top of page


My Favorite Sydney Memories (So Far)
Hello again! It’s been three months since I first arrived in Sydney and in that time, I’ve explored all over the city, met so many people, and embraced some amazing solo adventures. I wanted to share my top 5 favorite memories from my time here so far. Some are more intimate moments while others are absolute must-dos for your bucket list. The Phantom of the Opera Under the Stars This is probably my favorite memory from Sydney so far. The Phantom of the Opera is one of my favo

Ashley Chittum
May 133 min read


Au Revoir Paris
It is the last week of my semester abroad! It is surreal how time has flown by. In my block program, I have been blessed to spend 6 weeks each in Sydney, Rome, and am in week 6 in Paris now! I think this type of program has definitely made time go by faster, rather than if I stayed in one city, but I would not change it for anything. There is no other way I could have experienced 3 very distinct cultures, made friends from all over the world, and gotten to live out my dream i
Claire Smith
May 63 min read


From Cairns to Sydney: My First Steps into Studying Abroad
Hi there! My name is Ashley Chittum and I am studying abroad this semester in Sydney, Australia. My first steps in Australia took place in Cairns during orientation. As part of my study abroad program, WorldStrides, we spent five days in Cairns learning about the culture, lifestyle, and atmosphere of Australia all while fighting the jet lag of a 16-hour flight. Here is my experience from my first days in Australia. Flying Alone Despite being twenty years old, I’d never flown

Ashley Chittum
Mar 24 min read


Goodbye Columbia, Hello Sydney!
Hello Gamecocks! I am finally just a few days out from my departure for Sydney, Australia! Leaving home on January 3rd means my winter break is a bit shorter than normal, so I have been lucky to be able to visit my friend in New Jersey and have a trip into NYC with my best friends from USC! I am trying to soak everything up before leaving home. I am so excited about leaving, but I expect some nervous feeling to hit me closer to departure. I am preparing by making many packing
Claire Smith
Jan 52 min read


Packing Light, Thinking Big: Prepping for Australia
It’s finally happening. After nearly a year of planning, booking flights, and trying to explain to my friends why I’ll be missing the...
Nicholas Brescio
Feb 10, 20253 min read
bottom of page