Hi! My name is Liliana Ali, and I’m a junior in the College of Business Administration at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Marketing and Supply Chain Management with a certificate in Public and Professional Writing. This semester, I’m studying abroad in Sydney, Australia through the Global Business Institute at CEA CAPA Sydney.
I chose Sydney because I wanted to go somewhere I had never been, and realistically might never live in again, and fully commit to a new environment. I was drawn to the laid-back lifestyle here, but also to the fact that Sydney is a major business hub connected to many Asia-Pacific markets. It felt like a place where I could experience both a relaxed culture and a strong global business setting at the same time.
My personal goals for this program are to become more independent, adapt more easily to change, make meaningful friendships, and learn directly from locals rather than just from a classroom. I also wanted to practice being more open to new experiences, less stressed about the small stuff, and more optimistic when things don’t go exactly as planned. Academically, I’m especially interested in learning how Australian business practices differ from those in the U.S. and how global context shapes decision-making and workplace culture.
My host university experience feels much smaller and more intimate than Pitt. Classes are more close-knit, and it’s been easier to get to know staff and other students on a more personal level. At Pitt, everything feels big and fast-moving; here, it feels more connected and conversational. One thing I’ve really loved is how accessible everything is through public transportation. It’s easy to get around the city without a car, and somehow it’s completely normal to go to the beach before or after class, which still feels a little unreal.
Sydney itself has been incredibly welcoming. Australians are friendly, direct, and relaxed in a way that makes it easy to settle in. There’s always something going on: markets, coastal walks, events, or just new neighborhoods to explore, so it’s hard to run out of things to do. I’ve also noticed some fun cultural differences, especially in vocabulary and slang, which sometimes makes conversations feel like a decoding exercise, but in a good way.
I’m currently living in an apartment-style hotel with three roommates, one from Pitt, one from Georgia, and one from the University of Minnesota, and we’ve gotten along really well and become close friends quickly. Adjusting to shared living in a new country has come with a few learning curves, but it’s also been one of the best parts of the experience. There’s something about figuring out grocery stores, transit cards, and kitchen logistics together that speeds up the bonding process.
Overall, studying abroad in Sydney has already pushed me to grow in ways I expected and a few I didn’t. I’m excited to keep learning, exploring, and saying yes to opportunities while I’m here (even when that means trying foods I can’t pronounce or navigating buses going the wrong direction first).
Some friends and I on the way to our weekend trip to Adelaide!
The beautiful beach views never get old.