Sydney: Time Flies When You’re Having Fun!

Four years ago, I came into BU confused and unsure of where it would take me. Fast forward to now, and I have been lucky enough to not only call Boston a second home, but studied abroad in both Dublin, Madrid, and next semester, Los Angeles.

Although I am sad my time in Boston is coming to an end, I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had the past few years with some of the most amazing friends. 

I came to BU undecided with my major; I had no idea what I wanted to study and where the major would take me. I considered communications, business, and even nutrition. I joined several clubs such as BUTV, Her Network, and Student Government. Communications became my main interest, so after taking COM 101 freshman spring, I decided to declare my major in Public Relations. Freshman year really taught me to be open to new things, new people, and a new environment.

The summer after freshman year I had the opportunity to intern at NBC New York. This was my first real internship and I had an amazing experience learning about what it takes to work in a newsroom, especially one as highly regarded as NBC. Working out of 30 Rockefeller Plaza was a dream. It also confirmed my confidence in my recently declared major; I realized I did not want to be a journalist and that PR was the right choice.

Coming back to school sophomore year was so exciting; I was eager to be back on campus and reunite with my friends who I hadn’t seen all summer. I joined PRSSA, learning so much about the field of Public Relations. I spent the year as a Victoria’s Secret PINK Brand Ambassador, when we came so close to winning a free concert on BU’s campus out of over 100 schools. I planned a free yoga class and other events for PINK, as well as was flown to New York to visit the Victoria’s Secret headquarters. I became a COM Ambassador and joined my sorority, Sigma Kappa, meeting so many new, amazing people!

The summer after sophomore year I decided to study abroad in Dublin. I had never spent more than a week in another country before this, so I was extremely excited to immerse myself in a new city, learn about their culture, travel, as well as intern at Ali Coffey Casting. Spending the summer in Dublin was a dream; I made so many new friends from the program, and traveled around Ireland and Europe. I became so much more independent, and I miss my time in Dublin every day.

The fall of my junior year I was a Communications Intern in the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Harvard Medical School. I found this internship on Handshake, and although it did not align with my career goals of working in the entertainment industry, I learned more than I ever thought I would about the medical field, as well as discovered a new area of Boston- the Longwood area. This was my first semester being assigned a COM Ambassador group, and I really enjoyed helping mentor freshman and serve as a resource with their transition into college. My second semester junior year I studied abroad in Madrid, which was an amazing experience. The Madrid program was so different from my Dublin program because for one, I lived with a host family (who I miss so much!), there was a different language, and I met even more new friends. I traveled so much around Europe during those four months, and fell in love with the city of Madrid. I interned at a magazine called HELLO!, learning more about the journalism side of the entertainment industry. Although they were different, both of my study abroad opportunities were amazing experiences.

This past summer, I found an internship in LA at William Morris Endeavor, where I interned with students from all over the country, and further developed my passion for working in the entertainment industry.

This semester, I have been enjoying my last few months in Boston as much as I could. I am interning at Boston Casting, where I have been able to be an extra for a TV show, as well as learn about casting for feature films. I am spending a lot of time with my friends, who I will not see for a while since I will not be in Boston with them next semester. I’ve also been trying to explore different parts of Boston one last time.

Reflecting on these past few years have made me extremely grateful and feel so lucky for all the opportunities I have experienced, and the friendships I have made. Every experience has helped me grow immensely as an individual, and I know I will always keep growing. Next semester I am heading back to LA, this time on the BU Study Abroad Program. I am eager to be back in La La Land, and am so excited for the experiences coming my way. Although I will miss Boston, I know the LA program will bring even more opportunities and friendships to my life.

 I will see you at graduation, Boston.

Laura: So Much to Miss in Boston

Next semester, I will be traveling abroad to Sydney, Australia for Boston University’s internship program! I will be flying for approximately 21 hours to the land of beaches, kangaroos, and vegemite and saying goodbye to some American, and specifically Boston, staples. In memoriam of being away from those things for four months, I have composed a list of the things I will miss most while I am down under: 

  1. Trader Joe's
    This is number one for a reason. I will miss the convenience of shopping at the Coolidge Corner store every week and the cauliflower rice!
  2. Marathon Monday
  3. T. Anthony’s Pizzeria 
  4. Picco pizza (I really like pizza, can you tell?)
  5. Studying on the 3rd or 6th floor of Mugar
  6. Going to the Boston Public Library to pick up books to read 
  7. The view from the 26th floor of Stuvi2
  8. American-specific content on Netflix (aka The Office)
  9. Lemonade
    Apparently ordering lemonade isn’t really a thing in Australia, the closest thing is Sprite.
  10. Flywheel classes in the Prudential
  11. Ketchup
    If there is one thing to know about me, I put ketchup on everything. Apparently, if I want ketchup in Australia I will have to ask for “tomato sauce,” but then what am I supposed to do if I actually want tomato sauce!? 
  12. Matcha lattes from the Pavement coffeehouse on Commonwealth Ave 
  13. Walking from my dorm in West campus to class in East campus each day 
  14.  FitRec
  15. Running the COM open house in April with my fellow COM Ambassadors
  16. The leaves changing on Bay State Road

Short list of things I will not miss: Snow and hearing everyone talk about Tom Brady. 

I will miss my friends, family, and Boston University as a whole more than anything (even more than Trader Joe's). Boston University has prepared me to take a leap of faith and travel across the world and I know that I am prepared for this journey of a lifetime. I will be back soon Boston, don’t you forget about me! 

Sydney: How to Live in the Moment When Time is Flying By

It’s the beginning of November, and I can’t believe this semester is almost over. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in school work, jobs, and other responsibilities that the semester passes by in a blink of an eye. I try to live in the moment, but I’m sure many can agree that it’s not that easy. This is my last semester in Boston because I will be spending my final semester in LA through the COM Internship Program. I have come up with a few ways to help me live in the moment and enjoy my last few weeks in Beantown before heading out for good!

Set time for yourself.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the moment, but it is so important to set some time apart for yourself. With stress from classes, internships, and other extra-curriculars, prioritizing “me time” helps you take a step back, relax, and appreciate everything you have accomplished so far. I try to do this by working out, going on a walk, watching a movie, or meditating. This helps me live in the moment and enjoy a break from everything else in my life.

 Don’t plan too much.
I feel like I’m constantly planning throughout the semester, between setting time for club meetings, work schedules, and other activities, it’s difficult to live in the moment because I am always thinking about what’s ahead. But, a goal for this month is to not plan too much during my free time and to act spontaneously. Instead of constantly thinking about what’s next, I will try to live in the moment and enjoy what is going on in the now.

Make time for friends.
Although there may be a lot going on between school and work, making time for friends is essential. Especially since I only have a few weeks left with my friends in Boston, I am trying to enjoy my time with them as much as possible. After a busy week of classes, homework, and work, I find hanging out with my friends is a great way to take a break and relax. With time flying by, spending time with them helps me live in the moment and enjoy the now.

 With this semester going so fast, I hope these tips help you learn to live in the moment and enjoy every second at BU!

Angeli: Sing to me, Sydney!

I'll spare you the cliché colloquial greeting used by ever-the abroad student, and just start off this post by channeling one of my childhood icons with an ole GOOOOOOOD MORNING, BOSTOOONNNN...ston, ston, ston...

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It is I, CA Angeli, reporting live from the land of Aus, with my signature curly locks a little frizzier and sun-soaked Cuban skin a whole lot tanner to prove it. As I write this, I'm celebrating my one-month anniversary with my current continent of residence, and I frankly cannot believe it. Studying abroad has been a dream of mine since I was in high school, so the fact that it has manifested in Australia of all places feels just too good to be. Stay tuned for the first morning that I wake up in Sydney and it's not surreal!
Until then, I'll just keep living out my Lizzie McGuire Movie fantasy. I haven't quite been mistaken for an international pop star or, to my greater disappointment, been gifted an absurdly large wheel of cheese, but I do find myself deeply relating to Lizzie's awe, bewilderment, and (occasional) public embarrassment. After all, being in a whole new country is a challenging adjustment for even the best of Disney channel characters. Due to a shared language and cultural similarities, I'm sure that many of you are skeptical as to how much that principle might apply to living in Australia. I thought the same before getting here. My 28 days down under, however, have proven my formerly naive self wrong time and time again.
Here are 7 instances and counting that Australia's tested my largely Outback Steakhouse-backed knowledge...and I failed.
1) That first time I opened my apartment's powder room door.
Picture a toilet with a sink coming out of it. The water that comes out of the faucet is used next time you flush. Pretty eco-genius but not the easiest hygienic concept to get used to.
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2) That time I tried to drive my own Uber.
I had been warned before my arrival that, like in the UK, driving is done on the opposite side of the road here. No one informed me that steering wheels are also on the opposite side from what I'm used to. What's Aussie for awkward?
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3) That time I ordered an iced coffee and got a milkshake.
For whatever reason, Australians have decided that iced coffee does not obviously entail coffee chilled with ice. They have instead deemed it code for coffee chilled with ice cream. I'm not saying this is the worst mistake I've ever made, but my doctor would sadly not be pleased with this new breakfast routine.
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4) That time I tried to use public transportation, but no one knew where I was going.
Though incredibly convenient when understood, the train and bus system in city is vastly different from that of the MBTA and thus takes some getting used to. Possibly the hardest part is knowing how to pronounce station names. Let's just say no one will be able to help you get to "Circular Quay," but someone will happily give you directions to Circular Quay (pronounced "Key.")
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5) That (very bittersweet) time I saw a koala and couldn't hold it.
So it seems that Google Images is a liar. To my continuous dismay, carrying koalas is not a casual pastime over here and not every zoo will let you do it. Due to (very important) conservation efforts, it is apparently pretty rare to get this photo.
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6) That time I thought I was being generous to a cashier.
Though also called dollars, the different kinds of Australian currency are a bit different (and a lot prettier) than ours. For example, there are $1 and $2 coins. There is not, however, an equivalent to the US penny. Paying $30.55 for $30.54-worth of groceries and telling the clerk to "keep the change" will thus get you nothing but a laugh back.
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7) That time a local was speaking English, yet I had no idea what he/she was saying.
I'll be honest, this has happened to me on more than one occasion. Aussies have the tendency of speaking really fast, shortening their words, and using a lot of slang. Top all of that off with their often thick accents. Now try to guess what "arvo" or "Macca's" might mean.
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So if it isn't obvious by now, studying abroad entails a daily pop quiz of some sort. I might still be getting the hang of it, but trust me when I tell you, the last thing I'm doing is complaining.
AUSSIE! AUSSIE! AUSSIE!