It’s finally happening. After nearly a year of planning, booking flights, and trying to explain to my friends why I’ll be missing the spring semester at USC, I’m leaving for Australia tomorrow. It still feels surreal to me, but at the same time, I know I’m beyond ready for this. Five months of surfing, exploring, meeting new people, and fully immersing myself in a completely different environment—it’s exactly what I need right now.
Packing Light, Except for the Shoes
Packing for this trip was easier than I expected, mostly because I already know how to travel light. Between touring with my band and years of surf trips, I’ve gotten good at fitting my life into a duffel bag. This time, though, it's for a whole semester. I was able to fit all of my belongings in one suitcase, and my laptop and other various items in my backpack. Weirdly enough, the shoes threw me off. Somehow, I ended up bringing flip-flops, sneakers, hiking boots, running shoes, and dress shoes—more than I’d usually take anywhere. I packed a quality camera as well, to pursue a side-quest teaching myself photography while I travel ‘down undah’. With the exception of this post, I hope to include specific photographs taken on that camera in the rest of the blogs I write. What I’m not bringing is a guitar. This was especially tough for me because I see my guitar as an extension of myself—an extra limb/organelle that I need to use daily. I figured it would be easier (and cheaper) to buy a used one in Australia and sell it before I leave, rather than risk traveling with mine. The one thing I couldn’t leave behind? My surfboards. I packed two in a padded board bag, stuffing some extra clothes in there for cushioning and to save space.
Surf, Rugby, and Saying Yes
The waves are a huge part of this trip for me. I’ve surfed in cold New England winters, where the only thing between me and frostbite is a thick wetsuit, and I’ve chased waves in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and all along the Eastern seaboard of the US… but the Gold Coast has been on my list for a long time. Perfect reef-broken waves, warm water filled with sealife, and no need for a wetsuit—it’s going to be unreal.
I’m also stoked to play rugby while studying in Sydney. I’ve had Aussies and Kiwis as coaches and teammates in the past, and I know firsthand how passionate they are about the sport. Getting to be part of that culture is something I’m really looking forward to. But more than anything, I’m excited for that travel mindset—when everything is new, every street and dirt road feels like an adventure, and every opportunity feels worth taking. There’s something about being in a place for the first time that changes the way you see the world. You say yes more often, you push yourself into the unknown, and you come out with experiences you never could have planned for. For the next five months, I get to live in that state of mind.
The Food, The History, The Long Flight
Beyond surfing and rugby, I’m eager to explore the cultural side of Australia. The food scene fascinates me—the combination of fresh, grass-fed meats, tropical fruits, and the fusion of British and Asian influences is something I can’t wait to dive into. I also want to learn more about Aboriginal history and culture while I’m there, something that often gets overlooked in the broader historical narrative of Australia.
Right now, though, the only thing standing between me and paradise is a 32-hour journey. It will surely be the longest trip I have ever taken. I’ve got layovers in Dallas and Brisbane before finally landing in Cairns for my orientation. After about 4 days in Cairns, I travel to Sydney to move in for good and get myself ready for the start of school. It’s going to be long, but I’ve got snacks, movies downloaded, and compression socks to keep me sane. Once I touch down, I know the exhaustion will be replaced by pure adrenaline. For now, I’m spending my last night with my family and counting down the hours until I take off. The next time I write, I’ll be on the other side of the world.
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