Happy Australia Day!

Submitted by Rachel Calkins on the 2018 winter session program in Australia and Thailand sponsored by the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics…

It is official that everyone on the program is in love with Sydney, Australia. The big city is beautiful with big modern buildings, delicious food and amazing landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Bridge. Touring the opera house was incredible-the details that went into its creation are fascinating. The structure was designed by the architect Jorn Utzon. Within the opera house there are multiple theaters, both large and small. The opera house holds a variety of shows for musicians and actors coming from all over. The most famous and successful artists of their genre play in the opera house. It was incredible to tour a place of such rich cultural significance.

On this past Friday, January 26th, Australia celebrated Australia Day. Like the 4th of July in the United States, Australia celebrates its love, pride, and founding of the country. A group of friends and I took a train to the Circular Quay to watch a fireworks show. The Australia Day special showed musical performances on big television screens accompanied by bright lights and beautiful boats floating through the harbor. The finale fireworks show was one of the best displays I have ever seen, followed by a crowd singing the Australian Anthem with pride. It was an awesome day to be in Sydney to celebrate the pride of the country that I am in. Happy Australia Day!