I went to Sydney, Australia for study abroad from Feb. to Dec. in 2023. Before I start to write my experience, I want you to know what Sydney is like. Sydney, Australia's largest city, is a multicultural metropolis that blends urban sophistication with natural beauty. It has a mild climate, diverse cuisine, and a vibrant arts scene. With renowned beaches like Bondi and Manly, Sydney is a captivating destination where modernity and tradition converge seamlessly. As I describe, therefore, I personally recommend Sydney for study abroad in terms of convenience and opportunities for cultural immersion.

Study

For the first semester, I attended a college organized by Western Sydney University, primarily functioning as a language school. Most students enrolled there to prepare for entry into actual university programs, where we focused on learning academic English, covering writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills for the second semester. Students were grouped into classes based on their English proficiency levels, which made me feel comfortable actively participating in classes without any sense of inferiority. The classes included students from diverse nationalities, such as Vietnamese, Colombian, Indonesian, Chinese, Saudi, and more, with a predominant representation from Asian countries. Classes took place from Monday to Friday, concluding shortly before 2 p.m., allowing me to frequently spend time with my friends after school.
For the second semester, I attended Western Sydney University with local and international students. I could choose 3 subjects in my program, so I chose subjects related in tourism, cultural differences, and psychology that I am interested in. Compared to the first semester, it was many times harder than I had imagined. Preparation and review for ever classes were essential. Preparation, before every class, there were more than 2 or 3 article and 1-2 hours on-demand video for each class that I had to do understand. If I neglected them, I could not keep up with the class and could not actively participate. In the class, I sometimes did some discussions and small presentations with group. The study at WSU with students who are at a much higher level of English was not easy at all; I would say it directly improved my English proficiency.

Student Accommodation

I lived in student accommodation for the entire semester. While I had experienced a homestay program before, I preferred living in student accommodation with multicultural people for several reasons. First of all, I could easily make friends in the student accommodation. In the dorm, there were numerous events, parties, and community activities, so I tried to attend as many of these as much as I could. Moreover, luckily, I made the closest friend who worked as a resident assistant, so I sometimes helped her run events. Every night, I visited different rooms, walked around the dorm, or chatted with friends. These are lovely memories that will never be forgotten!

Part-time Job

I worked at Starbucks from the beginning of May. This also created lovely and unforgettable memories in Sydney. However, the path to securing this job wasn't without its challenges. After COVID was terminated, it became harder to get a job because of the increase in the number of people coming on a working holiday. The struggle to find a job was real, and I encountered moments of uncertainty during the nearly two-month-long search. However, this period of adversity became a lesson in resilience and perseverance. I used to work at Starbucks in Japan, so the transition to Starbucks in Sydney felt like a continuation, and the work was not so difficult. Initially, I had a very hard time communicating with my colleagues and customers, but by the time I left Sydney, I could interact with people easily and even engage in small talk. After all, the best part was that I could create a new community in the workplace. The best memory is a trip to Melbourne with my coworker!

Study abroad has not only broadened my academic horizons but has also definitely connected to my personal growth. I am always missing my lovely people and memories in Sydney. I have been keeping touch with them：）