An important aspect of my time abroad that I always tell people is the way that the semester helped me become more independent. Living outside the bubble of my college campus in a global city encouraged me to become more independent and to embrace the feeling of adventure. I learned to step outside of my comfort zone by talking to new people, trying new things, taking risks, and embracing the unknown!

HOW DID YOU ENGAGE WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WHILE ABROAD?
While abroad, I made a personal goal for myself to walk to a new neighborhood everyday to visit a new park, coffeeshop, or exhibit. This helped me get my steps in while also allowing me to immerse myself in Sydney. I was surprised how open people were to talking to me on these daily walks, and I met a wide variety of people across the Sydney. I met people ranging from other students studying abroad, local university students, store owners, and more. Speaking to these people across a variety of different neighborhoods and environments helped me to more personally engage with Sydney!