The moment it hit me that I was really living in Australia wasn’t when my plane landed or when
I saw the Sydney Opera House for the first time. It was much quieter than that. I was standing
alone in a grocery store after class, staring at shelves full of unfamiliar brands like Up & Go, V
Energy, and Smith’s Chips, when I realized that I was no longer just visiting Australia, but
actually living there.

On July 12, 2025, I officially left the United States and, 14 hours later (yes, time travel included),
landed in Sydney on July 14. Stepping off the plane, I felt both excited and nervous. I knew
studying abroad would bring travel, new friendships, and unforgettable experiences, but I did not
yet realize how much the semester would reshape the way I envisioned my life after graduation.
What began as a temporary academic experience quickly became something far more
transformative — an opportunity to grow, challenge myself, and reconsider what my future
could look like.

During my first few weeks, everyday tasks became opportunities to learn. Navigating Sydney’s public transportation system, converting currency, and settling into new routines helped me
adjust to life in a new country. Academics at Macquarie University were also structured differently from what I had experienced at home. Each course was led by both a lecturer, who delivered the primary course content, and a tutor, who guided smaller discussion-based sessions focused on applying what we learned. This format encouraged active participation and personal accountability, helping me strengthen my organization skills and confidence in managing my coursework independently.

Outside of the classroom, I quickly found a sense of community through living in student
accommodation. Some of my favorite memories came from simple moments — playing card games after class, organizing group grocery runs, cooking meals together, and staying up late talking around the kitchen table. These everyday routines turned strangers into close friends and made Sydney begin to feel like home. It was through these shared experiences that I met Clara, a student from Germany who became one of my closest friends during the semester. Despite coming from different backgrounds, we bonded over shared excitement, occasional homesickness, and the experience of navigating life abroad together.

Travel also became an important part of my study abroad experience. Through Arcadia Abroad, the program that coordinated my semester, I met students from universities across the United States who were also studying throughout Australia. Even though we attended different Australian universities, we quickly became close friends and often traveled together. One of the most unforgettable moments of my time abroad was a trip to New Zealand with a friend I met through Arcadia Abroad who was studying at the University of Sydney. During the trip, I bungee jumped in Taupō. Standing on the platform and looking down, I felt completely terrified, but jumping anyway reminded me why I chose to study abroad in the first place: to step outside my comfort zone and embrace new experiences.


After the semester ended, I traveled up the east coast of Australia, staying in hostels for the first time and meeting travelers from around the world along the way. During the trip, I also had the opportunity to scuba dive at the Great Barrier Reef, swimming alongside vibrant coral and marine life in a place I had only ever seen in documentaries. Planning travel logistics, navigating unfamiliar places, and embracing spontaneity no longer felt intimidating. Instead, it felt exciting — a clear reflection of how much I had grown in just a few months.

It didn’t take long for me to notice how much Australians value being outdoors, whether they were walking, running, sitting in parks, or simply enjoying nature right in the middle of the city. Wildlife also became part of everyday life, from spotting “bin chickens” wandering around campus to the turkey that lived in my backyard — whom I eventually named David — who was constantly building and rebuilding his nest. These often humorous moments reminded me to slow down and truly appreciate the small, everyday experiences that made the semester so meaningful.

As my time in Australia came to an end, I realized just how much I had changed. I arrived
feeling uncertain and slightly intimidated, and I left more confident, open-minded, and willing to pursue opportunities that once felt far outside my comfort zone. Studying abroad taught me that growth often happens when we step into unfamiliar environments and allow ourselves to adapt. This experience also reshaped how I think about my future. What I once saw as a temporary semester abroad became a turning point that expanded my goals beyond what I had originally planned. I now hope to return to Sydney after graduation on a work visa and continue building my career internationally. No matter where I go next, my time abroad has shaped the person I am becoming and has given me the confidence to pursue opportunities anywhere in the world.

 

 

 

Alana Firsty
Major: Business Administration (Marketing)
Minors: Honors / Nutrition
Fall 2025 — Sydney, Australia
Macquarie University | Arcadia Abroad