| Major(s) | Anthropology and Media Studies (minor) |
| Hobbies | Photography & drones, spin, cheese boards, & travel |
| Hometown | Chester Springs, Pennsylvania |
| Program/Study Site | Boston University: Sydney Internship Program |
Why study abroad?
I chose to study abroad to get a change of scenery throughout my college experience. Now that I’ve returned to campus, I think study abroad really helped me to push myself out of my comfort zone more frequently and quickly adapt to new situations.
Why did you choose Australia?
After visiting Sydney in 2016, I fell in love with the city and knew I wanted to spend my study abroad experience there. I was intrigued by the BU Sydney Internship program as I could take classes towards my major and minor, and complete an internship in an international city. I am so happy that I studied abroad in Sydney and can’t wait to return someday.
What courses did you enroll in while abroad?
- Australian Culture & Society
- Mass Media of Australia, Internship in Marketing
- The Australian Wine Industry
What was your living situation?
I lived in a suite with three other suitemates. We all had our own bedroom, and shared a living room, kitchen, and bathroom. The suites were located in the same building as our classrooms. Everyone in the program lives in the same building.
What did you do for fun?
Sydney is full of fun activities! I went to the Randwick Races, saw a professional rugby game, visited beaches across the city, went for hikes and walks along the Sydney Harbor, and watched movies at the outdoor cinema with views of the Sydney skyline. Outside of Sydney, I took day trips to the Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains, Wollongong, and Port Stephens. Many major Australian cities and sites are only an hour or so flight from Sydney so I was able to travel to many places inlcuding including Melbourne, Cairns, Uluru, the Gold Coast, and Byron Bay.
Highlights of the program:
My internship was one of my favorite parts of my study abroad experience since it allowed me to meet local Australians and learn more about the culture. The program staff were also very helpful and supportive, and provided advice on what to do in Sydney, where to travel, and how to handle sometimes challenging situations while abroad.
The most challenging aspects of your experience:
Since no one else from the 5Cs participated in my program, I really had to push myself out of my comfort zone to make new friends. It was also difficult to make friends with locals, since I took classes and lived with Americans. Interning in Sydney was a great way to meet locals, but I still wish there were more opportunities to do so.
Final comments or suggestions for future participants:
If you are looking to study abroad in Australia, I highly recommend this program. It is extremely well run, the classes are super interesting, and the internship is a very valuable experience. Sydney is honestly my favorite city and is such a fun place to spend time. You have access to some of the best beaches in the world, amazing cuisine, a lively entertainment scene, and the most beautiful harbor.
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