A daily dip at Bondi Beach, morning strolls whilst practicing Yolngu, a calmness and quietness about the air that seems to captivate just about anyone. If any or all of this sounds like it would be interesting to you, then Australia should be at the forefront of your mind when determining where to study abroad.
Junior Nixie Herlick knows just about everything there is to know about the place where she was born and decided to study for a semester during her time at Villanova. She is sure to serve as a valuable and reputable resource for our community.
If a Villanova student wishes to study abroad in Australia, they may opt to study at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), like Herlick did. UNSW is a highly ranked, research-based institution that places special emphasis on engineering, technology and business.
Spending the fall semester in Sydney is ideal, given that September kicks off the spring season locally with an extremely pleasant climate. According to Herlick, swimming and sunrise cultures known as Yolngu are distinctive parts of the local culture, and study-abroad students may find themselves spending a lot of time at the beautiful, iconic beaches of Australia. Manly, a suburb of northern Sydney, is particularly attractive to many visitors and locals alike, as well as the prominent Bondi Beach.
On Dec. 14, 2025, Bondi Beach was the site of the unthinkable terrorist attack killing fifteen people. Herlick, having experienced this firsthand from a house just minutes from the beach, described hearing the gunshots but thinking they were fireworks. She and the locals were shocked.
Things like that “do not happen in Australia,” Herlick said.
She described Bondi as a destination that “represents happiness and comfort for so many Australians, and it was a tragedy to see that being stripped away in those moments.”
Despite being exposed to the unthinkable tragedy that occurred, Herlick learned that Australians value every single moment of life. Herlick noticed how the local culture encourages its citizens and visitors alike to make the most of even the smallest things in life.
“When Aussies step out of the office, they mentally clock out of work too,” Herlick said.
The separation they establish between their work and social lives remains an aspect that truly allows them to indulge in the sweetness of Australian living. “Gratitude” is the best word Herlick could conjure to capture the Australian mentality.
Herlick would attend classes mostly in the morning, but noted that when studying abroad, it is important to learn how to use one’s time well. Local travel, for example, is often encouraged. Using Sydney as a hub, one can take trips to New Zealand or even Vietnam, as Herlick did. She explored the Ha Giang Loop in Vietnam, a motorbike route that winds through mountains and towns, giving any visitor a true feel for the country and its culture. Although it took planning and time, Herlick believes that traveling to these countries is certainly a highlight that one shouldn’t miss.
Given its location, studying abroad in Australia is not as common as studying abroad in Europe. That being said, it’s an exciting location that many people never have the opportunity to visit during their lifetime. Herlick made sure to use her time wisely. She encourages future students studying in Australia to say yes to everything and to try new experiences even if they seem outside their comfort zone.
“Go into it with a mindset that is open to new possibilities,” Herlick said. “The best way to grow is to put yourself somewhere incredibly foreign and far away. It is where you are bound to learn the most about yourself and the world.”
If you’re still debating whether or not a semester in Australia is right for you, Herlick encourages you to do as the Australians would: stop thinking and just go for the surf.
