Emily Fessler, from Pennsylvania State University , talks about experience of studying in Sydney with Penn State School of Visual Arts in winter 2017. She writes:

Older and wiser people always tell me that a study abroad opportunity is an “experience of a lifetime.” After earning three credits in Sydney, Australia this past winter break of 2017, I now understand the importance of this cultural experience of studying in another country.

Personally speaking, history was never one of my favorite subjects. I found reading out of a textbook — not to take away from our historical heroes — very boring and dry, but studying another country’s culture is an unmatched learning opportunity.

Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House

Starting on day one, we were dropped off right in the heart of the Sydney Harbor Rocks. Standing there, with the Harbor Bridge to my left and the Sydney Opera House to my right, I was in complete awe as I realized my whole perspective on life was about to change. Each day we met someone new who was kind enough to share his or her personal stories of their family history with us. Learning the history of Australia through face-to-face conversations was invaluable and far surpasses reading a textbook.

One eye-opening moment was how respectful each speaker was towards the natives of Australia. Before each activity, whether a walk through The Rocks, The Contemporary Art Museum, or Sydney’s inner-city suburb Redfern, our guest speakers took a few moments to honor and recognize the true natives of the land. They expressed how the Australian land is sacred because their ancestors fought to keep their land from the British explorer, James Cook. The natives do struggle to keep their culture alive which is difficult as Australia continues to become more commercialized. This made me realize how I take the American land for granted. I rarely think about the native American Indians and their culture, let alone taken the time to honor them. This experience made me grateful for where I live and made me more aware and respectful of other people’s cultures and beliefs.

I also learned how the famous Sydney Opera House was constructed.  Yes, I could have read about it in a book, and how it was a painstaking and long process, but walking through the architectural masterpiece was much more educational.

Published: March 2018