Studying abroad is loads of fun, but at the end of the day we are here to study. It is important to prioritize schoolwork in order to also enjoy the beauty of your host country. Finding the balance between your studies and exploring your host country is essential while studying abroad. However, it is possible to still explore the culture of your host country even while studying or doing homework. 

The CEA CAPA classroom where I have my Australian History and Advertising courses. 

I am currently studying Communication at the University of Delaware and am continuing that academic experience abroad in Australia. One of the classes I am taking is called Intercultural Communication, where we learn about a diverse range of cultures and how that shapes our experiences. As part of this course, one week we took a trip to Sydney’s Chinatown which is just a five-minute walk from our classroom building in the city. We learned about Chinese culture and the celebrations around Lunar New Year which is huge in China and in Sydney’s Chinatown. There are fireworks on the weekends and Asian restaurants are flooded with people experiencing all the tasty food Chinese culture has to offer. My friends and I saw the dragon parade since 2024 is the Year of the Dragon. There were hundreds of people, including tourists and locals, all viewing the parade; it was a neat experience that so many people of different cultures came together to watch this sacred event in Chinese culture. 

Sydney’s Chinatown. 

I am also taking Australian Cinema, Australian History, and Australian Sports to engage myself in my host culture and learn more about where I am living. I have already gained a lot of insight into these topics in Australian culture which has been interesting to me since I have never learned about these subjects before in my academic career.  

In my Australian History course, we had a field class at the Hyde Park Barracks which was the first place where convicts lived in Australia. We got inside of the building and saw the hammocks where the convicts slept. We also learned about Aboriginal history and the complicated and traumatic relationship Aboriginals and Australians have, much like Native Americans in the United States. However, in Australia much more work has been done to heal the relationship between the Aboriginal people such as parks and memorials that have been erected, and public apologies by the government. Much more work is still needed to be done for this, but I think Australia is on the right track to healing the relationship with the Aboriginals.  

In my cinema class, we have an upcoming trip to view one of our professor’s films, which he helped produce during Mardi Gras. In my sports class, we have upcoming field classes to watch an AFL match. 

I have also explored the libraries of Sydney so far in my time abroad. I love libraries as they are peaceful to me and motivate me to be more productive. I visited the University of Sydney’s library, the Darling Square Library, and the UTS Library. So far my favorite has been the UTS Library, which is just a short five-minute walk from where I live in Sydney. This is the university my CEA CAPA program is partnered with as well.  

The State Library of New South Wales. 

The UTS Library. 

I visited this library just a few days ago on a rainy day to get some work done for my cinema class. The main lobby was massive. There was a huge, long screen showing women surfing to the left and you could see all the different levels right from the lobby. There was a large food court area on the lower level which had all different kinds of food; from Greek to Asian to Italian, the UTS library had it all. I ventured up the stairs and explored each floor. There are a total of nine floors in this library, with each level getting quieter as you go up.  

A selfie of me during a study break at the UTS Library. 

The design of the building was unlike any library I had ever seen before. There were little coves where you could take a nap with pillows and blankets. There was a spiral staircase that curves as you walk up. There was a rooftop garden where you could also do work and overlook the city. There were bookshelves in the middle of the floor, with tables and chairs hugging the walls on the edge of the level. However, these walls were not just any old wall. They were windows: long, transparent windows that cover the full wall from top to bottom, overlooking Sydney.  

Photo from the UTS Library rooftop garden overlooking the campus and city. 

Spiral staircase in the UTS Library. 

I chose a spot overlooking Pitt Street which runs alongside the building. It was beautiful and peaceful with the rain pattering on the windowpane as I did my work. I will definitely be going back to this library. The design is unique, futuristic, and advanced with windows panes making up the walls of the building, rooftop gardens, and napping coves. I think the library is a perfect representation of the technological advancements and sustainable designs of Australian architecture, as UTS has a focus on technology. 

My workspace overlooking Pitt Street at the UTS Library. 

The UTS Business School. 

If I would like a more informal place to study, I go to the courtyard in my apartment building complex. There is a nice green space and lovely lounge chairs that are so comfortable. There’s always a nice breeze that passes through the buildings that makes it a very peaceful place to do some schoolwork. It’s nice that I have another option to do my work instead of the library, in case I would like a different environment to study. I also enjoy being outside, especially as it is summertime in Australia, so it’s pleasant to do work outside when I can. 

A selfie of me in the courtyard at my apartment complex where I like to study. 

I am loving my academic experience abroad so far. I am experiencing new places and learning more about Australian culture and society. I cannot wait to head back to the UTS library and continue to explore new libraries and places to study throughout the city of Sydney.