My semester in Australia was packed with wonderful new experiences and lots of travel! I learned about the reality of sustainable practices and have gained countless skills and techniques to reduce impacts on our environment, that I plan to implement and share with those in my life. The time I spent in Byron Bay, Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania, and especially O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in the Green Mountains gave me invaluable knowledge and clarity for my future and the path I would like to lead. My internship period was the chance for me to experience the realities of the hospitality and tourism world. I feel so lucky to have had the chance to work there for the time that I did and make the life and career changing connections that I did. I really fell in love with the perfect balance of creativity, curiosity and knowledge that I found in tour guiding. With the connections that I made, I can come back to O’Reilly’s, get more experience and maybe even make some real changes during a longer stay there. I had a very unique position to observe and absorb such unique knowledge, and I would love to come back with my degree and even more insight on how to improve on the way the place is run. This semester left me with a much clearer picture of what my future and career might look like and I am forever thankful for that insight. It is a huge relief to realize the possibilities in my life and how achievable they can be!
During my occupancy at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, I was around more Australians (but also around a larger demographic of backpacking workers) and was able to experience and observe more of the cultural differences during this month. During the internship period I was alone on the mountain living as opposed to the rest of the semester where our program (only Americans besides one girl from Ghana) travelled together, ate together, and went out together.
A few ethical concerns or cultural differences within the organization came to light during my internship period. A notable issue was the disparities among workers of color or minorities, often not overtly apparent but discernible upon closer observation. I became a bit more attuned to the subtleties of racial dynamics in Australia, noticing instances of what seemed like implicit bias or subtle racism within the working environment. One glaring aspect was the predominance of minorities within the labor workforce, a demographic contrast starkly evident when comparing the guest and staff compositions. Workers at ORR are hired from anywhere in the world, which naturally leads to people who speak the same language or share cultural affinities gravitating towards one another. Despite this, there was a noticeable lack of community building between different departments or for the nearly 80% of workers residing on-site in the remote mountainous area. The separation among workers from varied backgrounds was almost a bit conspicuous to me, impeding substantial interaction or communal bonds in an environment where collaborative unity could greatly enhance the workplace experience.
Engaging in discussions with staff members, I recognized the limitations of my position as an intern, understanding my role’s lack of significant influence over institutional dynamics. Acknowledging my positionality, I understand how my own beliefs, culture, values, and personal background inevitably shaped my perceptions during the internship. As a woman of color with a lighter complexion, I inhabit a liminal space between different worlds, and am granted a more nuanced perspective to identify and explore both visible and unseen social phenomena. Instances of an almost racial exclusion became apparent, particularly in areas like “Chinatown” and accommodations unofficially designated for Japanese and Asian individuals, which inadvertently reinforce cultural separation between minority and Caucasian workers. Although these divisions appear unintentional, they may have been requested by workers, the disparities in treatment were discernible. Recognizing the limitations of directly addressing such complex dynamics, I strived to play a part in inclusivity, ensuring I acknowledged everyone in the room and had conversations with everyone within the workspace. I observed a distressing incident that involved a housekeeping worker grappling with an ant problem in her living quarters in “Chinatown.” The issue was resolved using undisclosed and potent chemicals, raising concerns about their impact on the worker’s health and the environment.
There were other instances where I noticed mocking behaviors towards minorities and even incongruities in the treatment of darker-skinned workers. These situations highlighted a subtle yet prevalent racial undercurrent in Australia, an aspect difficult to substantiate but perceptible in various contexts. (During my time here, there was also the 2023 Indigenous Voice Referendum that was voted against in almost all states which was extremely surprising to me.) I believe that there are several cultural, and economic factors that affect Australian society and ideologies and, consequently, their awareness and actions towards social issues. It seems to me that there is a lot of work to be done and a lot of painful history (as there is in most countries) to understand and learn from to be open to change by many Australians.
I think reflecting on the culture of the country I was in for the past 4 months is very important to my future travels and understanding of the global climate and humanity as a whole. There are so many reasons why people are the way they are and there are visible differences in even a few hours of driving, much more so in a new country. Keeping an open but still discerning mind is crucial while learning the way the world works!