Category: Asia

Submitted by a student on the 2020 winter session program in Australia and Thailand sponsored by the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics…

This week we arrived in Sydney, the place I’ve always wanted to visit. It’s so beautiful here and we got to do so many cool things. I climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge and saw the amazing view of all of Sydney from up top. It was really cool to do some of my own exploring here, too. I visited the harbor a lot for cute places to eat and I went to a pretty friendship garden. I really like Sydney so far and I can totally picture myself wanting to live here.

Submitted by Elizabeth Dallara on the 2020 winter session program in Australia and Thailand sponsored by the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics…

In Sydney, Australia, my study abroad group climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge. This was a strenuous experience, however, it was well worth the effort. We started the bridge climb during sunset and got an amazing view of the sky. As we traveled upwards along the bridge, the sun descended, and the city lights sparkled all around us. We were able to see the Sydney Opera House, skyscrapers, and the surrounding harbor. At the summit, we were at 134 meters above sea level. It was amazing to be this high up and get a 360-degree view of the whole city. Additionally, it was a good bonding experience to be with my classmates and to be able to cheer each other on as we climbed to the top. I was happy to be able to climb the bridge and conquer my nerves.

 

Submitted by a student on the 2020 winter session program in Australia and Thailand sponsored by the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics…

As my program comes to an end, I am sad to leave. I made once in a lifetime memories here and I will never forget them. The highlight of my week was getting to pet kangaroos and a koala. It was so cool getting to experience all parts of Australia, including the wildlife. I also went to the beaches a lot, which were beautiful and full of life. We went to the most famous beach, Bondi, and explored other smaller beaches that weren’t as touristy. I can definitely say I will be back in Australia one day and I can’t wait for it!

Submitted by a student on the 2020 winter session program in Australia and Thailand sponsored by the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics…

This week, we arrived in Chiang Mai. It’s completely different from Bangkok and was more of a culture shock to me, but I liked it. I finally felt like I was really abroad and in a foreign place. Here, we visited an elephant sanctuary and it was such a cool experience. I got to play with and feed the elephants, which were really cute. The city is also filled with cute markets and shops and was much more peaceful than Bangkok. Overall, it was nice for things to slow down and not be in a busy city anymore.

 

Submitted by Cassidy Pieper on the 2020 winter session program in Australia and Thailand sponsored by the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics…

This week, we traveled to Sydney, Australia, the final city of our time abroad. We started our week filled with fun adventures on Monday. We toured the Sydney Opera House. We learned about all of the architectural pieces, the history of how the design was chosen, and the challenges that were faced when building the iconic building. Later that evening, we did the Sydney Harbor Bridge climb. This was my favorite cultural excursion of the week! It was the most enjoyable for me because it was both mentally challenging as well as an adrenaline rush. I would have never done that on my own, but it was beneficial for me to get out of my comfort zone and try something new. Our tour guide, Catie, taught us the history and facts about the bridge and how difficult it was to make. It was also a bonding experience for my small group of eleven who climbed together. Some of us were more comfortable than others during the climb and each of us supporting one another was a special moment for me. A couple of days later, we explored a wildlife park where we learned more about the history of the Aboriginal people. We were able to see actual artifacts in caves and paintings on cement form by them. At the park, we also were able to hang out with animals such as pythons, kangaroos, and koalas.

Throughout the week, we also went on multiple company visits. My favorite of the week was a presentation from Merlin Luck, the Vice President at Salesforce. He not only told us about how Salesforce continues innovating and how they became a pioneer in the industry, but he also gave us career advice and told us how to become successful. The personal messages he gave really resonated with me and I will remember them as I choose my path after college.

 

Submitted by Erin Malley on the 2020 winter session program in Australia and Thailand sponsored by the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics…

This past week, our group embarked on the 9-hour flight from Thailand to Sydney, Australia. When we first landed at the airport, it was raining in Sydney, a good sign for the bush fires that are still blazing across the country. The rain, and the minor jet-lag, didn’t stop us from exploring the city, though! On our first day, we walked to an area called Darling Harbor where there were shops and restaurants on the water. I could immediately pick up on the differences between Sydney and large cities in the United States. For one, it was much cleaner, and I noticed Australians put much more effort into being environmentally conscious. Throughout the week, we went on many excursions like climbing to the top of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and visiting a wildlife park where we got to interact with native animals like kangaroos and koalas. We also have had the chance to visit many of the famous beaches throughout Sydney like Bondi and Coogee, that have some of the most beautiful cliffs and blue water I’ve ever seen! It’s been such an incredible experience to visit a country on the other side of the world and see how life can be so different, but also similar to everyday life in the United States. With only one week left on the program, I’m excited to see more of Australia and what else this country has to offer!

Submitted by a student on the 2020 winter session program in Australia and Thailand sponsored by the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics…

As my study abroad program is coming to a close, I’d like to reflect on the last few things I was able to experience during my last week here in Sydney, Australia. I was finally able to visit two different beaches, Bondi and Manly, and watch the sunset. Both beaches had a different aesthetic, Bondi being more touristy and Manly being a local beach. I was also lucky enough to have visited an animal sanctuary called Walkabout Wildlife Park where we were able to see and learn about different animals such as kangaroos, koalas, dingoes, etc., and learn about the history of the Aboriginal people. The last and final highlight I experienced was seeing the Sydney Opera House and the Harbor Bridge. Both are significant landmarks in the center of Sydney. They both were built upon a rich history and continue to share an inspiring story. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The people I met and the friends I made are things I will look back on and cherish forever. I would highly recommend this program to others and would encourage them to share their stories and experiences as well.

Submitted by a student on the 2020 winter session program in Australia and Thailand sponsored by the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics…

I have been in Sydney for a little over a week and have loved it. It has been a very different experience than Thailand was and I am happy I got to see two different ways of life. We have gotten to immerse ourselves in the culture here and see many different places. One of my highlights of the program so far is the Sydney Bridge Climb. Although I am very afraid of heights, I successfully completed the climb and was very happy I did. We also got to visit a walk about park where we saw animals such as kangaroos, wallabies, and a koala. It was sad, but informative to hear about how the devastating wildfires impacted the environment of these animals. I have a few days left in Sydney before heading to Cairns and I am looking forward to what else this beautiful country has to show me.

Submitted by a student on the 2020 winter session program in Australia and Thailand sponsored by the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics…

We finally departed Thailand and have arrived in Sydney, Australia. The first weekend upon our arrival, we had the freedom to explore this beautiful city. Personally, I felt that Sydney was very similar to New York City except not as dirty or crowded. The people were friendly and always seemed relaxed, never in a rush. I liked that about Sydney and knew I would enjoy my time here. With my free time, I decided to check out a few local restaurants and coffee shops as well as some significant landmarks. I used public transportation for the first time to move around the city where I saw the beautiful St. Mary’s Cathedral as well as the Botanical Gardens. My favorite landmark so far was Darling Harbor. Darling Harbor is basically a harbor in the center of Sydney where they have various restaurants, bars, shops, and hold frequent events. I have one more week here in Sydney and plan to see the pretty beaches, blue mountains, and maybe catch a sunset as well.