I can’t believe these three months have flown by so quickly. It feels like just yesterday I landed here in Sydney, and now I have less than two weeks left. Looking at the bigger picture, three months is not that long, but to me, these few months are everything. I feel like I’ve grown so much, learned so many new things, and have become a newer, better version of myself. I have never been to such a beautiful and unique city. Sydney truly has everything a person could want. Beautiful beaches, a stunning city, good food and shopping and even more. 

At Pitt, I have my friend group, clubs, and sorority that I am a part of. But outside of that, I struggle to meet and interact with new people. Coming to Sydney, I was all by myself and really nervous not knowing anybody. However, I quickly realized so many people were in the same position I was. I was able to really come out of my shell and enjoy this time here with people from all over the country. Everyone in this program was so kind and welcoming, I truly feel like I have gained forty new lifelong friends. Exploring this city with my new friends made this experience so much more fun and unique and I am forever grateful that study abroad brought us together. 

With Sydney being such a global city, I have had the opportunity to interact with people from all over the world. In an academic setting, it has been very interesting learning about the environment, infrastructure, or social issues faced in a different country. It has allowed me to grow and form opinions that are broader than my previous perspective from only being in The United States. Cross cultural communication has taught me understanding, patience, and a deeper appreciation of people and cultures that are different from mine. 

Overall, I could not have imagined a more perfect experience while studying abroad. It has taught me to be comfortable with things that are out of my comfort zone and make me anxious. A key phrase that staff here has repeatedly said was “never say no”. They encouraged us to do and see as much as we could, and I carried that saying with me the whole time. And most importantly, I learned not to take my time for granted, here or in college at Pitt. It feels like time is passing in the blink of an eye, especially these last few months. I am doing my best to take advantage of every moment, having no regrets, and appreciate the experiences and lessons as I go. I will forever be thankful for this experience and everyone who helped me get to where I am today!