Finding a Community of Faith While Studying Abroad in Sydney, Australia
My faith has always been essential to my identity. I grew up going to Bible camps and became a missionary for four months in 2023. So, when I decided to study abroad for the semester, I knew I wanted to find a community where I could express and practice my religion without worrying about what people would think or say. I did not want to put my faith on the back burner just because I was in a new country, and I knew finding a community of people would be a must for me!
If you feel like I did, don’t worry! It’s normal; to help ease your nerves about finding a community while studying abroad in Sydney, Australia, I put together five easy tips and tricks that have helped me stay true to my identity.
Find a local church or community.
Finding a local church or community where you can practice your religion freely is essential to feeling like you belong in this new country. I recommend a quick Google search before leaving for your study abroad experience to ensure you have a place to meet and worship. Another way to find a local church is to ask some of the CEA CAPA advisors if they know any places or might be able to connect you to someone who knows about the local communities.
TIP: Try to stick to one church for the extent of your study abroad program. Staying consistent with one parish helps build a community. If you ever decide to revisit your study abroad location, there will be people to recognize and remember you.
Central Baptist Church.
Join a local group.
I highly recommend finding a local group; this might be a local young adult group, Bible study, a praise and worship group, or fellowship time. For me, this was signing up for my new parish's weekly newsletter to know what was happening with this new community. This helps me enormously. Through this newsletter, I could start attending different opportunities and events that this church was holding, specifically a Thursday night group! This community allows me to feel like I belong, have frequent fellowship, deepen my relationship with the Lord, and meet new locals I would have otherwise not met.
The nearest Catholic church to my study abroad accommodation.
Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.
Being in a new city can be confusing and overwhelming, but it can also be exhilarating and life-altering. Finding a community abroad might require you to go outside your comfort zone. It sure was for me; I was scared to explore this global city alone, but in the end, it was so rewarding. So, when you are nervous or worried, remember these three R’s:
Recenter: Take a minute, whether that's going to the bathroom for a break, taking three deep breaths, or having a conversation with someone with whom you are comfortable. Find a way to calm your mind.
Remember: Remind yourself how far you have come. You are in a different country and can do this!
Respond: GO! Now is the time to act; talk to the pastor or church leader and put yourself out there. Especially here in Sydney, people are so friendly and willing to strike up a conversation at any point!
Hillsong campus service at 11am.
Look within your study abroad group for people who have similar values.
One of the most comforting moments of my first week abroad was realizing one of the students I had become friends with here was also passionate about their faith! Little did I know that this hidden gem of a person was in the same program I was! Being open and talking about my faith allowed me to find people with whom I closely related and allowed us to open up and talk about topics we might not share with everyone. If it's an appropriate time and comes up, I recommend discussing your faith and religion with those within your program; you might be surprised at who you end up meeting!
St. Mary’s Cathedral, a famous Catholic cathedral in Australia.
A group of friends walking to service together.
Learn more about other religions.
One of my favorite parts of studying abroad was learning about other religions. Through simple conversations with my peers, I expanded my religious outlook and became more knowledgeable and accepting of other faiths. I even made a day trip to visit different communities and talk with the community members to learn more about different religions. I went and talked to a Baptist pastor, attended several Evangelical services, and talked with friends who were Jewish, Muslim, Protestant, Catholic, and Baptist. I highly valued learning more about their religions on a personal level!
Finding a community abroad does not have to be hard! In Sydney, I was surprised by how open and willing the communities were to talk! With the ability to stay true to my identity and be free to practice my religion, I felt like I really belong here, and you can, too!
Until next time,
Marie