Welcome to Julie’s Australian Holiday Diary: the travel tales of a 20-year-old from the Netherlands who’s flown to Sydney, Australia on a Working Holiday visa. In each episode, she’ll be sharing what life is like living, working and travelling in Australia. From how to meet new people, to what it’s like living in a backpacker hostel, to her favourite Sydney experiences… Julie will share it all! Let’s dive into Episode One…
From The Netherlands to Sydney, Australia
The day I moved to Sydney my life flipped 360 degrees around. All of a sudden, I was living and working in a new city with new people and new impressions 24/7. While writing this, I have been living in Sydney for 2 months and I would not turn a single thing around. It has brought me so much, and even though there are some days that go by slowly, I enjoy it all.
Back home, I’m currently studying International Tourism Management at the University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, and I also have a part-time job. Here in Sydney, I’m living the Aussie life, while also doing an internship with Wake Up! Hostels, learning new things every day. Most of the time I am working in the operations of the front office (Reception) and back office (Marketing), but I also get to experience Sydney when I am off work.
How To Meet New People As A Backpacker In Australia
Since you can find me (almost) 24/7 in and around the hostel, I force myself to socialise and step out of my comfort zone. Looking back, it has been so easy to connect with others. Being surrounded by so many people with the same passion and interests is so fulfilling. You can feel that everyone wants to make friends and no one looks at you weirdly when you step up to introduce yourself and have a short conversation.
I often go out with people I have met only a few minutes prior. If I knew how easy it would be to make friends before arriving here, it would not have been necessary to constantly worry about it. Especially when you are sharing a dorm with others, it is so easy to connect and eventually make memories together. One time I went to Side Bar and ended up dancing with two girls from Sydney all night. Another time I met a British traveller during the weekly Monday Pizza Night (a must-visit!) and we ended up dancing all night long together.
Especially during my first days, I met a lot of people. Of course, I’ve become friends with fellow Dutchies, but also many more travellers with different nationalities. I have met almost all of them through participating in the hostel-organised activities. At Wake Up! Sydney Central and at the other Wake Up! Hostels in Bondi Beach and Byron Bay, there is a weekly program filled with (free) activities. For example, at Wake Up! Central we have a free pizza evening, a Coogee to Bondi Beach Walk, a pub crawl, a wine and cheese night, and a lot of other fun social activities. And even when I am in my room to relax, I can still get to know my roomies. I currently share a room with a Swedish, British, Australian and Colombian girl.
My Favourite Moments From My First Month In Sydney
It’s a classic one, but the moment I got to see the Opera House I realised that I just made such a life-changing decision. Overlooking the Harbour Bridge and the scenic skyline was such a special moment. From there on, I truly started my Australian adventure and have made a lot of special memories.
One of my other favourite activities was leading Wake Up’s Beach Walk from Coogee to Bondi. Every week, an average of 80 Wake Up! guests join the walk. Starting off at the hostel, we take them to the first beach by public transport. From there, we explore a total of 7 beaches with the guests. While taking pictures and enjoying the views, the guests get the opportunity to connect with others and make new friends. During these walks, I really got to step outside of my comfort zone and meet other like-minded people. All the people who you meet during your travels will define such a big part of your experience, mainly in a good way.
Some of my other favourite memories and things I’ve done in Sydney so far are:
- Taking the ferry from Darling Harbour to Circular Quay when the sun sets
- Going on a beach walk in the Manly area
- Crossing the Harbour Bridge
- Joining a city pub crawl with fellow Dutchies
- Going on a day trip to the Blue Mountains
- Strolling around Chinatown and Surry Hills
- Becoming part of a multicultural team
- Practicing my skills in a real working environment
My Insider Diary: What’s Next
To take you along with my feelings and experience in Sydney, Australia, I have put together a set of episodes to release during my internship period. All sides of the hostel life, from meeting strangers, making memories and working in the same building will be summarised in these episodes. Stay tuned for my next Episode, or keep up to date by signing up to our monthly newsletter (below) and following us on Instagram.
About Julie Eikelenboom
Hi fellow travellers! I am Julie Eikelenboom, a 20-year-old travel enthusiast, who is ready to explore all the ins -and outs of the Work Holiday Visa in Australia. I am currently doing my internship, while also creating plans to travel Australia. Next to travelling, I love dancing, meeting new people, chatting for hours, and checking off all items on my bucket list. Want to know more? Let’s keep in touch through @julieeikelenboom