what am i doing?
a packing series
planning my life for the next 5 months (renting an apartment)
Myself and two friends are on a mission to find the perfect place in Sydney. Let me give you the lowdown on the rollercoaster ride of our search and negotiation process with hosts.
Before anything, we knew we wanted a home with that Aussie beach house feeling, as well as being well located and safe. We then became familiar with the map of Sydney and the smaller suburbs around it. We fell in love with neighborhoods like Coogee, Randwick, Waverley, Ultimo, and Bondi. So, we set our budget, decided on a location, and got to work. We scoured every homestay platform we could find, Airbnb, VRBO, etc.
After we narrowed down our choices, we dove into the back-and-forth with the hosts. The goal was to find a host who seemed friendly, responsive, and willing to accommodate us.
We made a point to be super clear about what we needed. Three girls studying abroad need some space. We asked about the number of beds, the availability of a decent kitchen (because we're all about those homemade dinners), and of course, the all-important Wi-Fi because assignments don't write themselves…
The Art of Negotiation
We often respectfully asked if there was any wiggle room on the price. Sometimes, hosts were open to it, especially as we were booking for an extended period. As we were hashing out the details, we also kept our eyes peeled for any hidden costs – cleaning fees, security deposits, or any extras that could sneak up.
Finally, we reached a consensus with a host who seemed cool and was ready to accommodate our requests. The process wasn't always smooth sailing, but the end result was 100% worth it. We snagged a place relatively close to our university, with all the essentials, and an unbeatable location, Bondi Beach. We can already picture ourselves doing early morning walks for coffee and studying with a view of the water.
So there you have it, the Airbnb accommodations are set, and we're one step closer to our Sydney study-abroad journey.
packing
There's no denying the excitement, but packing? That's a whole other story. Allow me to share with you the excitement (and sometimes anxiety) that comes with preparing for this once-in-a-lifetime trip.
First things first: when it comes to my wardrobe, I'm attempting to find a balance between style and comfort. You know how it is— you want to look good, but I'm not going to haul my whole closet across the globe. A combination of basics like t-shirts, jeans, comfy sneakers, bikinis (those Aussie beaches are calling), and a few fancy dresses for those special nights out in Sydney.
Amidst all this packing turmoil, I'm trying to keep in mind that I can always pick up stuff there in case I forget anything crucial. This is, after all, an adventure - a comprehensive learning experience in every sense.
With a heart full of enthusiasm and a luggage full of ambitions, here's to my voyage down under!