Hi, my name is Sam, and I am going to share with you how my study abroad experience in Sydney, Australia is going.  

To truly walk you through my journey, I must first start at the beginning. The plane ride was challenging because of the distance and the duration. I flew from JFK International Airport directly to Sydney, with a two-hour layover in New Zealand so the plane could refuel. The flight was 36 hours including the time zone difference, but it was about 24 hours of being in the air; I celebrated New Year’s Day on the plane. As we got closer to landing, seeing the city lights brighten up the city, I officially knew my journey was about to begin.  

The nightlife of Sydney looks like it is daytime from the plane. 

Once I landed in Sydney, CEA CAPA welcomed us and a member of the organization gave us a walking tour of the city. After the extensive tour, CEA CAPA treated us to lunch. As my first official meal in Sydney, I got a Wagyu burger, made from a type of beef that comes from a Japanese cattle breed. 

I changed my mind; the best part of my time abroad was the Wagyu burger I ate with CEA CAPA when I arrived.   

After adjusting to Sydney life for a couple of days, we took a trip to the Sydney Tower Eye, organized by CEA CAPA. The Sydney Tower, also known as Centre Point Tower, is the tallest structure in the city and is the Southern Hemisphere’s second-tallest observation tower. We were so high I thought I could see my house from there (I’m just kidding!).  

At the Sydney Tower Eye; I think I can see my house from here. 

After taking a view from the tallest tourist attraction in the city, next we got down and personal with the wildlife. Days later CEA CAPA organized a trip to the Featherdale Wildlife Park. During this experience, I got hands-on engagement with Australian native animals, such as wallabies, koalas, and the famous kangaroos. Would you believe it if I said our homework assignment was to feed kangaroos? Well, it was, kind of; it was to write about our experience feeding them and how it engaged with one aspect of wellness.  

Koalas may look scary and intimidating, but I can assure you, they are adorable up close.  

Hopping into the trip with some kangaroo snacks. I shall name him Jack.   

After making some new friends in Featherdale Park CEA CAPA organized a trip to a must-see spot during my time in Sydney; we went to the Blue Mountains. They are not actually blue (I know! I was disappointed too). While at the Blue Mountains, I learned a little bit of mythological fiction as to the creation of the landmark Three Sisters and how they got that name. I also saw waterfalls the size of the Grand Canyon.  

The Blue Mountains are like our Grand Canyon but with constant waterfalls surrounded by wildlife and a rainforest.   

The Three Sisters is a sight to behold, even without knowing the story behind it. 

One thing that has stood out for me so far was CEA CAPA’s engaging way of teaching students educational material. As one example my peers and I went to the famous New South Wales Rugby Stadium and while sitting in their locker room were given a motivational and educational pep talk by their mental health coordinator Paul Langmack. Paul is a former rugby league player for the New South Wales team and was awarded a place in history for being the youngest rugby player to play 100 games (at 22 years old), along with winning his team three championships in the process. During this guest lecture, we learned about the difference between motivation and discipline and the distinction between being born with talent and having a strong work ethic.  

Paul Langmack, a former New South Wales rugby team member. 

However, despite the food, awesome experiences, and hands-on activities, there is one aspect of this trip that stands alone as the best part: the social aspect of making new friends. For me, being in a place where I knew no one and going on this trip alone was intimidating. I quickly learned everyone else in my group felt the same way and after a couple of days of awkward small talk and ice breakers, we were inseparable. I can wholeheartedly say, I created a second family on the other side of the world. These memories and the people I did it with, these once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and these one-of-a-kind people created moments that will always have a place in my heart.  

You do not get to pick your family. I never would have expected that at one point, I would meet my second family on the other side of the world. 

To end it with a bang, figuratively and literally, I show you a picture of fireworks. Every Saturday Sydney sets off a firework show at 9pm sharp in Darling Harbour. Fun fact: depending on what floor within our building we were on, we could see the fireworks from out the windows. Every Saturday since I have been here I have gone to watch and every Saturday I am entertained and smiling with friends.  

Attending the Sydney weekly fireworks by the harbor was a great way to engage with the culture.