I can’t believe I only have two months left in Australia! Despite my dwindling bank account, I would not trade this experience for the world. I have been able to travel to some of the most beautiful places in the world and submerse myself in different cultures and ways of life.
Although there are many different aspects of Australia that are unlike anything I’m used to back in the States, at times I find myself forgetting that I’m actually on the other side of the world. I think a large part of this stems from the fact that there is no language barrier. This factor in and of itself has made my transition into a different country much smoother and assimilating into the Australian lifestyle much easier.
Australians are known for their laidback, carefree attitude, which reflects in how many live their lives and operate on a daily basis. In many ways Melbourne reminds me of New York City in that it has tons of shops, restaurants, and people everywhere, but everyone here seems to not be in such of a rush. It is kind of refreshing! Cabs are replaced with public transit (trams), and tram stops can be found all over the city. Since I go to school about 30 minutes outside of the city, trams have been the most valuable mode of transportation.
I can honestly say I miss almost all of the food back home. I don’t know if I’m the only one (or just being picky), but I find that American food is much more flavorful and fulfilling. This could be because I am limited to what I buy because I’m a struggling college student trying to do every single thing possible in a new country, but it definitely is not the same. If anyone knows me, they know how much I like Ranch dressing, and here, Ranch basically doesn’t exist! One thing I do love, however, is the portion sizes. Although you pay more for smaller portions, the sizes are far more manageable and it is much easier to finish a meal without feeling overly stuffed. At home I can barely finish a meal because meals are never-ending.
The nightlife here in Melbourne has been great. There are tons of clubs and bars around the city that offer many different nightlife environments for everyone to find something they enjoy. ‘The Deck’ is one of my favorite bars because it offers stunning city views right in the heart of Melbourne. Every Tuesday night, all of the “Uni” kids (a.k.a. “United States students”) head to a bar called Stollies (reminds me of ‘Gator’s’ at JMU), where they serve $5 drinks and pizza. Thursday is “Uni night” on campus, and everyone heads to the Eagle bar, which is the bar located conveniently here on campus. At first, this was a bit of a shock, but without a doubt a great spot to catch up with friends and other University students. I’d say, Tuesday and Thursday nights are most popular for Uni students.
Australia has been everything and more! I have trips lined up within the next 2 months for Sydney, and Cairns/The Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s most treasured destination spots, and although at this time I can’t provide you with a personal experience of just how amazing it is in real life, I hope that my stories have given you enough inspiration to one day travel to the land down under.