Submitted by Riley Hazel the 2024 Spring program in Sydney, Australia…
There are surprisingly few differences between Australia and the United States. It’s always hard to find these differences but they are there. For example, this week I was able to check out Coogee Beach, one of the main popular beaches in Sydney. Coming from Pennsylvania, where the closest beach would be Belmar or Wildwood of all places, the beaches in Sydney are amazing. The water is a pristine blue hue, and the beaches are naturally made with some shells here and there. Even then, nothing beats the views you get from the right and left of the main head of the beach. Compared to the United States, you might have a beach spreading out for miles. However, Bondi, Coogee, and Manly are normal-sized beaches with rocks and cliffs on either side. It’s insanely smaller than that of the US, but in my opinion, that’s what makes it better and unique. Not only that, but the beach culture is a lot more relaxed here too. There are busy times of the month to visit the beaches of Sydney, but even then everyone is just there to have a fun time in a peaceful environment. It’s vastly different from that of the United States, especially when the “boardwalk” isn’t a boardwalk we would see back at home. Overall, I’ve enjoyed my time here, and took in the beach appeal to the max! (Submitted on March 1, 2024)