1. Perez 1
Cecilia Perez
College of Global Studies
Co-Curricular Learning
8 January 2017
USA to AUS
This is it -- senior year. And it is already off to an unbelievable start. Between my studies
and traveling, I earn the opportunity to experience all different aspects of Australian life. During
four months in the east coast of Queensland and New South Wales, I learn more about myself than
during the three years at my home school in Reading, Pennsylvania. This is my first time traveling
out of the United States, and I am grateful to have this opportunity of a lifetime.
Before coming to Australia, I did not know much about the history, culture, or people. This
is soon to change as the first weekend in Melbourne, Victoria sparked my interest. Over the course
of four months, I learn to change the way I think, act, and treat my surroundings. There is a lot
more happening in the world than simply what we see on television. People I meet and work with
help me to understand the bigger picture. Australia is a friendly continent whose people care about
and protect the land and its inhabitants. Regardless of natural occurrences -- cyclones, droughts,
floods, wild fires -- the land, as well as the animals and people living in it, is beautiful. The people
here teach me daily to respect myself and others and that the way we act towards others is poured
out and reflected onto our animals, environment, and society.
My classes play a major role in shaping my perspective on Australian culture. Business
Law, correlating with Doing Business in Australia, gives me the basic understanding of the legal
system and businesses. Studying Business Marketing, I was not completely blind, but, of course,
there is a lot to learn about this government. Being in my last year of undergraduate, I could

2. Perez 2
connect Australia’s legal system to America’s. Although the countries operate under a parliament
and republic respectively, some legislations are similar through the rules or regulations.
Differences aside, this class helps me understand the legalities behind Australia and its states and
territories.
Doing Business in Australia is one of the most useful classes here at Bond University.
Topics cover everything from politics, government, business, popular culture, society, and even
the best beaches to catch a gnarly wave. The lectures are rather small, but it deemed fitting due to
the style of the class – the size and style reminds me of my home school Albright College. I would
not have had the opportunity to visit Karen Andrews’ political office, tour the UGGs warehouse,
and see the Australian Outback Spectacular performance if it were not for Doing Business in
Australia. I believe that this class helps ease the transfer of what I was learning -- in all my classes
-- over to the real world and my actual experiences within the community and, too, from American
style of learning to Australian. It is key to be both book- and street- smart. Being in an unfamiliar
country with unfamiliar people, I am challenged to try new things, think different, and step out of
my comfort zone.
Gizmo and Lyndon lead a trip to North Stradbroke Island, just off the coast of Queensland,
which ends up being one of the most wicked weekends down under. Here we are welcomed by a
native Australian aboriginal, whom teaches us and includes us in the culture and ways of life. I
learn so much about the Australian aboriginal people that I never could have in class. The
aboriginal leads us on a bush walk around his land teaching us about the trees’, sands’, and rocks’
natural uses and benefits, and how the land and everything found within this island are protected
by the government. He shapes my perspective on the Australian culture right from the start. I am
intrigued and want to keep learning more. There are a lot of similarities between the Australian

3. Perez 3
aboriginal people and the Native American people. Although, America has a deeper history, both
peoples utilize the land and its resources for their respective benefits. The Australian aboriginals
of North Stradbroke Island are smart peoples who live in heaps of unique environments, white and
red sandy beaches and even a lake naturally stained brown from the tea trees and leaves. I have
never seen anything so mesmerizing. During the time on the island, however, there is not much
time to wander off and explore independently since Gizmo and Lyndon set up events for us
throughout the weekend – surfing, hiking, boomerang throwing, sand surfing. North Stradbroke
Island is remote compared to Robina, Queensland. This is one place I wish I had gotten more time.
Byron Bay is a nifty little beach town. I had heaps of opportunities to go off and experience
the community and people unlike North Stradbroke Island. This is where I first learn to surf. After
loving Byron during the scheduled program’s excursion, I had to make another trip. I learn in class
that Australia is one of the most ethnically diverse countries and Byron proved to me just that. I
witness and meet people from all over the world. Cairns is another city holding much diversity. I
meet people at Bond University and in Byron and Cairns from not only North America, but also
Central and South America, Europe, Africa, and other parts of Australia. Most of the Australians
I meet over these four months are genuinely nice and polite people. This is a trait many Americans
lack. Byron, Nimbin, Cairns, Robina, Melbourne, Sydney, no matter where I go, I am greeted with
a smile.
Meeting these different people, I am starting to better understand myself as a woman. By
living within a new culture, my outlook on life and my personal self is enhanced. Other people and
cultures can provide wisdom and a new perspective. I learn to take off the blinders and look at the
bigger picture. A prime example, which I previously thought is merely an issue in the United
States, is the presidential election. I was never fond of politics until the 2016 election – and not

4. Perez 4
just because Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton are the final two candidates. Being an outsider
looking in, I understood the importance of picking a good leader and, quite frankly, just how much
Americans are stereotyped. Although there are similarities between Australia and the United States
of America, the two countries are distinctively different. I have found a new respect for myself
and the beautiful earth we live on, and I hope to be able to share my experiences and learnings
with others. The combination of classes enrolled this semester work hand-in-hand with the trips
and excursions throughout the semester that shape my perspective on life down under. I learn
everything from the legal system and politics to popular culture and sports to tastes and styles to
everyday life and business. Australia has left an impression that will never fade. I believe that
traveling and learning other cultures will give you a new outlook also.