Tell us about you!
Where did you study abroad?
Sydney, Australia
How did you choose your study abroad location?
I chose it through my business program.
Had you been out of the country before studying abroad? Do you speak the local language?
I have been out of the country and they speak english in Australia!
Did you plan anything ahead of time?
I spent a lot of time researching restaurants I wanted to try. They usually have a menu linked on their websites, and often in Australia, most restaurants have icons or note the allergens that dishes contain.
Did you have any concerns about traveling with food allergies?
I grew up for a couple of years in Singapore, so traveling all around Asia was difficult for my parents because of the communication barrier. I got very used to having an allergy card written out in multiple languages, and thank God I have never had to use my EpiPen. In Sydney, I was excited because I know it’s a city full of people with more dietary preferences, so I wasn’t nervous at all. Restaurants always asked about allergies or restrictions before ordering, and they always gave a precaution about cross-contamination.
What airline did you fly? How did you handle accommodations and airplane food?
I flew Delta. I usually don’t eat the food on the airplane. I’ll always pack a couple of MadeGood bars, freeze-dried fruit, or Chomps meat sticks.
Where did you live and how were meals handled?
I stayed in a student living apartment called Scape. We had a kitchenette in our room and bought food at the local grocery stores.
What are your 3 favorite places to eat in Sydney?
Raw Bar: Raw bar is my holy grail. They are the sweetest staff and always know what has changed on the menu. Very accommodating and Japanese is very manageable with allergies as well.
Pocket Bondi: The staff was very helpful and communicative with the chef. They were able to accommodate each item I ordered to my allergies.
bills: They had very helpful staff and were very educated on the menu.
For anyone with a sweet tooth, were there any special sweet finds like ice cream shops or bakeries?
Yo-Chi! This froyo is a Sydney classic. I got this weekly, and they have educated staff. They have vegan options, and none have egg. They also have toppings separate from the toppings bar to help limit cross-contamination.
What other places did you visit during your trip?
I traveled to Bali, Fiji, New Zealand, and Singapore, and then went to the Whitsundays and Byron Bay in Australia as well.
Besides the food, were there any fun experiences or favorite things you did?
The zoo, a beach day, the coastal walk from Coogee to Bondi, snorkeling, surfing, and wine tours.
