Submitted by David Gougelmann on the 2026 Winter program in Australia…
The morning began with business casual attire for a company visit. At Salesforce Tower, I listened to Merlin Luck, Regional Vice President, share insights about corporate strategy and marketing. It was fascinating to see how global companies operate in Australia. After free time for an early lunch, I switched to casual attire for our afternoon activity at Walkabout Wildlife Park. Meeting the wildlife rangers, learning about conservation, and interacting with animals was a unique experience. The boomerang demonstration was especially fun. Returning to Sydney around 5:30PM, I felt both inspired and relaxed from such a full day. (Submitted January 26, 2026)
Submitted by Heaven Brown on the 2026 Winter program in Sydney, Australia…
With a delayed plane, a whole aisle row to myself, 3 movies, and airplane pancakes, a tumultuous journey traveling into the future was completed. I finally touched down, under.
Immediately, you notice how the air is different here, fresher with hints of the sea breeze. “Thongs” are the staple footwear, and no one goes anywhere without sunscreen. You’d expect only to hear the classic Aussie accent– the cooler younger sibling to its older British relative. Instead, your ears hear Mandarin, or Korean, a bit of French, some German, or maybe Italian – all languages of those touching down for a holiday or having returned home, to the diverse city of Sydney.
The city itself is beautiful, like an eco-friendly NYC. With light rail trains traveling next to cars (all on the left side of the road) to breathtaking peeks of the Tasman Sea. Sydney forces you to start your day early, which won’t be a problem battling jet lag, and make the most of the never-ending daylight. At the crack of dawn, people are already out running, getting groceries, or simply heading toward the coast, eager to be near the sea. You get inspired by how the city slows down around 7 pm, despite the tourists still searching for activities. The pace of life here forces you to wind down and find balance between productivity and rest.
My favorite activity to do in the city so far has been seeking out the references to the original keepers of this land. Like any and all colonies, Australia has an ugly history regarding its acquisition and treatment of the native peoples. The least the government can do is acknowledge whose land these great buildings stand upon. Across the city, in train stations, street names, or even the streets themselves, are call-outs that acknowledge the clans who rightfully own this land. These small acts force city visitors and inhabitants to remember whose land they are on and pay respect to them. The Sydney area specifically is on Gadigal country, of the Eora Nation.
I’m from New York, arguably home to one of the best cities in the world, at least in my opinion. Therefore, I’ll always use it as a comparison for the new places I travel. Sydney checks off quite a few boxes I have as an avid city lover. If you love a walkable city with nice public transport, cute cafes, free museums, diverse food, rich history, and ample amounts of nature, Sydney may be the spot for you! (Submitted January 22, 2026)
Submitted by David Gougelmann on the 2026 Winter program in Australia/New Zealand… This day felt more experiential and outdoors-focused. We met the GAV staff in the morning and took a ferry to Watson’s Bay, which quickly became one of the highlights of the Sydney portion of the trip. The ferry ride itself offered incredible views, and once there, the coastal walks and lookout points made it easy to forget we were still in a major city. Some people swam, others explored, and everyone moved at their own pace. It was a refreshing break from classrooms and schedules, and the evening remained free for independent exploration back in the city. (Submitted January 14, 2026)
Submitted by Kaylee Colombo on the 2026 Winter program in Sydney, Australia…
Before coming to Sydney, I expected to meet mostly people who were from the city and native to Australia. While I certainly have had the opportunity to meet people who were born and raised in Australia, I have also met many others from London, New Zealand, Ireland, China, India, and the Philippines. To be completely honest, I was very surprised by Sydney’s highly multicultural population and was even shocked to learn that nearly half of the city’s residents were born overseas. Through conversations with Uber drivers, meeting people at restaurants, and striking up conversations while waiting for coffee, I have been able to gain different perspectives on living in Sydney and moving to the city from another country. Because of the immigration of individuals from China and other South Asian countries, Sydney is known for its Asian-inspired foods. The city even has its vown Chinatown, which is filled with a variety of restaurants, cafés, and coffee shops offering delicious cuisine. One of my favorite experiences in Sydney has been getting the opportunity to explore Chinatown and walk through its Friday night market. This experience allowed me to try new foods, such as fried bananas, and I even bought my very first watch there! If I ever have the opportunity to visit Sydney again, one of the first places I will go will be the city’s Chinatown to enjoy more delicious Asian food. (Submitted January 17, 2026)
The best fried rice I’ve ever had from Spice Temple in Sydney.
Submitted by Kaylee Colombo on the 2026 Winter program in Sydney, Australia… Getting to explore a new area and travel by myself is something I had never really had the opportunity to do until I came to Sydney, Australia. Spending time across the globe has given me the chance to step outside of my comfort zone and discover new places and activities throughout the city. My newfound sense of freedom began with solo morning walks, visiting coffee shops, and trying new cafés, and it has since expanded to traveling across the city to explore new parks and historic landmarks. In fact, last night my roommates decided to go to a concert, which gave me the opportunity to venture out on my own. For the first time ever, I sat down at a restaurant by myself, enjoyed some delicious Asian cuisine, and explored a nearby park. Before I knew it, I found myself walking past the fountain in Hyde Park and taking photos of flowers with my digital camera. From there, I wandered through St. Mary’s Cathedral and made my way into the nearby Royal Botanic Gardens. For the next hour, I enjoyed the garden’s beautiful flora and fauna, snapping pictures of birds and taking in the peacefulness of the park. This exploration led me to a scenic viewpoint of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. While exploring a city or new area alone may seem intimidating, the new perspectives and experiences you can gain make it absolutely worth it. (Submitted January 17, 2026)
View of the Sydney Harbour from the Royal Botanical Gardens
Submitted by Kaylee Colombo on the 2026 Winter program in Sydney, Australia…
When I think of Australia, things like kangaroos, the outback, and the country’s beautiful beaches often come to mind. Because of this, I was incredibly surprised to learn how important coffee culture is in Australia and how much pride Australians take in making delicious coffee. In the United States, coffee chains such as Starbucks, Dunkin, and 7 Brew are highly normalized and are a part of everyday life. In Australia, however, large coffee chains are fairly uncommon, and small, locally owned coffee businesses take priority. In fact, I learned from our tour guide on our second day in Australia that although many Starbucks locations originally opened here, a large number of them have since closed due to citizens’ strong preference for local coffee. As someone who is used to indulging in these coffee chains, I can confidently say that the coffee here is some of the best I have ever had. Since arriving in Australia, one of my favorite activities has been walking around Sydney and visiting different coffee shops throughout the city. Nearly every street I turn onto has at least one coffee shop or café in sight, all of which appear busy and supported by a loyal customer base. Visiting these coffee shops has not only allowed me to experience local flavors, but has also given me the opportunity to meet new people and further immerse myself in Australian culture. (Submitted January 17, 2026)
Match-ya, coffee and matcha shop located in Sydney’s Chinatown
Submitted by Jael Xavier on the 2026 Winter program in Sydney, Australia…
I have been waiting for this experience for so long, and it has finally arrived! I just finished my first week here in Sydney, and I have so much to tell! First, we were picked up by our coordinator from the airport, where we then took a tour around the Opera house and some other local hot spots. After settling in to our VERY nice accommodation, we got comfortable and enjoyed some group bonding. This week, we have been introduced to our internship companies, gone shopping to various local markets and shopping centers, gone on the Coogee to Bondi hike, and explored a lot of other local attractions. The hike was amazing. The views were gorgeous, and the beach stops along the way were breathtaking. I’m so excited to dive deeper into work this week as we are just getting started! Our boss is nice enough to give us all samples of their products, crazy arms, to test out. The city is beautiful, and the people are so nice! I can’t wait to see what next week brings. (Submitted January 11 2026).
Submitted by Tori Binder on the 2025 Winter program in Australia…
We spent the last week of our Australia trip in the Barossa Valley and Adelaide! We got the chance to explore and enjoy tastings at some of the most famous wineries in the world, as well as explore the city of Adelaide and all that it has to offer. It was a wonderful last week to a great trip, and I’m glad I got to enjoy these activities with the new friends I’ve made! (Submitted January 30, 2025)
Wine Barrels at Pennfolds Winery outside of Adelaide
Submitted by Ariana Castiglione on the 2025 Winter program in Sydney, Australia…
We had the opportunity to go to the famous Walkabout Park Wildlife Sanctuary in Australia! I loved getting the opportunity to see and pet all the different animal! I still can’t believe I pet a kangaroo and koala! (Submitted on January 24, 2025)
Submitted by Ariana Castiglioneon the 2025 Winter program in Sydney, Australia…
We went on a walking tour of Watson’s Bay, which has some of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen! After the beautiful views we got to relax by the beach! (Submitted on January 24, 2025)
