Courtney Lucier, Pitt in Sydney Summer 2023
First of all, make sure to pack lightly! You will definitely want to bring home souvenirs. On your first day in your study abroad program, you will definitely feel jet lagged and tired – try not to relax or sleep until the local evening time. You want to remain as active as possible, to decrease the effects of jet lag and to make the most of your trip meeting new people, exploring a new city or country, and trying new cuisines and learning about a new culture. Even if you are on a low budget, try to go on as many excursions as possible! Some study abroad programs have free excursions – for example CAPA provided me with free trips to the Blue Mountains, a harbor cruise around the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, and a “glamping” experience at the Taronga Zoo. You can also find free or cheap excursions; for example, museums are usually free entry, as well as beaches, gardens, and parks.
There will be a lot of restaurants and markets so make sure you budget wisely and leave some wiggle room in your budget for events you really want to do – for example, during week one I left money in my budget so I can go whale watching by the end of my trip. Be adventurous, try new things, and step out of your comfort zone. Some days I would just hop on the light rail and explore wherever I wound up! Always feel free to ask questions and communicate with your program advisors; they will help you through emergencies regarding health and safety, but also the smaller and less important things – for example when I emailed for a yoga mat and my program advisor got back to me in less than an hour!
The advisors are there to help you, and no question is a dumb question. The students on your program, too, are going through a similar experience as you – stepping into a new culture and trying to figure out classes and internships and how to navigate the city. Reach out to them, support each other, and build new and lasting friendships. Don’t forget to talk to the locals, too, as they know a lot about their home country and are often friendly and welcoming enough to help you out. So, try not to stress; this is going to be an amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity! Make sure to have fun and take lots of photos!
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