When I first arrived in Sydney, I expected beautiful beaches, friendly people, and the opportunity to explore a new city. What I did not expect was how quickly the city would become a home away from home. Each day has brought on a new adventure. Between adjusting to a different university, starting my internship with the Sydney Blue Sox, and exploring new neighborhoods.

One of my favorite things about my new neighborhood is how much there is to do. Sydney has a unique balance between a busy urban environment and beautiful outdoor spaces. The accessibility of public transportation has made it incredibly easy to explore different parts of Sydney and experience more of Australian culture. One of the ways I have adjusted and explored life in Sydney is by taking Pilates classes in different neighborhoods throughout the city. What started as a way to stay active has become one of my favorite ways to explore. Visiting different studios has allowed me to see parts of Sydney I would otherwise have been unaware of. More importantly, it has helped me establish a routine, connect with different communities and locals throughout the city, making Sydney feel more comfortable.

Academically, there are both similarities and differences between my host institution, the University of Technology Sydney, and the University of Pittsburgh. Both universities value student engagement and encourage students to think critically about course materials. One of the biggest differences I have noticed is the size of my classes. At UTS, class sizes are much smaller, which allows students to participate in discussions during nearly every class session. These conversations create a more interactive learning environment and give everyone an opportunity to share their perspectives. While I enjoy my classes at Pitt, many of them have been significantly larger, making the same level of discussion difficult to achieve. The smaller class sizes at UTS have helped me become more engaged in class and more comfortable contributing to academic discussions.

Outside of the classroom, I am completing an internship with the Sydney Blue Sox, a professional baseball organization in Australia. I am working with the marketing team to help create promotional content and advertisements designed to increase attendance and participation in the Sydney Blue Sox Academy. One of the most exciting parts of my internship has been producing video content and brainstorming creative ideas for social media campaigns. Recently, we have been filming content that included fun interview-style videos and interactive questions for players and coaches.

Working in sports marketing has shown me that success requires much more than simply posting content online. Creativity is essential because organizations are constantly competing for attention. Strong communication skills are equally important because projects often involve collaboration between coaches, athletes, and marketing staff. Adaptability is another key strength since social media trends and audience preferences can change very quickly. Finally, being willing to learn and accept all feedback is critical in an industry where innovation and improvement happen every day.

Overall, my experience in Sydney has been incredible so far. Between adjusting to a new academic environment, exploring one of the world’s most famous cities, and gaining hands-on experience in sports marketing, I have already learned so much. While there have certainly been challenges along the way, each one has helped me grow both personally and professionally. I am excited to continue making the most of my time here and to see what new opportunities the rest of this journey brings.