Life Down-Under!

             For many people, Australia is a dream location to visit, yet alone live in. The idea of this country seems extremely mysterious and inviting and many SUNY Cortland students have hopes of studying abroad there. Alaina Maine explained the "ins and outs" of living in Australia, as well as the similarities and differences of Australian culture to that of America's. Alaina's exciting recap of her time in Australia did not let us down!

Alaina Maine

SUNY Cortland, Senior

Psychology Major

Originally from Madison, NY

Describe what your surroundings are like, is your university near a big city? The beach? The desert? Many people have the image of beaches and vast deserts when imagining Australia. Do you think this image creation is correct?

Griffith University is right next to many coastal cities. It is also just a quick tram ride away from many beaches. Compared to Cortland this is a busy city area. Many people that envision beaches have the right image. At Griffith you are never too far from a beach. There are not any deserts near the school but if you have the time and money to go inland, then you can find deserts.

How different is the Australian culture compared to the American culture? Ex: the food, clothing, social activities, school structure/classes etc. Do you enjoy the style of life there?

For the most part the culture is very similar to American culture, just with its own unique variations.

The food is very similar as far as a selection, but I have found it to be much more fresh, healthy, and natural. There is also no meal plan on this campus so you will get to be creative with your meals. Around the campus there are multiple happy hour and meal deals throughout the week, making a quick and cheap dinner run a common occurrence.

Clothing styles are directed more towards the warmer climate, as expected. Students here also dress up for class every day. It is rare to see an Aussie in leggings or sweatpants in class. There are many local stores that offer the latest trends for reasonable prices close by.

Social activities are different than the University in America because they are catered around social drinking. Many if not all social events I have gone to have offered a free drink or drinks, as the drinking age is 18. The Aussies love to have a cold drink and get to know you, it creates a chilled vibe that many people associate with this culture. The village where you will live, is full of study abroad students. The village offers many opportunities to make connections and friends as well. I highly recommend and encourage students to attend these events, everyone is welcoming and friendly and this is where I made my closest friends.

Education here is much more different as well. Classes are recorded through and posted to blackboard, making attendance optional but encouraged. These recorded lectures are great for studying and allows for ample time to travel. Classes are also coupled with a tutorial. A tutorial is with a smaller class size around 15 people and a tutor. The tutorial is where the key points to the lecture are reviewed and hands on application is used to further teach the lesson. I would recommended creating a relationship with your tutors, because they are the ones that grade your assignments and can answer questions/review outlines etc. The tutorials often have an attendance requirement but even if they do not I encourage students to go to them as they make the content condensed and understandable. The education is very straight forward as all of our assignments are given on the first day on the syllabus and are due throughout the semester. I found the classes slightly easier and more hands on than my experience in the U.S. The staff here is extremely approachable and willing to help. 

Overall, I have loved life here. I have plenty of time between studies and working a part time job to enjoy myself and make friends. I have also had the amazing opportunity to travel all over Australia and internationally while here. I wish I could extend my stay longer. 

How do people there engage in their community? What are some popular outdoor activities or sports?  Do they have special social events or holidays?

People in Australia engage in their community by going to local venues and meeting new people. There are always different events going on around the community that are always posted to Facebook, creating huge attendance. Some popular sports are rugby, AFL, cricket, and they also spend a lot of time watching American sports as well. Outdoor activities include beach games, surfing, hiking, and anything else you can do in the sun. This is a very active culture and you will find it encouraging to get involved. They also have similar holidays to America.

Have you been able to explore more of the country or surrounding countries? If so, how easy has it been to get around since it is an island? What has been your favorite place you have visited? Favorite sites? Landscapes? Animals?

I have been able to explore all of the major east coast of Australia. It is very easy to get around using public transportation. I have also used different apps and websites to find cheap budget airline flights to places farther away, like Sydney. While travelling you will also find yourself staying in Hostels which is a great way to meet people from all around the world close to your age.

I also had the chance to go to Bali and experience the culture during our semester break. This was an amazing and life changing experience. I encourage everyone to use the semester break to get out of Australia and experience different cultures that are only a short flight away.

I cannot pick my favorite place or experience but my advice is to use your time wisely. I have seen all sorts of animals, temples, waterfalls, beaches, and so much more. Use every free moment to adventure and explore Australia, it truly has so much to offer. I have seen and experienced so much in my short time here and it has been quite affordable. You just have to be willing to try new things and you will have the time of your life!