There are many different areas that I identify with, such as being christian, multicultural, a student, a daughter, sister or friend. Often times, there are identities that I forget even exist within me, such as my nationality. Growing up and living as anAamerican has become such a subconscious part of me, often times I forget it is actually a big part of my identity. Often times I think of Amrican culture as “normal”, universal or “the right way to do things”. My identity as an American has definitely caused to think within a small bubble, not realizing that not everyone is living the way that I do. It has allowed me to think that the “American way” is what the majority of the world lives by. I know once coming into Australia, I will be corrected in this statement very fast. Although Australia is a country that does speak english, it does not mean that our cultures will be the same. I think I will realize how different english speaking countries can actually be from each other, and realize what things are actually just from the American culture. A disadvantage that may come with my Amercian identity may be the culture shock that I may experience, realizing that I am different from those native to Australia.
While abroad, I expect to encounter many diverse identities from all around the world. Being that I am living in the international housing, I expect to encounter identities not just from Australia but from other continents such as Europe, Asia and Africa. I think that the people from different identities that I will encounter will view the world from a different perspective, literally and figuratively. Being that they are from the other side of the world compared to Florida, I am interested to see how being on opposite sides have shaped our identities differently. Being that I have never been abroad, I think that the identities of people who have been to Australia or traveled to countries on their own may have an advantage of knowing more about the country, and have a better sense of independence-which is one I have to form on my own.
Overall, on this trip I hope to go deeper and find parts of my identity that I never even knew about myself, while learning the identities of those around me. Look out Australia, Here I come!