Hi Everyone!
As I approach the halfway mark for my exchange at the University of Sydney, I continue to enjoy everything Sydney has to offer while studying for midterms. I’ll break down my USYD exchange so far into academic and non-academic experiences.
Academic:
USYD classes differ from GWU classes in a few ways. Classes are called units of study, and usually consist of 1-2 lectures a week with a tutorial. In my experience, the lectures are about an hour long and the tutorials are around 2 hours long. However, this depends on the subjects you are studying (my classes are mainly psychology/neuroscience courses). Lectures are where the majority of content is covered, and are recorded so you can rewatch if you need to. Tutorials vary between classes, but most seem to be discussion-based or labs that expand on lecture material. Additionally, there aren’t many actual assignments. I haven’t had any homework, but I do have two to three large assignments per class along with a final exam. Despite not having homework, class content is pretty dense and the projects are tough so it is important to keep up with lectures and attend tutorials since those aren’t recorded. As long as you stay up to date with lectures, you should have plenty of time to explore Sydney and have lots of fun with new friends!
Non-Academic:
The seasons are opposite to those in the U.S., so we are currently approaching summer. My weekends consist mainly of going to the beach with friends and exploring Sydney and the surrounding areas. The USYD campus is gorgeous and has lots of outdoor study spaces to enjoy spring/summer weather. The city itself is divided into multiple different neighborhoods that are accessible through bus, tram, and train lines. Sydney is a great city for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. The Blue Mountains have lots of hiking trails and are accessible via train, and there are lots of great beaches for swimming, surfing, etc. So far, my favorite beaches are Manly, Coogee, and Maroubra! Coffee is a large part of Sydney’s culture, so there are tons of cafes you can try in each neighborhood.
Aside from the outdoors, Sydney has a lot to offer in terms of free or budget-friendly activities. My favorite thing so far has been the Powerhouse Museum, which is a large art museum in Ultimo, NSW with modern art exhibits that is free to the public. It is easy to spend hours in the Powerhouse Museum and is in a great location that has lots of cute shops and restaurants to grab a bite at afterwards as it's near Chinatown.
Hope this helps anyone looking into Australia or USYD for their study abroad!
Anna Goyette
Fall 2023
GW Exchange - University of Sydney
Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Criminal Justice and Psychological & Brain Sciences Major