Carmen Down Under

Exchange Semester 2025
The University of Sydney, Australia
Study, explore and travel! :D

General: how, what, where?

This website or blog is to document my time in Sydney (and any travels?), to share with family/friends and to look back on later : ) I'm studying at the University of Sydney from August to December 2025…

Day 10: Glebe markets

Visited Glebe markets, all sorts of stalls: stickers, magnets, clothing, jewelry, food, etc. Bought Brookie and a necklace with a clock :) Then went grocery shopping and discovered that grapes are expensive here?? Oh, and spotted durian! Cooked some in the evening and had them in the meantime and afterward (before…

Day 9: National Tree Day and a run

This morning I volunteered at National Tree Day in Harold Park. I planted a bunch of local plants and chatted with some other volunteers. I was surrounded by a group of people from the same office who were doing this as a morning activity, haha. One of…

Day 8: Campus tour

Today I took a campus tour, saw lots of buildings, and heard some fun facts about them (including the best places to eat and drink). The campus tour was in small groups, so I got to meet some people from various programs and countries. I had lunch with them at the...

Day 7: Museum and art gallery

Yesterday, I met up with someone from Germany who was in the USYD group chat and had a nice walk around campus. Today I went to the Australian Museum and Art Gallery of New South Wales and saw a lot. It was also interesting to learn about Aboriginal culture...

Day 5: USYD Information Session and City Discovery

Went to the introduction/welcome information session in the morning. Gained some useful information and met a few people. Walked around campus with one of them for a while to find our buildings. After lunch, took the bus to Newtown Station, my…

Day 4: Blackwattle Bay Run

I ran around from my house to Blackwattle Bay, beautiful view! And got a small heater, because it gets quite cold in the evenings (most Australian houses have no heating and poor insulation).

Day 3: Campus walk

Took a recovery day yesterday: relaxed, did some paperwork, and unpacked. Met a few people today: a couple of housemates and their landlords. They're nice people, but unfortunately, some of the housemates aren't very sociable. Spent some time walking around campus and the surrounding area. Nice...

Day 1: Settling into the room

Arrived at my house by shuttle bus! I got the key from the locker and was able to enter (I was glad my room wasn't a scam). Dragging my suitcase up the narrow stairs was a lot of fun, but luckily I managed without any…