Approaching the halfway point of my trip is very bittersweet. I have met some great people and seen some great beaches, including Bondi Beach, Coogee Beach, and Seven Mile Beach. I’ve definitely adjusted to the time difference, though it has been difficult to stay in touch with people from home. I even got to celebrate my 20th birthday here!

Over the last three weeks, I’ve been reflecting on the ways I’ve connected with this new city and the subtle challenges in immersing myself fully in the culture. 

One of the more noticeable differences has been through language, even though both Americans and Australians speak English. I find this most apparent at work, given that I am spending eight hours at a time with at most one American. For example, “french fries” are called “chips” and “ketchup” is called “tomato sauce.” It was stressful at first to be met with a blank stare when ordering in a confusing way, but I was quickly able to adjust my vocabulary. Another minor adjustment has been crossing the street since Australians drive on the left side of the road. I’ve gotten used to looking right first instead of left. While these are minor differences, it shows how ingrained our cultural habits are.

The strategies I’ve used to understand these cultures are simple in nature, but go a long way. Not only does it help me feel less awkward when making cultural mistakes, but it also helps me fully immerse myself in Sydney’s culture, and improve my overall experience. Asking questions is a great way to better understand people and norms. I have found that most people are very willing to talk about their experiences and love talking about themselves. 

I also found that the program directors and professors abroad have been a great resource in navigating cross cultural encounters. Given that they have dedicated their profession to making students feel comfortable in a foreign country, they were very understanding and helpful. They even quizzed us on Australian slang and introduced us to new snacks. 

Overall, Sydney has been a great experience and has made me a more open-minded individual. I can’t wait for the next three weeks!