It’s so hard to believe that my time in Sydney is already ending. I know everyone says it, but study abroad really does fly by. While I’m excited to go home and see friends and family, I’ve been struggling the past few weeks with how to say a proper goodbye to the city I’ve called home for the last few months. To collect my thoughts and reflect on my experience navigating the end of my program, I’ve created a step-by-step guide on how to leave study abroad. Hopefully, it can help others navigate the big feelings that come with this chapter closing!
Step 1: Visit your “places”
After a quarter of a year in Sydney, I’ve been lucky to find my “places”—from my favorite local coffee shop to the beach I visit when I’m feeling overwhelmed. I wanted to say a final goodbye to the places that make Sydney feel like home. I took a final run through Centennial Park, where I trained for two half marathons and spent countless hours running the infamous loop. I went to Coogee Beach, where I go to call my family and watch the sunset two times a week. I went to my favorite coffee spot around the corner and said goodbye to Harry, the barista who took the time to learn my name in the first few weeks I was here.
Step 2: Spend time with friends
The best part of study abroad, in my opinion, are the people you get to meet along the way. I was so lucky to spend my time abroad with some of the most incredible, kind people. While I’m sure I’ll stay in touch with them long after we leave Australia, I also know that things will be different.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the ending hustle of study abroad. After all, there are still final exams to take, group reports to write, and bags to pack. Over the last two weeks, it’s important to make the most of your days and set aside intentional time to hang out with your friends. Go to dinner with your roommates, watch the sunset with your class group to celebrate the end of the term, or stay up late after a night out talking about life. My favorite “goodbye” moment happened on the beach, where my friends and I lay in the sand and looked at the stars. Nothing needed to be said as “Vienna” by Billy Joel played over the speaker.
Step 3: Say thank you
Studying abroad is difficult—but certain people make the transition much easier. For me, it was my internship supervisor and my team. They were extremely welcoming, giving me the space to ask ample questions and sending me Sydney recommendations to fill my weekends. Because of them, I learned practical skills like how to write grants, how to work efficiently in a hybrid model, and the structure of Australia’s nonprofit system. More importantly, I learned some incredibly valuable lessons about myself. I learned that asking questions helps strengthen relationships with your coworkers. I learned different lessons from many admirable people in different stages of their careers. I learned that when you’re working a job you love, it doesn’t feel like work at all. Take the time to tell these people thank you for their constant support. Your time abroad wouldn’t be the same without them.
Step 4: Reflect
The last step in saying goodbye is reflecting. When I land back in the States, I know my time is going to fly. Between unpacking, catching up with hometown friends, and moving back out to Pittsburgh for my internship, there will be limited time for me to process my experience abroad. So, take the time now to reflect.
Go to your favorite spot, get your favorite local Australian food, and listen to your favorite music. Find a place to think, observe, and be still. Study abroad is hard! Pat yourself on the back for making it through the program. Think about how far you’ve grown. For me, it’s difficult to reflect back on the start of the program. Being in Sydney has made me more confident in my decisions, more comfortable being alone, and more open to new experiences. I spend less time worrying about the future and more time living in the present. Acknowledge the privilege that it takes to have these opportunities and take a moment of gratitude for the ability to study abroad. As you sit with it all, feel proud of how far you’ve come and the person you’ve grown to be.
