Submitted by Michael Davis on the 2020 spring semester study abroad program in Sydney, Australia sponsored by the Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition…
I have not been to many cities in my life. However, living on the east coast, I have been to New York City. I must say, I was not a big fan of that city. So, when I realized I would be living in Sydney, Australia for two months and taking the bus for an hour to work every day, I was a little worried. I figured that I would be constantly stressed and overwhelmed.
After one week in the city, however, I could not have been more wrong. It was naive of me to think that you could compare two cities in two different countries. Even though Sydney is a city with a lot of businesses, the busiest day in this city is probably a slow day in NYC. The pace is a lot slower and more laid back. You don’t feel the need to walk fast or take the risk of being trampled by others. The flow of vehicle traffic and pedestrian traffic is smooth and follows nearly every law. Meanwhile, people cross the street in NYC even when there is oncoming traffic. In Sydney, cars give way for buses and other forms of public transport, and cars aren’t trying to push their way through others.
On the topic of public transport, I have never used any public transport. I have never stepped foot on a public bus or the university buses. Yet, I was able to feel comfortable taking an hour bus ride to my internship without getting lost. Everything is intuitive and made convenient.
Sydney, so far, has been a wonderful experience. The lax nature of the city allows you to really enjoy the city and notice little details that you wouldn’t in a city such as NYC. I was hesitant to arrive here, but now I might be hesitant to return home after experiencing this wonderful city!