First things First!

So I've got my visa and I've got my ticket...which means This is Really Happening!

I ended up going with the Working Holiday Visa because it was a perfect fit. It is meant for young travelers who want to live and work in Australia for up to a year and that would be me! I had no idea how long it would take to get a visa, but once I sent it to the immigration office I heard back within a day saying I was approved. And the rule is that on the day that you are given your visa, you must enter Australia no later than 3 months after...so that means August 22nd. So I bought my ticket for August 10th and I leave Charleston August 1st.

It is hard to believe this chapter in my life is over. I swear I just moved to Charleston! But that was actually 4 years ago...really, where does the time go? I will be so sad to say goodbye to this place and all my friends that have made college so memorable. Graduation was beautiful and so exciting! I am so glad that I chose Charleston to be my home for my college years. Crazy to think that this next year of my life will be spent literally on the other side of the world!

Me, Graduating. Crazy! (photo by: Dad Rogers--thanks Dad!)

I leave in two months and there is so much to consider before I leave. I'm gonna have to pack for a year! How on earth is that possible, I can't seem to pack enough for just a weekend trip. The seasons are reverse from ours, so when I arrive it will be the beginning of Spring. Which means I am escaping Winter! Perfectly okay with me :) I decided that Sydney would be the best area for me to travel to first. It seems to be a good place to start.

I am looking into staying with a host family for several months to get acquainted with living in a new country. As of now I am talking to several families and trying to figure out which is the best fit. They are all located in surrounding cities of Sydney (all about a 15-30 min commute). All families seem so nice and it will be hard to pick! I think it will come down to location. Which brings me to my next thing to consider...work. My ultimate would be to work at a label or management company in the music biz, but those kind of jobs generally require residency. So I figure I could try and work at a music venue. There is this place called The Basement that I have my eye on right now. It's located in the heart of Sydney and is a restaurant/bar with bands playing every night of the week! I emailed them, but have yet to hear back. I think searching for a job will be much easier once I am actually there. But I just want to make sure that I have a good grasp of what Sydney has to offer before I arrive.

This is what I have to look forward to...the beautiful city of Sydney, Australia.