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…
Morocco – Post #2
In my journey to understand and immerse myself in cultural norms in Morocco, one aspect of Moroccan culture that interested me is the way they greet each other. This greeting is a reflection of my previous notions of the country’s emphasis on warmth, respect, and community. The greeting is a cheek kiss involving a handshake…
Letters to America- Blog Post #2
One thing that has stuck out to me during my first few weeks here in Sydney has been the learning about the Aboriginal people and culture. In Australia, the Aboriginals are the Indigenous tribes that previously inhabited the country before it was colonized. Unfortunately (much like in the U.S.) these people were marginalized and have…
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…
Blog Post #1
Blog Post 1 The U.S. has many cultural aspects, however, one major aspect of U.S. culture that stands out to me is America’s work culture and fast paced way of life that has been integrated in American’s everyday lives. Hard work is valued in many other countries, but what makes the United States work life…
Blog Post #1
Consumerism is an aspect of American culture that has always stood out to me. As a business student, I often am taught about consumerism and its effect on the United States economy as well as the whole world’s economy. Due to a widespread emphasis on shopping, material things, and consumption, American consumerism is a distinguishing…
Pre-Departure Post
There are many aspects to American culture, but the first one that comes to mind is consumerism. Consumerism is a significant aspect of U.S. culture, represented by acquiring and consuming goods and services over one’s basic needs. This phenomenon is deeply ingrained in the American lifestyle, where buying power is usually linked to success and…
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-departure Blog – University of Otago TEAN
Living in the same country your entire life, you begin to become blind to cultural differences between other cultures. However, when you take a step back, it is easy to identify the cultural ideals that are important to you, and your country. One cultural value in America that has always stuck out to me is…