Since I arrived in Australia, I have realized two things.

Australia is incredibly similar to the United States.

Australia is incredibly different from the United States.

This is my ongoing theme for my writing, and I hope to develop on both aspects so as to create a comprehensive image of  the cultural differences and likenesses that is held by these two countries, and even more so, how people of all origins are similar and different.

When I arrived in Australia, I luckily was picked up at the airport by a driver that was provided for me by the international house. On the way over he answered any questions I had, but generally steered the conversation towards Australia’s manufactured cars. He seemed more interested in cars than anything, reminded me of my uncle back home.

When I got to the international house, I was handed a packet of information I would need, and my room keys. When I got to my room, I was surprised, because the room was large, came with a nice bed, nice desk and a nice closet. Everything I needed.  Since I’ve been here, I’ve learned how the “colleges” here are most closely related to Fraternities/ Sororities back home. The main difference is that they are co-ed and that their is a much simpler selection process. However, the sense of community here is much greater than in dorms in America, and the college here puts huge emphasis on the comfort and social wellbeing of the residents. They plan social events, and have inter college sporting events. So at first I was amazed at all that the colleges here offered, but then I realized that their was a huge competition between all the colleges on campus.  I am very glad I was able to live in college here, because it expedited the process of meeting new people and making friends.  I am also very thankful that I was able to stay at the international house, because I’ve been able to meet so many people from different cultures, and they have showed me how small my world was. More on that later.

Whenever I first got here, I was confused by the process of scheduling classes, mostly because of the terms they used for them, but once I got familiarized with the different words used, I was able to schedule and attend my classes without a problem. I can’t speak for all of the Universities in Australia, but as far the University of Queensland goes, it seems that their is more emphasis on the understanding of the course as the whole, as opposed to focusing on assignments. All of my classes have at least one paper due, and some have smaller assignments, but the majority of the grades come from the final exam. Other than this, the structure of the classes is very similar to that of my home institution. I’ll write more on individual classes as I feel compelled, but I’m happy with all of my professors so far, they all seem comfortable teaching.

The University offers many things to the students, just as accommodating if not more so than back home. There is a wide range of clubs, societies and activities that are affiliated with the university. I have decided to join the wakeboarding club and the boxing club and the Quest society. The Quest society is pretty much a club for student that like to have fun.

“Hey, I like to have fun”  ”Me too!”  ”Let’s start a club, we can call it Quest”

I plan on going on the trip they have planned for Byron Bay, thanks to my great blog sponsor. I would probably have joined more clubs, but the international House has so many activities planned, that I don’t know if I would be able to really immerse myself in the club activities the way I would like to.

I am going to be participating in the International House’s basketball club team. We will compete against all the other colleges here. I’ve heard that basketball is a much rougher sport in Australia than it is in America, and the refs are much more hesitant to call fouls. Hope that works out. Luckily we have a a pretty solid team, with a 6′8 guy on center. We aren’t polished at all, but with a couple of weeks of practice we should be able to hold our own. I’m very glad for this opportunity, because while there are club teams back at home, none of them were part of a league that seemed to have much popularity, but because the league here is against all the other colleges, I feel like I’m part of something special, and I don’t think this opportunity would come up back home.

Since everything in Australia is very expensive, I’ve decided to get a job. The whole process is not at all like getting a job in America. In America, at least for most jobs students do, you just fill out an application. In Australia, since the pay rate is higher (I guess), they make you turn in a resume with reference and past work experience. Luckily I got a job working at a place where I just asked if they needed some help and they gave it to to me. Since I’ve been working there, I’ve been amazed at how similar restaurants run, regardless of being on different continents. The process of cleaning, cooking, organizing and prepping is practically the same. I’ve picked up on everything I’m supposed to be doing, I guess because I had been working so much back home. Sav( the owner) said that he would be able to get me up on the line asap and get me more shifts. Sav and I talked for a bit, I really loved talking to him. He was very humble, and he said he had been working in restaurants since he could. We connected on work ethic, and he said his uncle’s had traveled to the states before, and that he had family in new jersey, he just never had the chance to go. He’s only 24 and owns the restaurant, but what I found really impressive is that he worked every day of the week. He enjoys the work that he does, and he works more than he has to, and I find that really honorable.

I went to the Ekka carnival here today. It’s exactly like the state fair in my home state of South Carolina. Everyone gets a day off and everything. All the rides don’t compare to the rides back home, but the food, exhibits and pricing are the exact same. I somehow found a way to spend 60 dollars, good thing I have a job right? I was forced to do the hit the hammer game. The game, which I’m pretty sure originates in America, is structured so that if you are able to hit a rubber mallet in the center of a metal block hard enough than you win a prize. I was watching it, the whole time thinking, ” I wanna try that so bad” followed by ” I know I won’t win if do”. So, as logic was prevailing, the guy running the booth saw my intent stare, and shouted the ominous words “Come on lad, take off your skirt and give it a shot” So, after he said that, I of course did the careful, wise thing, and complied. Luckily a huge crowd had gathered by the time I had stepped up. As I became aware of the crowd watching me, the more and more confident I became. Adrenaline surged through my veins. I lifted the mallet, and swung with great force. I got a 70. You needed a score in the 120+ area to win. Games man 1, Zach 0.   But as someone smart said once, I’d rather fail horribly than never know how I would have done. So that was a learning experience. Overall, Ekka was a fun time, just don’t spend your money on arbitrary activities.