Great Expectations
What expectations do I have for Australia huh? Well, my time here is almost half over so I suppose it's strange to talk about my expectations now. I can say that two months ago I could never have imagined the person who is sitting here writing "what I expect to get out of my time here." Academically, as a history major I expected to gain some knowledge about both Australia as well as Indigenous Australia, because I had none. Well two months later, I am no expert-but I have definitley learned heaps (yep Australian term) of things I know I never could have at home. Especially visiting Aboriginal sites of importance for a class-that was awesome. I am so interested in Aboriginal culture and I can't even begin to describe how many amazing things I've seen and learned about it.
But sure, I came here (as I know we all did) for the academic as well as the cultural experience. I know I know...I'm only in Australia...how much culturally different could it be right? Wrong. I never imagined the differences that I would find here. I can honestly say that the first day I took the bus into town and went on a quest for supplies at the "mall"(that is not what they call it here)-I was in culture shock. This is not something I ever expected to experience here, but there are just so many little unexpected things (too many to write about here) that make you go "hmmm? ok...this is def. different at home".
I expected exactly what is portrayed in my photo. I knew Australia was going to have some pretty awesome beaches...and I couldn't wait for that-and believe me my expectations have not been let down-but I did not expect that my life was going to do a complete 180 here. The entire lifestyle is probably as opposite to home as it gets. "No Worries." I hear that 50 times a day-and believe me they really live by it. I am a highstrung person and back at Allegheny I always have to have a plan or be doing something, and am always stressed out. Here, I have become so much more relaxed. I have literally almost zero stress in my life, and I've found that this is the norm for almost everyone here.
Tomorrow I am leaving for spring break. We are taking a 10 day trek down the east coast. We rented a car and are camping, staying in hostels and driving unbelievable amounts of hours a day. We have no plan. We are stopping wherever we feel like. I have never done anything like this in my life and you know what? I think it's going to be awesome. After all, as the saying goes, "No worries, mate."