Australia: Talia Bergerson (A New Experience)

Sydney is a multifaceted city. Each area promises a new adventure and aesthetic experience unlike the previous one. This city has it all: quaint suburbs, a bustling city-centre, beaches, and even within all of that, a lot of greenery and large public parks. It can accommodate for the preferences of most people, you just need to find your niche, and once you do so, it is sure to be available in Sydney. That is what I love about this city so far—it offers a variety of new experiences no matter where you go. It makes it hard to pinpoint one singular moment to focus on, but I am narrowing it down to an experience that allows me to access all of the diverse opportunities of Sydney: Public Transport.

Coming to study in Sydney, my goal was to of course hit all the vested tourist stops, but in the end, to really live like a local. For me, this included understanding and utilizing public transport. Instead of taking it the easy way and ordering an Uber, my friends and I took on Sydney’s extensive transport system. Two things that I found fascinating are (1) Ferries are a part of this system and (2) you do not just enter your transport card when you go on like most American systems, but you have to “tap” your card when going both on and off the bus.

Sydney’s public transport has allowed me to get to the Opera House, Bondi Beach, and Manly Beach with ease while also being able to soak in the sights of the city I may have never seen on foot. It makes me feel at ease in such a big place, riding alongside fellow Sydney residents while I start to become one myself.

 

Talia Bergerson

Hometown: Burnsville, Minnesota

Major: Philosophy with a Certificate in Criminal Justice

Program: University of Sydney – Exchange

I hope to pursue a career in either International, Maritime, or Environmental law (or a mixture of the three), and the University of Sydney and Australia in general are places where these interests perfectly intersect!

CRICOS Provider: 00026A