Submitted by Evan Coy on the 2024 Winter BUAD program in Sydney …
When I arrived in Sydney, Australia, I was immediately stunned by the city’s vibrant energy and beautiful natural beauty. After a long 16 flight to Sydney, I had to resist the urge to take a mid-day nap and catch up on some much-needed sleep to avoid jet lag. I decided to visit the iconic Sydney Opera House, known for its stunning architecture and picturesque setting along the harbor. The Opera House perfectly captures the city’s creativity and symbolizes the city’s artistic spirit. When walking through the streets it is very easy to become mesmerized by the diverse blend of modern towers and historic buildings which reflects on Sydney’s rich western roots. Sydney also has an abundance of parks and gardens. The Royal Botanic Garden that leads directly to the Opera House was stunning. I found an abundance of beautiful Australian native flora that I had never even known existed! The following day our group had the chance to visit Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary, located just outside of Sydney. The sanctuary was home to many native Australian animals that I had always dreamed of seeing. My favorites had to have been the Tasmanian Devils and Arnold the Koala! After completing the tour of the Sanctuary our guide gave us a brief history of the park. I was truly amazed at the amount of hard work, time, and effort that not only the owners put into the park but also local Aussies who continue to financially support and care for the animals. Our guide mentioned that during COVID the park was on the verge of bankruptcy, it was struggling to pay its employees because people were not allowed to visit the park! Nevertheless, local Aussies came together and decided they would volunteer to work at Walkabout in the park for over a year so that it could stay operational. The story was very inspirational and shed light on the people who care for the environment and wildlife throughout Australia. Overall, the first week in Australia has been nothing short of amazing. I am truly grateful to be able to experience something so incredible and eye-opening. I am incredibly excited to see what Australia has to offer in the following weeks! (Submitted on January 29, 2024)