Studying Abroad Down Under

During my time at Michigan State University, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad for a summer in Sydney, Australia. From the start of college, I set a goal to explore the world, connect with people from diverse backgrounds, and immerse myself in different cultures. In just five weeks in Australia, I gained invaluable experiences and life lessons that I am excited to share with you today.

I spent five weeks immersed in the heart of Sydney, attending classes at The University of Sydney. One standout course was Organizational Communication, taught by the dynamic and inspiring Professor Maria Ishkova. Her energy and enthusiasm pushed us to improve not only as students but also in developing essential soft skills for our future careers. Maria’s ability to connect with each student on a personal level made her class the most engaging and memorable experience of my academic journey.

Studying abroad also gave me the opportunity to travel, which became a rewarding learning experience in itself. Exploring a new country independently was a challenge I embraced, made even better by the company of friends I met through my program. Together, we traveled to various destinations across Australia. Some of my most memorable experiences include seeing the iconic Sydney Opera House, visiting the animals at Taronga Zoo, watching the sunset at Bondi Beach, touring Downtown Sydney, attending a Sydney Swans AFL game, exploring the city of Brisbane, and hiking in Blue Mountains National Park.

What I gained most from studying abroad wasn’t just the destination, but the people I shared the experience with. I made the decision to study abroad on my own, without knowing anyone else from MSU in the program. However, within the first two days in Australia, I met some amazing people who quickly became close friends and shared the five-week journey with me in Sydney. This group included two friends from the U.K., two from Ohio, one from Iowa, and another from Minnesota. Taking that leap of faith to go abroad allowed me to build these incredible friendships that I wouldn’t have been able to form if I didn’t travel abroad.

If you get the chance to study abroad, take it. The experiences, memories, friendships you gain traveling is invaluable.

Summer of 2023, my friends and I went to go see the Sydney Opera House