Got to pet a sweet kangaroo at Kuranda.

Author: Gaby Sledge | Major: Communications, Criminology, Political Science, Sociology | Semester: Summer 2025
I spent the last six weeks of summer studying abroad in Sydney, Australia. I am privileged in that this was my second study abroad program this summer. Both experiences were life-giving opportunities that continue to enrich my academic and personal growth. Unlike my first experience, I arrived in Australia knowing no one, which was part of the reason I chose it. I wanted a destination that felt new and exciting, yet offered a touch of familiarity. Sydney seemed like the perfect blend—a place different enough to challenge me, but similar enough to feel approachable. Through coursework and local experiences, I quickly learned that while both
countries share histories of colonization, racism, and the dispossession of Indigenous peoples, Australia has unique cultural elements, particularly among its First Nations communities.
Intertwined into daily life are the Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country, two practices that pay respect to the land and elders of the First Nation people. These traditions commemorate the original owners of Australia, recognizing the disservice that was done to the
Aboriginal people. Within the six weeks I spent in Australia, my learning journey was shaped by
a series of experiences that deepened my understanding of cultural diversity, challenged my
assumptions, and expanded my capacity for empathy and global awareness. Engaging with
people from different cultural backgrounds, reading and discussing sociological research, and
participating in collaborative projects have allowed me to reflect critically on my own values and
worldview. By seeing the way other people and cultures conduct their lives, I am able to refine
mine.
Beyond academic growth, I was able to stretch myself personally through cultivating
strong interpersonal relationships with my peers. In Italy, I was among three hundred students,
but in Australia, I only had six classmates. I was anxious about this situation, fearing that it
might be difficult to find real connections among such a small group of people. Quickly, though,
these fears were defeated. All seven of us lived in the same apartment, which made it easy to get
to know each other outside of classes. We were from various states and had different experiences
and personalities, but we all got along very well. Four of us even went on a weekend trip to
Cairns together, which ended up being one of the highlights of my trip. In Cairns, we got to see
the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. These are two bucket-list items for many
people, as the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, and Daintree is the
oldest rainforest in the world. This area of Australia is also home to some of the most infamous
Australian creatures, such as crocodiles and box jellyfish. Thankfully, the only contact we had
with dangerous wildlife was in protected animal sanctuaries. My weekend trip to Cairns, along
with the whole experience with my tight-knit group, taught me the value of making yourself
available for friendship. Regardless of the number or type of people near you, if you are
vulnerable and kind, you will be able to form meaningful relationships. I will carry this lesson
with me for the rest of my life. So many people are waiting for a friend: be one to them!
*Certain segments of this blog have been acquired from a previous reflection of mine, submitted
for “Intercultural Communications and Leadership,” a course taken at CIEE Summer in Sydney.