University of Wisconsin–Madison

Australia: Dylan Finger (Sustainability in Sydney)

Sustainability in Sydney

Bike standing up next to a car
Picture of my E-Bike on the streets in the “Land Down Under”

When I first arrived in Sydney, I knew I wanted to find some sustainable way to travel around the city. Riding the public transport was an “ok” option, but I did not qualify for the discounted student rate bus pass, and the buses tended to be late and would still suffer from the heavy traffic in Sydney. Walking was an amazing option, but it was too slow, and I couldn’t see all the parts of Sydney that I wanted to see in a day’s trip. One sustainable option that I saw a lot of people use in the city was E-Bikes, so I thought I would get my own. During my first week in Sydney, I went to a local E-Bike shop, who were upgrading their fleet and getting rid of their old E-Bikes for a fraction of the price, and bought myself a brand-new E-Bike. I’ve loved riding the E-Bike to class, exploring the city, and making some extra money delivering food on Uber Eats. I can’t wait to go on more adventures with my bike and discover new and exciting parts of Sydney that would never have been accessible without an E-Bike. I already ride a normal pedal bike around Madison, but I don’t know if I’d be able to go back to it when I return to the States. An E-Bike is an incredibly eco conscious way to get around the city. It’s fast, fully electric, and (somewhat) improves my health. Although Sydney is somewhat bike friendly, nothing beats Madison. I am excited to get an E-Bike and try riding it through Madison when I return!

Headshot of student

Dylan Finger

Major: Molecular and Cell Biology

Hometown: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Program: University of Sydney Direct Enroll

Being a recipient of the Global Gateway Fellowship not only provides me the resources to overcome financial barriers to enroll in the program in Australia but also spend more time experiencing the culture and extracurricular actives of Sydney rather than focusing on funding.

Professionally, I want to participate in an internship in a local medical facility. This will allow me to learn about and experience medicine abroad. I also want to learn about the unique architecture and landscape in Sydney. I look forward to visiting places like the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach.