Courtney Lucier, Pitt in Sydney Summer 2023
Before studying abroad in Sydney, I thought of Australian food as “meat pies” and “vegemite.” And while I did get to try these famous classic “Aussie” foods, I learned that Australian cuisine encompasses much more, and similar to the United States, Australia is a country with cuisine coming from all around the world! My two favorite places to eat routinely was North Indian Cuisine on George Street (which gave me the largest vegetable samosas I have ever eaten!) and Miso Japanese in the World Square (I just couldn’t help coming back for their chicken katsu bento!) For dessert I tried something new – mango toast and ice cream from the Mango Coco Thai Dessert cafe in Sydney; and I also dined on some gnocchi and Nutella pizza at the amazing Macchiato, an Italian grill that serves some incredible pasta and wood-fire pizza.
My most daring food challenge was the kangaroo skewers I ate at a barbeque in the Rocks Markets – after feeding the adorable creatures a few days prior, it was difficult to stomach eating one! However, because of the practicality of budgeting most days I wasn’t out eating kangaroo steak, but rather schnitzel sandwiches and falafel wraps from the many cafes that are on every Sydney street corner. Sydney as a city was very inclusive for dietary restrictions, and I was able to find dairy-free smoothies and other drinks without too much of a hassle. Although I did find myself eating out more than I did back home, I did try to decrease my spending by buying at the local Sydney grocery stores – with their abundance of fruit, bread, vegetables, and meats.
When I inevitably became homesick (as when traveling abroad, you will become homesick at some point during your trip) my friends and I would cook home favorites like tacos and spaghetti, and I would find myself at the American-themed Brooklyn Bridge deli for a simple bagel with cream cheese. Although it is important to try new foods and cuisines while traveling abroad, it is also important to find the foods that remind you of home and the family that is waiting upon your return.
Overall, I’m really glad I had the opportunity to travel to Sydney, as it felt like I was not only traveling to Australia, but the whole world, due to Sydney’s diverse population and cuisine options. Living in Sydney has inspired me to try different cuisines while in Pittsburgh, as there are many restaurants in the Pittsburgh area I have not yet tried since prior to me studying abroad they were not in my “comfort zone.” And although it might only have been a few days since I returned from Australia, I already miss my Tim-Tams and caramel koalas. Now that I’m back in the United States, I’ll have to settle on Hershey kisses and M&Ms.
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