Bittersweet

Smiling person with long dark hair, wearing a light-colored shirt indoors. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.
Dorianne Ma
 July 23, 2015
Cliff

I can tell you right now that I'm probably going to cry while writing this. We leave on Saturday, and I know I am going to miss everyone here so much. A huge, huge thank you obviously has to go out to Matt and Kristen for organizing everything and to IES for giving me this amazing opportunity. I am eternally grateful to them.

But you know, I'm grateful for a lot of things that happened in Sydney, so it's only appropriate that I make a list...

1)All the crazy wonderful people that I met.

A group of people standing in front of a tour bus in a dusty outback setting. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(The group in the Outback)

Group hiking on a red dirt trail, surrounded by green foliage and rocky hills. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Addie, Katie, and I)

1. Five people hiking on a dirt path in a rocky landscape. 2. Group of nine women smiling indoors at night. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Addie, Sarah, Liza, Katie W., Kat, Morgan, Emily, Katie M., and me)

Sunset sky over Sydney with people relaxing on a grassy hill. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Shannon, Katie, Addie, Andrew, and me)

1. People hiking on a dirt path in a rocky landscape. 2. Group of friends smiling in a dimly lit room. 3. People relaxing on a grassy hill during sunset. 4. Two people sitting on a hill, watching a colorful sunset. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Katie and me)

1. Hikers with backpacks walking on a dirt path in the outback. 2. Group of women posing indoors, smiling together. 3. People lying on a grassy hill at sunset, overlooking water. 4. Two women on a hill, watching a sunset over the city. 5. Two women smiling with wind in their hair under clear skies. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Kat and I)

People sitting on steps in front of Sydney Opera House, smiling on a clear day. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Addie and I)

People sitting on steps outside Sydney Opera House. Group posing at Uluru during sunset. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(The group at Uluru)

I know that some of these are repeat pictures, but there are probably going to be so many pictures in this post that I think I'll be okay. I just wanted to say the biggest thank you to this crazy group of people. Thank you for making me laugh every day in class. Thank you for listening to me complain. Thank you for putting up with my weird attitude, for letting me freak out, for getting endless amounts of food with me and never judging, for hanging out in cafes, in parks, on the bus, and most importantly, thank you for being the greatest summer squad I could have ever hoped for. I came in to this experience knowing nobody, and I am so extremely grateful for all of you making this the best experience I've ever had. Thank you. 

2)James and Emma were the nicest professors I have ever met and I'm so glad that I got the opportunity to learn from them.

3)All of the ridiculous Sydney food, especially Oasis cafe where the lady knew me and my order because I would go in before class most days.

4)The incredible Sydney sky...

Sydney Harbour Bridge at sunset, dramatic clouds reflecting on the water. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Harbour Bridge at Sunset)

Opera House steps with two people, sunset horizon with city silhouette, Uluru group photo. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Sunset at Observatory Hill)

Sydney skyline at sunset with vibrant clouds and silhouetted buildings. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Bondi Sky)

1. Two people sitting on steps with the Sydney Opera House in the background. 2. Group of people posing in front of Uluru at sunset. 3. Colorful sunset over a city skyline and water. 4. Coastal view with buildings on the left and a wide sky. 5. Waterfront with yachts, buildings, and streetlights at dusk. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Darling Harbour)

Urban skyline at twilight, buildings silhouetted against purple and pink sky. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Right by school)

I mean, come on, is this sky not absolutely incredible? There's no way that the sky in my hometown can even compare...

4)The amazing sights and experiences that IES organized

Person sitting on cliff overlooking expansive forested valley beneath blue sky. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Blue Mountains)

Pink and blue sunset behind city buildings. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Alice Springs on our way to Uluru)

Silhouetted hikers on a sunny outback trail with rocky cliffs. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Hiking King's Canyon)

1. Skyscrapers silhouetted against a vibrant twilight sky. 2. People posing atop a "Welcome to Alice Springs" sign. 3. Hikers on a rocky trail during a sunny day. 4. Uluru rock formation under a clear blue sky. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Uluru)

1. Purple and blue sunset over city buildings. 2. Group of people on a "Welcome to Alice Springs" sign. 3. Hikers on a rocky path with bright sun. 4. Uluru rock formation under blue sky. 5. Coastal landscape with grass and ocean. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Royal National Park Cliffs)

Coastal landscape with clear blue sky, palm tree, and calm water reflecting the beach and cliffs. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Royal National Park Beach)

Night view of a city skyline at sunset, sky in orange and blue hues. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Sydney Tower Sunset)

5)The ocean

1. Cove with calm water, surrounded by greenery and a palm tree under a clear blue sky. 2. City skyline at dusk, lit buildings beneath a colorful sunset sky. 3. Person sitting on a cliff, overlooking a vast, green mountain range and blue sky. 4. Sydney Harbour Bridge silhouetted against a dramatic, cloudy sunset. 5. Rocky shoreline with turquoise water, surrounded by dense trees. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Cove)

Person sitting on a cliff edge overlooking the ocean with a fishing line. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Cliff)

Rocky cliff with person fishing above ocean, clear blue sky. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Surfing at Bondi)

Person sitting on cliff edge above ocean, fishing. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

(Manly Beach)

And so so much more but this post is already way, way too long. Overall, I'm just extremely grateful that I was given this opportunity to study abroad in this absolutely gorgeous and amazing country. Words cannot describe the amazing sights and experiences that Sydney offered. I'm a little in denial that I'm leaving soon, but I also know that this is in no way a permanent goodbye.

Sydney, I love you. Australia, you're amazing. Thank you for everything, and I cannot wait to see you again.

 

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Smiling person with long dark hair, wearing a light-colored shirt indoors. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

Dorianne Ma

<p>Hello there! My name is Dorianne Ma and I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, USA. I love to travel, eat, and explore. I&#39;m content in both the loud blaring of the city, as well as the quiet whisper of the country. I&#39;d love for you to explore with me!</p>

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Northwestern University
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