When my plane touched down on Australian soil, I felt so many emotions. There was a little excitement, but what I mostly felt was fear. I didn’t know a single soul on the entire continent and I didn’t even know if my phone would work once I lost wifi connection. I hadn’t cried when I left my family back at the Kansas City Airport, but for the first time, I struggled to fight back my tears.
For the next two days, that fear did not subside. The man assigned to take me from the airport to my dorm building was not chatty. He let me lug my two suitcases through the parking garage, and would occasionally slow down if one of my suitcases fell over, which happened several times. I had assumed that I would be welcomed by roommates, which was the entire reason I chose to live with four other people. Unfortunately for me, all of my roommates were on holiday and I had to spend my first days in Australia alone.
After two days of extreme loneliness, I decided to go on Facebook and text as many people from my university’s page as I could. This was one of the best decisions that I could have made. Not only did I meet some of my best friends because of this, but I got to see the city of Melbourne for the first time with them.
Melbourne was nothing short of amazing. No matter how many times I ventured into the city, I was always shocked by its design, diversity, and energy. There were so many beautiful gardens, cafes, rooftop bars, and street art. Even after spending four months there, I still don’t believe that I saw everything it had to offer.
One of my favorite things about my study abroad experience were the people. The connections I made were truly so meaningful, and getting to hear about how people in other countries live their lives is such an important part of how I view the world now. Before going abroad, I didn’t realize how much I could have in common with people from different places. For some reason, I believed there would be such a big disconnect because we grew up differently. That couldn’t have been farther from the truth.
The people I met in Australia, and especially the people I met while backpacking after my semester ended, had very similar mindsets as me. I loved talking to people that have a passion for traveling and getting to hear about all of the places and things that they have seen. Some of the most memorable parts of my journey were the least glamorous. It was the late night talks with a random man from New Zealand outside of the bar and the most uncomfortable fourteen hour train ride with a girl that ended up being my best friend to this day that made my trip the best decision I’ve ever made.
More than likely, the beginning of your experience will be much calmer and more structured than mine. However, I wouldn’t change a single thing about those first few days in Australia or anything else about that trip. I was scared, of course, but it taught me how resilient I can be. Getting out of your comfort zone and figuring things out is the whole point of leaving home.
I loved Aus and I saw so many beautiful things, but what I really took away from study abroad is that you can find solace in the strangest places. What stayed with me the most were the words from the people I met and the moments when these unfamiliar places started to feel like home. Some of the most amazing things can happen if you let yourself embrace the unknown.
— Katelyn (Katie) Mermis (BA ’27)
K-State English 