A cultural observation I made during my time in Australia that was more complicated than I initially thought was Australian attitudes towards their Aboriginal population. Before every class lecture and in most places I visited or ate there was an acknowledgment of the country and the traditional owners of the land. This acknowledgment talked about…
Category: Australia: TEAN at Newcastle
Final Blog Post
My time abroad in Newcastle, Australia I experienced a cultural experience of a welcome or bark burning ceremony which first welcomed us into the area where we had our orientation in being Cairns, and I thought it was exciting and informative about the culture and generations of storytelling that has carried this knowledge to me….
Post-Australia
The cultural value of mateship was prevalent throughout my time in Australia. This value is based on a sense of unity and companionship among Australian people. I saw it to be reflected by personal relationships as well as by community interactions. I noticed this in many public spaces, such as restaurants and shops, as servers…
It has come to an end :(
During my study abroad at the University of Newcastle, I participated in a course focused on Aboriginal Studies, which included a field trip to a local Aboriginal community. The trip involved spending a weekend with the community, learning about their traditions, history, and contemporary challenges. We attended storytelling sessions and engaged in discussions about land…
Final Blog Post
The laidback, go-with-the-flow culture and non-Eurocentric ideas from my Working with Aboriginal Communities course stood out my entire time in Newcastle, Australia. Everyone was so incredibly kind and easy to get to know. Most people were quite pleased to hear that I chose Australia to spend my time abroad and that I am so keen…
Blog Post #2
During my time abroad so far in Australia one of my biggest observations has been their acknowledgement of country and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples. Whenever I travel using a plane or before my lectures, the pilot or instructor always says, “I’d like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land…
1 month in
One thing that interests me about Australia is how accessible public transportation is. This past weekend, I travelled back to the university of Newcastle from Sydney in 3 hours for free using all public transportation. First I used a train to get to a larger station, then got on the Newcastle/Central Coast line. That brought…
Blog Post #2
During my time abroad in Newcastle, Australia, one observation that has captivated my curiosity is the unique relationship Australians have with the environment, particularly their admiration for nature and their efforts towards sustainability. So, being intrigued by this aspect of Australian culture, I decided to dive deeper into understanding the underlying beliefs and values driving…
Pre-departure Blog – New Castle!
Individualism is an integral part of American culture. Individualism is rooted in many aspects of American society. It is rooted in the concept of personal independence, self-sufficiency, and the drive to achieve individual goals and aspirations. U.S. culture emphasizes the importance of independence, personal liberty, and the notion that individuals are ultimately responsible for their…
Pre Aussie
One aspect of American culture is its fast pace, especially in the Northeast where I am from. The trend of hurrying through each day is encouraged by societal norms and ideals of success, which is thought to be achieved through hard work and tangible accomplishments. A lot of this stems from capitalist doctrine, which demands…