Australia is known for its natural wonders, unique animals, and friendly people. During my semester abroad in Sydney I had the opportunity to interact with all of these things. I learned about Australian culture and nature, and though I had an amazing time abroad, I really struggled socially. I am not the most extroverted person, and I often found myself tired from long busy days of activity, so it was difficult for me to make friends. When I did find friends to make plans with, the plans always seemed to fall through the cracks, leaving me feeling disconnected.  

 

I think the study abroad stories we tend to hear involve crazy anecdotes of going on once-in-a-lifetime trips with your forever friends and creating lifelong friendships, but in reality, that is not always the case. Even if you do find a good group of friends, there are bound to be moments of loneliness no matter where you go abroad. Here are some of my tips for helping you cope with this feeling abroad. 

Find your groove! 

 

 

Once you get settled in your new city for the semester, try to nail down a weekly schedule. Your class schedule will help with this. So, if you like to get coffee, maybe make it a part of your regular Tuesday morning routine to go to a local coffee shop. Adding some familiarity into an uncomfortable environment can help you feel more at home. For example, I used to take walks by the harbor when I had free time. I also went to the gym after my internship days and would make an effort to practice self-care at night. 
 

Keep an open mind when meeting new people!  

 

You are now in a new country! Chances are, you don’t know anyone! Use this to your advantage. In my case, I took a lot of classes at the University of Sydney that other international students were also enrolled in. Those classes were a great way to meet new people by either sitting next to them or working with them on group projects. Be friendly with as many people as you can and keep an open mind. It’s nice to have a wide list of contacts if you’re looking for a buddy to go on a day trip with later down the road.  

There were some days I never talked to anyone. Because of the time difference from home, it was difficult to call my family and friends every day, and I didn’t always have the opportunity to talk to people in class. Additionally, my internship that I worked twice a week was work-from-home most of the time. Because of this, I tried to eat with the other students in my program in my dining hall when I could. Even just sitting by someone new, you can strike up an interesting conversation. I have met so many new people this way and it’s cool to have an international contacts list now.     

 Travel with your program!

  

The Arcadia Abroad program that I studied with offered multiple opportunities for free or low-price activities like kayaking under the Harbour Bridge and even a weekend retreat at a camp on Lake Macquarie. Sign up for as many of these activities that you can. Unless you are busy, there is no reason not to go, and the program advisors’ job is to make being abroad a fun experience for you, so seize the opportunity!  

 

 

 

Additionally, two courses I took, Australian Sport and Australian Outdoor Learning, were field trip-based classes, so there were many times I was able to socialize through these trips. I went to an Australian football match, a half-day hike, and a camping trip where I interacted with different people every time. Alternatively, there may be activities you can sign up for through your university. I did a weekend-long Surf Camp that included only international students from the University of Sydney. We spent the weekend learning to surf, and it was a positive social environment for me, where it was easy to make new friends. 

  

 

Travel Solo!

My last piece of advice is not just for those that are lonely. Traveling solo was the most rewarding experience of my semester abroad. If you have the means to travel alone, I definitely recommend it. Many people made spring break plans and plans to travel for study week with friends; it’s great if you find people to do that with but remember it’s not the end of the world if you don’t. There are many benefits to traveling alone. Firstly, you get to do what you want to do, and you don’t have to compromise on a plan with a large group of people. Through my solo travel I learned a lot about myself and had more time to focus on the surrounding world, providing me with a calming experience.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you do take this route, make sure you plan your trips in advance and plan them well. There are many travel apps like Tripadvisor and Get Your Guide that have activities and day trips already bundled for you. You can meet other solo travelers on these types of trips that are also looking for people to meet. Make a list of the things you want to do and prioritize them. Going to New Zealand was something I knew I wanted to do since before I went abroad. I knew this trip would be solo because I wanted to be able to do it my way. I put a lot of time into planning. I found what exact activities I would do, when they were available to sign up for, and what cities I needed to be in to do those activities. I also knew I wanted to go to the Australia Zoo while I was abroad, so I prioritized this trip. I flew to Sunshine Coast and back for a little weekend trip and even though it was short and I was alone, I was so glad to have gone. These experiences were life-changing and helped me become more grounded with my surroundings because I was alone, and I crossed so many items off of my bucket list! 

 

If you are feeling lonely, left out, or like your friends are all having more fun abroad, understand that you are not the only one feeling like this. Remember that social media aids in portraying only the best of what we want to share online. While it may not be the social experience you expected, there are always ways to make your time abroad a fun and exciting study abroad experience.  

 

Caroline Seiler 

Global Communication and World Languages  

Fall 2024, Arcadia Abroad – University of Sydney 

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia