CAPA WORLD

In this post, CAPA Alumna Lilly shares 5 things you must do when you study abroad in Sydney!

Last spring, I studied and interned in Sydney, Australia with CAPA. It was the best experience and I created so many amazing memories. While there, I got to become a local and explore every inch of Sydney. I wanted to share five places and experiences that I enjoyed the most and highly recommend to anyone spending time in Sydney.

Yes, CAPA global cities are bursting with people from around the globe and are inevitably busy places. They're also home to some pretty amazing quieter spaces too that give the introverts among us a chance to recharge and perhaps discover another, more peaceful, side of a bustling metropolis. We recommend picking up a copy of a book called Quiet Barcelona by Siobhan Wall before you go. It’s packed full of ideas, but here are 10 of our personal favorite ways to recharge in the city.

In this post, CAPA Alumna Jordan talks about some of her favorite things about studying abroad in Sydney.

In Sydney, I worked 20 hours a week while also taking 9 credits. Although our schedules were busy, finding time to explore the city was essential. Some things that really stood out to my classmates and I about Sydney were the amazing healthy food options, beautiful beaches, the Blue Mountains, Luna Park, the Sydney Opera House during Vivid, and so much more!

Mariah is an official CAPA blogger, sharing her story on CAPA World. A Journalism major at SUNY Purchase College, she is studying abroad in London.

In today's post, Mariah talks about the time she went on a CAPA London excursion to the Roman Baths and learned about its history and relevance.

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CAPA hosts several excursions and My Global City events to help us explore the beautiful and vibrant city of London. One such event was the trip to the Roman Baths.

The Roman Baths is located in the English City of Bath. It’s a preserved Roman site for public bathing. In ancient times, bathing was a common daily activity that was practiced through all of the different social classes

Michaella Estevez is an official CAPA vlogger, sharing her story in weekly posts on CAPA World. A Marketing major at University of Massachusetts Amherst, she is studying abroad in Florence this semester.

In this today's post, Michaella takes us on a trip to Capri and shows us the beautiful nature and scenic views of the island.

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Thanks Michaella!

See more of Michaella's journey in Florence.

Sydney Alderman is an official CAPA blogger, sharing her story on CAPA World. A Marketing and Global Management major at the University of Pittsburgh, she is studying abroad in Sydney.

In today's post, Sydney lists 10 things she learned from the Roar and Snore overnight experience at Taronga Zoo (with a view) in Sydney.

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One of the excursions that was included in the CAPA Sydney program inclusion is an overnight trip to Taronga Zoo, also known as the Roar and Snore experience. This included a night safari through the zoo after hours, a view of the sunrise over the city, an up-close and personal experience with some reptiles, elephants, hippos, kangaroos, seals (and more), and tons of interesting facts about the zoo and its animals. I think what’s so cool is that you can go from a huge city, across a bull-shark infested harbor, and *BAM* there’s a place with the largest collection of native and exotic animals in New South Wales and over 2,000 rare and endangered animals. Following are some of the facts that I learned and found interesting.

Zoo with a view!

1. CRYO ZOO

The Taronga Zoo is using a technique called cryopreservation (aka freezing) in order to save over 100,000 coral pulps and spores in case the Great Barrier Reef continues to decay, and they need to restore it. SO COOL.

Sydney Alderman is an official CAPA blogger, sharing her story on CAPA World. A Marketing and Global Management major at the University of Pittsburgh, she is studying abroad in Sydney.

In this week's post, Sydney recommends several things to do and places to visit and eat around the neighborhood of Ultimo in Sydney. 

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Now that I’ve been in Sydney for a little bit, I know my way around a few parts of the city, including Ultimo, the my neighborhood. One thing that the neighborhood has is the main campus for the University of Technology Sydney. One of the main buildings, the UTS Tower, is very recognizable due to its’ height and large UTS sign at the top of the building, and fortunately for me and the other CAPA students, only about a block from our residence. During our first few weeks here when we were figuring out our way around, we were able to look up for that tower and use it to find our bearings and help us make sure we were going in the right direction to get home. Ultimo also has the largest TAFE campus in New South Wales, which is also super close to my apartment and includes the CAPA Sydney building where I take classes.

A breakfast sandwich from Fork and Grind

As for food, one of my favorite places to eat (so far) and hands down one of the best cafes I’ve ever been to is in Ultimo. Behold, Fork and Grind. If I could franchise it and put it on my campus in Pittsburgh I would spend all of my savings and do it in a heartbeat. Because it’s so close to home and classes, we go pretty often, and I promise I have thoroughly sampled their menu.

Kelly is an official CAPA blogger, sharing her story on CAPA World. A Journalism major at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, she is studying abroad in London.

In this week's post, Kelly talks more about the time she attended and networked at Cosmopolitan's Self-Made Summit in London and the takeaways she noted from the sessions.

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A chance to meet the Cosmopolitan UK team and chat with 400 like-minded people sounded like an event tailor-made to expanding my knowledge, accumulating advice from others, and furthering my career—all while having a good time.

While studying abroad in London, I had the opportunity to attend Cosmopolitan UK’s second Self-Made Summit. I discovered this event while reading the print version of the magazine and immediately knew it was something I had to get involved in. I’m so grateful that I was in London and had the chance to partake in the event.

Hannah Hardenbergh is an official CAPA blogger for summer 2018, sharing her story in weekly posts on CAPA World. An American History and Literature major at Harvard College, she is studying abroad in Florence this semester.

In this week's post, Hannah details her experiences with Florentines, representing Americans abroad, and attending the Palio di Siena race in Siena.

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As an American study abroad student, I was aware of how I would stick out in Florentine culture. During our CAPA orientation, we were warned that American students had unfortunately gained a negative reputation in Florence. For example, they are well-known for binge drinking at the bars at night and getting perhaps too out of control. We learned that Italians have a different approach about drinking, and it is a part of their culture to enjoy good wine and alcohol with food. My roommates and I were determined to be mindful as we represented ourselves abroad.

I bought a neckerchief for the Contrada della Oca—the house of the Goose.
Siena's streets are divided by each neighborhood, or contrada, in different sections around Piazza del Campo.

Aside from this, I knew I would be representing Americans more generally abroad too, and I was therefore more conscious of how I acted compared to Italians, and to other American tourists visiting the city.

Zachery Burnham is an official CAPA vlogger for summer 2018, sharing his story in weekly posts on CAPA World. A Finance major at  Champlain College, he is studying abroad in Shanghai this semester.

In this week's post, Zachery lists 10 places you need to visit while studying abroad in Shanghai, including several free and low-cost options.

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Thanks, Zachery!

Zachery's journey continues so stay tuned.