The King's School (Parramatta, Australia) : Bradley Long

I was very high up and very far from home. Standing atop the Sydney Harbor Bridge taking in one of the most spectacular views I will ever see, I had the realization that it was almost over. In two days I would be on a plane over the Pacific Ocean on my way home. I couldn't help but look back on the past three weeks and remember the incredible experience that I had enjoyed. Tomorrow would be the last chance to see all the new friends I had made and to make the bus trip to and from the King's School once more. The sun began to set over the Parramatta River and I knew that unfortunately all good things must come to an end. I had not known what to expect when I arrived in Sydney three weeks earlier and I was quite nervous about what was to come. I can honestly look back now and say that the trip shattered any expectations I had and I am thankful for the opportunity I had to take this journey.


 The First Week

 When I arrived in Sydney after a full day of travel, I was groggy and confused but I knew I  needed to push through the obvious jet lag to get through the tough first day. I was picked up at the airport by my host parents, Elizabeth and Peter Tugwell who quickly and hospitably welcomed me not only into their home but also into their family. I arrived at the King's School in Parramatta not long after I had touched down. I met my host brothers Will, a Year 11, and James, a Year 8, as well as Sam Black, my guide at King's. I was immediately welcomed by everyone at King's and was shocked at how eager everyone was to simply meet me, the American. I shouldn't have been surprised after seeing the way we treat our exchange students, but it still caught me off guard the first time I was asked if I play guitar and sing country music. The first week of my trip absolutely flew past as I got to meet all of the boys at King's and settled into the rhythm of daily life there. The highlight of that first week was definitely the spectacular light show I was able to see in downtown Sydney. It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen.



Week 2

 



Waterfall in the Blue Mountains

One of my favorite experiences occurred over a long weekend celebrating the Queen's birthday. I spent the weekend with another family from King's, the Bartons, who lived on a farm about 5 hours away from Sydney. It was a wonderful change of pace to see a completely different side of Australia and learn about the rural lifestyle. I got to ride ATVs, play golf, and hunt kangaroos (didn't kill one but still). The country was absolutely beautiful and I am really glad I got to visit both the roiling plains and the Blue Mountains in the area. Upon returning to school I got to play in my first rugby game and came out relatively unscathed. Rugby became one of the things I most looked forward to for the rest of the trip.














Week 3

During the third week of the trip, we got to spend a day at a local zoo. Unlike American zoos theirs had animals wandering around in an open area where visitors could simply walk up to kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, and emus. I sampled Australian food staples like fish and chips, sausage rolls, and meat pies. I got to attend a professional rugby match at the Olympic stadium in Sydney and learned a lot about how it is actually supposed to be played. The highlight of the week was definitely the rugby match on the weekend. Joined by my fellow MBA compatriots, I ventured to one of King's rival schools to defend our honor. Though we were unable to achieve victory, we emerged covered head-to-toe in mud, always smiling. It was one of the best moments of the trip and I loved the camaraderie we had with our friends at King's. 


A muddy day at the rugby pitch



The iconic Opera House

Week 4

The final several days brought some of the busiest times of the trip. I spent a day with my host family visiting some of the beautiful beaches around Sydney (though it was too cold to swim). I also spent one final day in the city with Kevin and Furman as we visited the Opera House and saw all of the sights. The trip all culminated in the climactic bridge climb that left us looking out over the city we had called home for the past three weeks. Looking back now I couldn't have imagined a much more exciting, memorable experience. I met so many great people and saw countless things I will never forget. Every moment was one that I will cherish for the rest of my life and I am sincerely grateful for the experience I had.

I want to thank several people for making this trip possible. First of all, I thank Mrs. Warner and Mr. Gioia for making this trip a possibility in the first place. I would also like to thank everyone at King's for their hospitality and amicability, especially Sam Black for making me feel at home immediately. Finally I want to extend my sincerest thanks to the Tugwell family for welcoming me into their home and their life for three of the best weeks of my life. 




Goodbye Sydney

"No we don't ride kangaroos"