Voices from Abroad: Cristina Trabucchi

Sydney (Australia), Exchange Program, University of Sydney

Sailing in Sydney

When I was asked to write something regarding my experience in Australia, I started to collect my ideas and think of all the amazing, unforgettable adventures I have experienced, realizing how difficult it is to express all the feelings of six months in a few lines.

I decided to apply for an exchange program at the University of Sydney because when I first visited it four years ago with my parents I thought that it was the one of the most beautiful cities in the world. From the very first time I visited, I felt the need to settle there for some time.

Sydney is clean and cozy. Its bay is a unique place in the world and you cannot help falling in love with the beauty of its green hills, the iron architecture of its harbor bridge and the image of the Opera House, which has made it famous worldwide.I landed in a winter day of mid July, but it seemed to be late spring: the temperature was 20 degrees, and you could wear a t-shirt and almost get a tan.

University of Sydney campus

Courses at Sydney University start in late July, for the second semester, and end quite early – at the end of November. It is recommended to arrive there well before the beginning of the lessons, since finding a flat turned out to be harder than expected.Indeed, the Campus is beautiful and huge and you can find all you may need, but the residence is quite small and expensive, so it is better to search for accommodation in the city.I was enrolled in a Postgraduate program and I could choose among a wide range of elective courses within the financial field, since Finance is the subject of my studies.Sydney University has a strong, well-established reputation, being the leading institution in Australia. However, I found it interesting to make some comparisons with the courses I attended at Università Bocconi. For example, I have noticed that programs taught at the University of Sydney go less in depth concerning the technical aspects. On the other hand, participation in class and teamwork are fundamental drivers for the final mark, therefore it is essential to follow the lessons and be active during the debates. At the beginning it was not that easy, because the topics of the discussions were mainly about the Australian market, which I did not know in detail. However, international students can bring to the attention of the class business cases from their own country, thus sharing different perspectives from all over the world.Postgraduate lectures are mainly held in late afternoon, so there is still some time to enjoy the city and its beautiful beaches.

Whitsundays Islands

Sydney is multicultural and very safe, also at night. It is easy to settle down and feel at home, since people are so friendly that they can stop and start a conversation with you along the street, even if you have never seen them before. After the final exams, I decided to take some time to travel around. The East Coast is the most popular destination for young travelers: Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise and Fraser Island are some of the most amazing spots. What impressed me the most is that Australians seem to conduct a careless and absolutely relaxed life and this attitude is contagious, I guess. Instead of soccer, they love rugby and every kind of extreme sport, such as rafting and skydiving. I had to try both of them, and it was simply awesome. My Exchange program was an incredible experience, which opened my mind and enriched me a lot, for what concerns the sphere of both education and my personal life. I think that, if there is the chance, anyone should go abroad for some time, anywhere in the world, the destination does not matter: the only important thing is to get the most out of it.