As my semester abroad comes to an end, I want to take a moment and reflect on this beautiful experience I’ve had in Australia. This fall, I’ve spent nearly 3 months here in Sydney and there have been many magical moments where I was shocked.
This past 3 months has definitely been an insane learning experience. I think I’d define my experience as a curve of emotions. From being ecstatic on day one to feeling extremely homesick and to even doubting my ability to fit in with the culture here. I’ve learned to take care of myself in a completely new country, I’ve learned nearly 10 new recipes, I learned how to surf here, I learned to be myself when I’m surrounded by people and crowds who are different.
From my 3 months here, I’ve seen so much nature that just does not exist where I come from. In the States, in NYC, there are no beaches that are as blue as Australia. I’ve witnessed beautiful night stars surrounded with no light pollution. I’ve seen kangaroos hop in the wild. I’ve also seen koala bears napping away without a care about life. I went down to the beach with the whitest sand, I’ve fed giraffes, nature itself just does so much for mental health.
What surprised me the most here is the open mindedness of people outside of US. Most people here whom I spoke to value traveling and lifestyles way beyond work. 4 pm on a wednesday there’d be people on the beach just tanning away. Corporate just seems to be an additional in order to live. Most people want to see the world out there and also just have a life unlike the sad reality of corporate America. However, I am truly fortunate about being born in the states after visiting Bali.
For spring break, I went to Bali for a week and it was eye opening. I’ve witnessed the poverty on the streets and just how cheap everything is. The children who grew up there live such a life that is in a much worse condition than the US. It made me feel beyond grateful for everything that I have.
I’ve also met so many backpackers and gap year students out here on the other side of the world. People quit their jobs and just travel for a couple years before figuring out their life. There seem to be a less emphasis on living a stable life and I love that for them. I want to take this mindset into my own life back in the states as I’m about to start my corporate job. I want to enjoy life more and do things that make me happy. I want to focus on worrying less about day to day and just complete fun things. I want to truly see the world completely. That will be a purposeful way of living.