As I near the end of my time abroad, I can’t help but feel extremely grateful for the experiences and memories I have had here. This is a truly magical country, and it is bittersweet to think this opportunity is coming to an end.

I have been able to travel to many new places, in and outside of Australia, which has only enhanced my study abroad experience. Having the opportunity to travel to new places has been both exciting and challenging, especially when it comes to balancing schoolwork and my internship with exploring. However, I can only describe this experience as incredibly rewarding. I’ve had the chance to meet an amazing group of people who I can now call lifelong friends.

I’ve also been fortunate enough to experience authentic Australian culture and even travel to other countries during my time abroad. One of my favorite things about studying in Australia is being able to go to the beach whenever I want. The culture here is something I truly admire and hope to incorporate into my daily life back in the U.S. Australians value work-life balance, don’t take things too seriously, and prioritize exercise and outdoor living. These are qualities I find inspiring and am excited to bring back to the states. Sydney has been such an incredible city to study in, and I feel lucky to have spent so much time here. Being on the other side of the world, I understand how difficult it may be to return someday, which makes me even more grateful for the three solid months I’ve had in this beautiful country.

Some of my biggest takeaways from this experience are to roll with the punches, not take life too seriously, and always be friendly. Australia is built on mateship, and I’m proud to say I’ve built lasting mates here. One of my most challenging yet rewarding classes this semester was Australian Cinema. It taught me not only about the recurring themes of mateship and identity in Australian culture but also about concepts like isolation and remoteness. These are feelings I’ve personally experienced being so far from home. So even though this country has blessed me with great memories and new friends, I have experienced the downsides engrained in Australian culture. Yet, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything in the world. It’s been such a rollercoaster, I’ve grown in more ways than I even know and have created memories that will last a lifetime. It has been the highlight of my life thus far, and I already can’t wait to come back to this amazing country.