Hi! My name is Nicole Solich and I am doing my Fall semester of Junior year at the University of Sydney. So far, I am in my second week of classes and it is already going by so fast! I knew when I applied here that I would take advantage of every opportunity while studying in Australia, and so far it has been going really well.
But let's start at the beginning - a 5-hour flight to Los Angeles, a 12-hour layover, and a 15-hour flight to Sydney, Australia. This was the longest travel day I have ever experienced in my life but, surprisingly, I was so excited that it was quite enjoyable. Next thing you know, you land in a country across the world and move from 90-degree summer heat to 40-degree winter weather. Because the seasons are flipped, I am experiencing Australia’s transition from Winter to Spring. I was convinced their winter weather was not actually cold and I was very, very wrong. The wind here is extremely strong, and I was glad I brought a small jacket. That isn’t to say though that it isn't getting warmer! Each week the temperature is increasing and that means more outdoor adventures are coming up. So far I have already visited Bondi Beach, completed a hike around Manly Beach, did a Harbor tour, saw the Sydney Opera House, etc. I also am taking a class called Learning in Outdoor Education, where I will attend a 3-day trip into the Blue Mountains!
Among all these fun plans, I will admit it has been just as overwhelming as it is exciting. The process of learning your way around a new campus, keeping up with class assignments, and meeting new people, is like being thrown into Freshman year again. But through orientation activities and advising drop-in appointments, it is manageable. One thing I learned so far, and definitely recommend to others, is to attend EVERYTHING. The events hosted by the school are meant to help foster new relationships with students who are also doing exchange programs, and so far, I am so thrilled with the amazing people I have met. We are all adjusting and all in the same boat.
Another thing I have also learned so far is the importance of patience. Adjusting to this new environment is hard. Even a 14-hour time difference is an extreme change, as I just now figured out when it is appropriate to make a phone call home. But forming a community of people who are also on this amazing journey helps you take those baby steps into making this new country your home. I live in the dorm, Queen Mary Building, through a scholarship offered by the GW Study Abroad Office, and it has allowed me to already develop a strong community on campus. The best part is that everyone in this building is from different countries, so not only am I learning more about Australia, but also other countries as well.
My view of the world is expanding and I am extremely excited to see how many things I will learn by the time the semester ends if I already have learned so much in 2 weeks.
Nicole Solich
Fall 2024
GW Exchange - University of Sydney
Columbian College of Arts & Sciences
Criminal Justice Major