Finding Sydney Again, After Study Abroad

Studying abroad in Sydney, Australia, changed the rhythm of my everyday life. I got used to walking everywhere, taking public transit, spending more time outside, and finding joy in small routines like trying new cafés, exploring markets, or simply being near the water. When I returned home to the United States, the adjustment was harder than I expected.  

The hard part of coming home  

After living in Sydney, returning to less walkable cities with limited public transportation felt isolating at times. I missed the ease of stepping outside and feeling connected to the city around me. Back in the U.S., especially in places built more around cars than people, daily life sometimes felt slower, more disconnected, and harder to enjoy in the same effortless way. It made me sad at times, not because I did not want to be home, but because I missed the peace and independence Sydney had given me.  

Bringing Sydney with me  

Over time, I realized that I did not have to leave that version of myself behind. My everyday life in Sydney had brought me so much joy because I was curious, active, and intentional. I started applying that same mindset at Emory and in Atlanta.  

I tried new restaurants, spent more time outside, visited markets, and looked for small businesses to support. Atlanta began to feel different when I explored it through the lens I had developed abroad.  

Everyday life in Sydney brought me so much joy because I was curious, active, and intentional. I started applying that mindset in Atlanta.

Seeing the U.S. with new eyes  

Studying abroad also made me want to travel more, internationally and within my own country. One of the best parts of going abroad was making friends from all over the U.S. After returning home, I visited some of them in different cities, which allowed me to fulfill my desire to keep exploring. Each trip reminded me that travel is not only about distance. It is about curiosity, openness, and the willingness to see familiar places in new ways.  

Coming home after studying abroad was not always easy, but it taught me that the joy I found in Sydney was not limited to Sydney. I brought it back with me.  

Giovanna Z. | Emory University | University of Sydney, Australia | Spring 2024