Staying Sustainable While Studying Abroad in Sydney, Australia
The purpose of this blog is to show Sydney’s rich culture. One of the main reasons I chose to study abroad in Sydney is because of its outdoor-centered lifestyle, proximity to the beach, and accessibility to sustainable practices. I have discovered some of my favorite spots through exploring the city by public transportation. Sydney has some of the most beautiful and diverse nature I have ever seen, but it does not stop there. I have ventured further into second-hand shopping, dining at plant-based restaurants, and buying produce sourced from local farmers during my time so far.
A sustainable lifestyle is certainly a choice, but it does not have to be an expensive or difficult one, especially in a city like Sydney! I absolutely love how eco-conscious and focused on nature Sydney is, which has been part of why this city is so personally fulfilling! Sustainability is of major importance to me, and luckily, this is a common narrative to most people who live in/travel to Sydney.
These photos also help to represent my experience in Sydney and Australia in terms of culture. Each photo represents a separate special experience that I have cherished and documented in the last two months. Also, I centered these photos around places or ways to get involved and immersed in the culture of Sydney itself, as I found it was meaningful to find spots that bring you comfort early on your study abroad journey. These photos serve as a collection of my most admired places through the lens of sustainability.
Most importantly, I want to include this photo to recognize that I study and explore land stolen from the Gadigal people. Aboriginal history has been a significant part of my study abroad experience as I have immersed myself in learning about Australia’s history. A relevant takeaway from Aboriginal values is the importance of respecting nature, which impacts my motivation to pursue a sustainable lifestyle.
The Great Barrier Reef is a huge part of Australian culture; it has a connection to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as well as modern-day Australia through tourism and conservation. It is incredibly important to wear reef-safe sunscreen in Australia because many ingredients in conventional sunscreen bleach and disrupt the reef. I personally made a sustainable switch to Zinc sunscreen once I arrived in Sydney!
One of the things I was most excited to experience in Australia was the diverse wildlife because it is so different from what we’re used to in the US. In this photo, I got to feed a kangaroo on my day trip to the Bert Saunders Reserve. Visiting animal conservation centers and reserves is beneficial because it helps fund species and biodiversity preservation.
Sydney’s public transport is amazing and makes the whole city accessible, especially for a student on a budget who wants to limit how much they use a car for transportation. Given that public transportation is a sustainable and cheaper means of transport, I recommend getting acclimated to the train and buses early on your journey abroad! My personal favorite part of public transportation is that you can take the ferry to see the Sydney Opera House, which is the most popular tourist attraction in the whole city.
Coffee is a major part of Australian culture, especially for social means. Sydney has a distinct ‘morning’ culture, and most people are out of the house getting coffee and spending time outside before work. Finding a local coffee shop has brought me a lot of comfort, and it is always beneficial to support small businesses; this is my personal favorite, Stitch Coffee!
A must-visit place in Sydney is Bondi Beach, and my favorite part is the Icebergs pool. Even though it is a touristy and usually busy spot, going on a sunny day is always perfect for reading or doing homework. You can get to Bondi Beach easily by public transport from any point in the city!
Sydney has an abundance of farmers’ markets; I made it a goal to prioritize buying my produce from local farmers rather than large grocery chains. This is a beneficial, sustainable practice because it reduces food miles, which is the distance and fuel required to get the product to the consumer. My favorite farmers’ markets are the Carriageworks Farmers’ Market and Paddy’s Market!
This is a photo I took on my favorite scenic walk from Manly Beach to Shelly Beach. Since the weather in Sydney is mostly warm and sunny year-round, going on walks is an enjoyable form of exercise that also helps you stay grounded during your transition abroad. Manly Beach is easily accessible through public transportation; it is just a ferry ride away!
One way to live more sustainably is to prioritize plant-based meals, which do not have to be all or nothing. Just choosing one meal a week to be plant-based helps you to shop and eat more sustainably. My favorite meal to get in the city is easily these vegetable noodles from Yummy Noodle King in Campertown (about a 5-minute walk from the University of Sydney’s campus!).
This photo is from a trip to the Blue Mountains National Park, which was a surreal experience. Appreciating and preserving national parks is requisite for protecting endangered species and valued landforms. Not only that, but it is enriching for people to visit for educational purposes and connection with nature.