“Exactly 11 months ago, I travelled 17,000km and landed down under, extremely anxious and excited at the same time. I had finally achieved one of the goals I had when applying to university: go on a year abroad in Australia.

As a destination, Sydney has so much to offer. Whether it is cafes, international food, pubs, bars, countless beaches and running tracks – it has everything for everyone.

From my cultural background and the environment in which I was brought up, perfectionism and stress was a daily normality. But in Australia, the golden laid back style alleviated my concerns. I fell in love with the healthy lifestyle right away.

A couple of months after my arrival, I started my first Australian travel journey up the East coast. I made friends for life and saw things I was so grateful to see – from wild koalas, wallabies and snakes, to the breathtaking crystal-clear Lake McKenzie, to skydiving in the Great Barrier Reef, the experiences went beyond my expectations. It was only the beginning, and I was already consumed by wanderlust and curiosity.

Each of my travels across Australia has left something inside me that I will never let go of: experiences, emotions, discovery and self-growth.

Overall, it has been a fantastic year I will soon have to leave behind. But I have already planned my ‘home’coming next year, if I can call Australia my second home.”

The road to Uluru (Ayers Rock), Northern Territory

Uluru (Ayers Rock), Northern Territory

Melbourne bathing boxes