Life has a funny way of working things out. I was planning on studying abroad in Rome, but instead, I found myself heading halfway around the world to Sydney, Australia. A surprise destination that quickly became the adventure I didn’t know I needed. As excited as I was to study abroad in a new country, I was just as terrified. Arriving in Australia knowing no one, no family, no sense of what would happen, I remember lying awake my first night, staring up at the ceiling and asking myself, “What am I doing here?” However, that question soon turned into “Why do I need to leave?”

One of the biggest adjustments for me was my housing situation. My university arranged co-ed apartments with three girls and three guys living together. I was a bit nervous because I had never lived with guys before, let alone lived in another country. At first, I felt a little disappointed that most of my roommates kept to themselves, but I learned that sometimes the smallest gesture can make the biggest difference. Simply asking if one of my roommates wanted to play cards one night turned into weekly poker nights with my roommates and neighbors, along with late-night conversations that often lasted until 3 a.m. As my time in Australia slowly was coming to an end, I realized that some of the most meaningful memories were made around our dining table, talking about our upbringings, inside jokes, and dreaming of what we want in life. These moments that I took for granted back in the moment, and now all I want is to play one more hand of poker and laugh with my roommates and neighbors while snacking on chicken nuggets.

Studying abroad also gave me the opportunity to learn how to play a new sport: Netball! Before coming to Australia, I had only seen netball played on TikTok, so when I saw there was a social club for it, I took immediate interest in trying it out. I was placed on a team made up entirely of individual sign-ups, and while I was excited, I was also extremely nervous because I was the only person without any prior playing experience. However, my teammates were very welcoming and patient, taking the time to teach me the rules and help me catch on. Joining the netball social club ended up being one of the best decisions I made during my study abroad. It allowed me to immerse myself in the Australian sporting culture, and what started as a group of strangers quickly turned into some of the best teammates I could have asked for.

While exploring Australia was unforgettable, it was the friends that I made along the way who made the whole experience worthwhile. There’s something incredibly special about people from all over the world coming together and sharing the same journey, it truly creates a bond that lasts far beyond the experience itself. It made me feel extremely grateful for choosing Australia because otherwise I would have never met these amazing people who have changed my life for the better. From weekly trips to Bondi Beach and Yo-Chi runs, to skydiving, family dinners, movie nights, snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, nights out at PJ’s bar, camping in Jervis Bay, and even backpacking across Vietnam for two weeks, each memory holds a special place in my heart. No matter how far apart we may be whether in Germany, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Singapore, or the United States, I know these memories and friendships will last a lifetime.

Before studying abroad, I was hesitant to leave Chapman and my friends because of the comfortable bubble I had grown accustomed to. Stepping outside of that comfort zone was intimidating, but it showed me how much more existed beyond that sense of safety. Studying abroad allowed me to grow into a more confident, independent, and open-minded person, someone I don’t think I would have become if I had chosen to stay at Chapman. This experience opened my eyes to how much more there is in the world and sparked a desire to keep traveling, meeting new people, and embracing everything life has to offer.

If there’s one piece of advice I would give anyone considering studying abroad, it would be this: you can always return to what’s familiar, but the chance to experience something new is rare. This experience taught me that the most meaningful growth happens when you step beyond what feels familiar and allow yourself to embrace the unknown. And when people say the time goes by fast, it truly does so enjoy every moment of it. Studying abroad was one of the best experiences of my life, and I hope it will be for you too!

With Love From Down Under,

Kristi Yasukochi

Major: Business Administration, Minor: Leadership

Semester: Fall 2025, Location: Sydney, Australia

University: University of Technology Sydney