For nearly every week I’ve been in Sydney, I have walked over 50 miles. My time down under has opened my eyes to this new favorite mode of transportation and exploration. These walks have provided me with laughter, chaos, adventure and beauty.
My study abroad experience began two years ago when I decided I wanted to come to Sydney for a semester. I went to Australia in 2022 with my family and fell in love with the outdoor culture. Everywhere I looked on that trip, people were enjoying the beautiful weather and scenery that Sydney offers. I walked a ton on that trip, and on one particular walk to Maroubra Beach, I decided I wanted to come back here to study.
I redid that walk recently, and reflecting on all that has changed in the past two-and-a-half years was special.
However, my current trip to Sydney began with the opposite of this outdoor, movement-focused semester I was envisioning. I was stuck on the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport tarmac for over three hours due to bad storms. Luckily, my travel-experienced father had booked my flights with a four-hour layover in case something like this happened. Still, I was nervous about navigating the gigantic airport to find my flight to Sydney. The guy sitting next to me noticed my concern. He asked me where I was going and proceeded to draw out an entire map to show me how to navigate the Dallas airport. He was the first of many generous and friendly strangers I encountered who characterized this trip and reminded me to stay hopeful.
Once we landed, I thanked the nearby passengers for their help and sprinted through the terminals to get to my gate. The trip went off smoothly as I sat in my seat for the next 16 hours.
Once I arrived, I frequently felt pulled in many directions by all the various things I wanted to do. Most importantly, I needed to move into my new apartment. I also was ecstatic to begin exploring the city. Finally, I was doing something I am never great at: rest. I had, in part, come to Australia to take a step back from the busyness of my normal Fordham life. In a place with fewer responsibilities, I hoped my time abroad would teach me to be still.
In the midst of all these different early preoccupations, my habit of walking quickly developed. I had always loved being outside, but walking was a perfect way for me to both slow life down and see Sydney. However, my first few walks were primarily journeys back and forth from Kmart. I would walk a mile along my neighborhood’s busy and beautiful streets, carrying pans, groceries and other necessities. Kmart here is really a sight to behold. You can buy a whole kitchen set for 20 AUD! Plus, everything has an American discount (the exchange rate difference).
Once I was fully moved in, I could finally begin to explore with my roommates. One memorable walk we did was just recently in Watson’s Bay, a suburb of Sydney along the ocean. We were walking along the hilly shore to a lighthouse when we accidentally walked onto a nude beach. I thought they only did that kind of stuff in France…
My roommates and I also recently journeyed out to the Blue Mountains, a gorgeous national park west of Sydney. We had nearly completed the four-mile loop, but only for the trail to be closed and for us to need to turn back around. We speed-walked through the forest, working about the setting sun.
My favorite place to walk around in Sydney is the Royal Botanical Gardens. Situated in the heart of the city, the garden contains over 70 acres of rolling hills, tropical plants and stunning views of Sydney Harbour. I love coming here on Sundays to watch families picnic, elderly people ride around on their motorized scooters and kids chase the weird chicken birds that are all over Australia. These moments of slowing down to recognize the beauty all around us is what my study abroad experience has been all about. Perhaps it is not as flashy as the typical view of a 20-year-old who’s abroad, but rest is what I had hoped for when I came to Australia.
A favorite quote of mine is, “Nothing would again be casual and small.” The sprinting through Dallas airport, long hikes along the beach and days strolling through the Botanical Gardens open my eyes to the grandness and beauty of each moment.
