are 5 different colleges to choose from: University Hall, Trinity Residential College, St Thomas More College, St George’s College and St Catherine’s College. All the details on costs and what services they provide can be found on their respective websites but in this…
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How to Pack for a Year at ANU
by Alex Moore, Australian National University, Australia When it comes to packing, I definitely got caught up in thinking about Australia in the summer. However, as I have learnt, Canberra winters are no joke. When you arrive in July, it will be around 10-15 degrees, so you may want to reconsider packing your puffer. It may not sound as cold as the UK, but for some reason, the cold just hits differently out here (and their buildings aren’t as insulated as they are at home, which doesn’t help). The saving grace of winter is that it does not rain to the extent it does in Manchester (thankfully), and the showers…
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Packing for your year abroad
By Emma Pitcher, University of Western Australia Perth, Australia Now that I am approaching the end of my year abroad and am faced with the daunting task of packing… Here’s what you should and shouldn’t bring. I brought too much. In all fairness, when I was packing, I did have to consider if I would have enough for the whole year. But don’t overcomplicate it. Only bring what you need and actually wear. None of that “I’ll definitely wear this *insert item you’ve kept in the back of your wardrobe and never worn*.” And in terms what you need, make sure to include a coat, i.e., a raincoat (it doesn’t…
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A Wholesome Wine Tasting Day at Brindabella Hills
By Nina Vincent, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia If you’ve been in Canberra for more than a few months, you’ve probably had that feeling: you’ve been to the same brunch spots, walked around Lake Burley Griffin a few too many times, and you’re wondering what else there is to do that’s actually different. Cue: Brindabella Hills Winery. About a 30-minute drive from the city centre, this spot feels like a complete escape. Nestled in the foothills of the Brindabellas, the views alone are worth the trip — rolling vineyards, soft autumn light, and sweeping mountain ranges in every direction. It’s the perfect mix of peaceful, a little bit fancy, and still…
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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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A love letter to Sydney 💌
By Nina Vincent, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia As my time in Australia comes to a close, one city stays with me more than any other: Sydney. It’s not just the harbour views or postcard-perfect beaches. It’s something harder to pin down a particular pace, a way of being. Sydney offers an ease that’s difficult to describe until you’ve lived inside it for a while.
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What It’s Really Like Going to a Festival in Australia ?
By Nina Vincent, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia If you’re a music lover, festival goer, or simply curious about what it’s like to party under the Aussie sun – this one’s for you. After spending nearly a year living in Australia as a UK exchange student, I’ve had the chance to experience a few festivals that honestly changed how I see live music events. Here’s what sets Aussie festivals apart, plus a few tips to help you make the most of the experience while you’re here. The Vibe: More Chilled, More Clean, More Respectful The first thing that struck me was the overall vibe. Australian festivals are much more chilled out.…
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See you soon, Syd.
Looking back on Australia
What I wish I’d known about Australia
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Saturday in Sydney
By Ayero Moro, Australian National University, Australia I only visited Sydney a few times during my year abroad. One of my favourite days started like this: coffee from a local spot near Newtown, sitting outside watching the city slowly wake up then falling asleep on the grass. We wandered through Glebe Markets that morning. It’s one of those places where you can find vintage Levi’s next to handmade jewellery and a pile of books someone’s trying to rehome. I didn’t need anything, but I still somehow left with a tote bag, a mango smoothie, Cinnabon, and a couple mozzy bites. In the afternoon, we caught the ferry from the Quay.…
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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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Canberra: The City of Roundabouts
By Ayero Moro, Australian National University, Australia When I told people I was going to Canberra, the reactions were mixed. ‘’Why not Sydney?’’ I wasn’t even sure what to expect. But after living there for just over a year, I can confidently say: Canberra is unexpectedly charming.
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Making My Room Feel Like Home (Even with Shared Showers)
By Ayero Moro, Australian National University, Australia One of the first things I learned on exchange: you can’t control everything – but you can control how your room feels. And for me, turning my dorm into a little slice of home made all the difference. I stayed at Fenner Hall, one of ANU’s student accommodations. It’s right in the centre of campus, super convenient, and very social. My room came with a bed, fan, desk, shelves, and pinboards I printed out photos from home, took a couple of books from the op shop I knew I wouldn’t read (but looked good), and added fairy lights, of course. Within a week,…
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