Hi my name is Dylan and I am studying in Australia at the University of Sydney (USYD) for the fall semester of my junior. It’s been just over two months since I arrived in Sydney and I feel like I have taken complete advantage of this opportunity.
Something I wish I knew more about before coming to USYD was what the study and life balance was like, as I want to see as much of Australia as possible. It’s important to know before coming to USYD that every lecture has a mandatory tutorial, which is very similar to discussions at GWU. That being said lectures are not mandatory and are all recorded and posted on Canvas. While it is important to keep up with lectures, the flexibility gave me several opportunities to travel during my first two months.
Outside of Sydney I traveled to the Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Brisbane, and Uluru. Out of those my favorite was Byron Bay, which is also a popular spot with Australians. It’s a beautiful small surfing town. That being said you do not have to travel far out of Sydney to find things to do. In and around Sydney you can do tours of the Opera House, climb Harbour Bridge, do wine tastings in Hunter Valley, take a short ferry ride to Taronga Zoo, Manly Beach and Bondi, and hike around Royal National Park and the Blue Mountains, and so much more! By doing all of these activities I was able to make a good group of friends quickly. My closest friends are from all over the United States, Americans definitely gravitate towards each other while abroad. I have also become friends with several international students, including my German roommate.
For future USYD students I would definitely recommend planning activities around Sydney every weekend with the people you meet in your housing accommodation or through the Universities welcome week trips. So far it’s been an amazing time down under, and I can’t wait for more adventures!
Something I wish I knew more about before coming to USYD was what the study and life balance was like, as I want to see as much of Australia as possible. It’s important to know before coming to USYD that every lecture has a mandatory tutorial, which is very similar to discussions at GWU. That being said lectures are not mandatory and are all recorded and posted on Canvas. While it is important to keep up with lectures, the flexibility gave me several opportunities to travel during my first two months.
Outside of Sydney I traveled to the Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Brisbane, and Uluru. Out of those my favorite was Byron Bay, which is also a popular spot with Australians. It’s a beautiful small surfing town. That being said you do not have to travel far out of Sydney to find things to do. In and around Sydney you can do tours of the Opera House, climb Harbour Bridge, do wine tastings in Hunter Valley, take a short ferry ride to Taronga Zoo, Manly Beach and Bondi, and hike around Royal National Park and the Blue Mountains, and so much more! By doing all of these activities I was able to make a good group of friends quickly. My closest friends are from all over the United States, Americans definitely gravitate towards each other while abroad. I have also become friends with several international students, including my German roommate.
For future USYD students I would definitely recommend planning activities around Sydney every weekend with the people you meet in your housing accommodation or through the Universities welcome week trips. So far it’s been an amazing time down under, and I can’t wait for more adventures!
Dylan Delaney
Fall 2024
GW Exchange - University of Sydney
Elliott School of International Affairs
International Affairs Major