Leaving Sydney

I am leaving Sydney and it is really really difficult, super emotional and hard to grasp. In one year so many things happen, you meet so many people, have so many interesting conversations, great adventures, amazing trips, and many dinners shared with laughter and love. In one year, I formed friendships that are not ending the moment I leave Australia. It is fascinating what a rollercoaster I went through, and I know all my friends experienced as well. We all came here excited, but that was followed by uncertainty and some anxiety. Now I feel like Sydney is my home - I built a life here. I would recommend to anyone going on exchange to have a journal or any other way to have evidence for yourself of how much you grow and change while on exchange. For me this year was a bliss, a joy, and I can confidently say one of the most beautiful times in my life so far. I'd say be open, be kind, try leaving any prejudice behind and attempt to know people for who they are, give time for silence, give time to friendships to flourish, because most of them will. Try to enjoy the smallest bits, because they are very temporary, but you will only realise that once you're leaving because it is difficult to grasp this. I'm leaving Sydney today and I met with all my friends that are still here. One of them I only became close with in the second half of the year even though we were next door neighbours in the first half. During my first week in Sydney, I felt a bit home sick and maybe lonely as everything felt so overwhelming and intense, I felt like I don't have close knit friendships yet, but I know that hugging really helps me to feel better. So, I knocked on her door and asked her for a hug. I didn't really know her then, we only had few small conversations at that point, yet today she told me she found that really sweet. Remember most of exchange students are experiencing remarkably similar feelings and even if you're not close yet, you can share them, be open and that will certainly help you feel better and form closer connections. Reach out, even it is out of your comfort zone. That one knock on the door certainly was out of comfort zone for me, but I felt better afterwards and someone else found it nice and sweet.

When on exchange it is important to dare to do things would it be socially or academically. This year is full of freedom, and it is a year when you have very few responsibilities, hence, it allowed me to explore new things. For example, I did canyoning with my friends. It was extremely cold, but incredibly fun and an experience I cherish. I also went to the beach early in the morning to see sunrise with my friends so many times, that I think it tops all the sunrises I’ve seen in my life before coming here. I dared to read my poetry in an open mic my friend organized. Year abroad is an opportunity you can only gain from.