I can’t believe I have only been here for a month and a half. it seems like so much longer. I’ve made some amazing friends, gone some incredible places, and made memories I will never forget, even if I wanted to.

I’ve mastered the art of public transportation – bus AND train. I’ve learned my way around Sydney (kind of). I have watched more horror movies in the past 6 weeks than in the rest of my life combined.

I’ve learned to cook multiple real people meals, but I’ve also eaten more crackers and drank more wine than is probably healthy.

I’ve listened to the Mamma Mia soundtrack more than I would like to admit, and spent far too much of my free time on social media.

But I’ve also done some productive things. I relearned guitar, and have posted a few songs. I’ve conducted two super successful interviews for my journalism courses. I have written one article – so far.

Maybe I haven’t gotten a job or exercised at all, but that’s okay because I learned how to make sangria and talk to an adult stranger on the phone, so I’d say I’m on the right track to #adulting.

I’ve tried tons of restaurants because I made a rule to only go to each place once so that I get to experience as many places as possible.

I applied to transfer from Southern to UGA in the fall – UGA has a much better journalism program, I’m closer to home, and there is a better chance I can get a job there. I am also super excited to join their environmental-themed a cappella group, the Ecotones. have you ever heard of something more Madeline? I mean an environmentally friendly singing team. come on now.

I’m super excited for the future but I am also enjoying my time here to the fullest. I’ve gone ziplining in Wollongong, explored the suburbs of Sydney, and booked my flight to The Great Barrier Reef for Easter Break. I have played laser tag, and gone to church, and thrift shopped, and walked 9 kilometers between Coogee, Bondi, and Bronte Beach.

It’s crazy to think all this has happened in a month and a half, and it’s even crazier to know with how fast the time is flying that I will be home soon.

all I know is that this trip has already changed me and I will leave with, at the very least, friends from all over the world – Canada, Sweden, New Mexico, Australia – and memories to last a lifetime.