Before I left for Australia in July, I made a joke that it would probably be the farthest point away I could get from my hometown in New York. Turns out, Melbourne, which is just a two hour flight from my study abroad location of the Gold Coast, is the farthest point in the world from my hometown, at approximately 10,000 miles. It was quite a shock, to realize that anywhere else in the world I could even think to go would be closer than the place I would be spending the next 4 months of my college life in.
I was asked often, by family and friends, why Australia? And in all honesty, I didn’t have a great answer. It’s far, has cultural similarities with the U.S, and might not feel as exciting, or different, than France or Italy. It takes a lot to get here, financially and physically, for what might seem similar to a destination just hours away. But upon arrival in the Gold Coast, I realized my answer to that question.
Australia does share many similarities with the U.S. But it’s the unique, differing perspective on these cultural similarities that have brought me to a greater discovery of my personal values. For example, Australia has very similar work and corporate culture. People still wear suits, they have a five day work week, and areas like Melbourne or Sydney might feel indistinguishable from Manhattan or Chicago. But those people wearing suits also surf on the weekends. They take plenty of time with their family, and make sure to not overwork. They get their coffee from their neighborhood cafe, not Starbucks.
Australia is far. The farthest point I could possibly go. And yet we still share so many of the same lifestyles, thoughts, opinions, and emotions. But their are subtle interpretations to these moments that make it entirely worth the flight. It’s challenged my perspective, and granted me a viewpoint that isn’t wildly different than what I had. But it is becoming better.
