When I initially signed up for an Australian Study Abroad, I never would have expected to be experiencing the outback from America. This pandemic has changed a lot of things including the way we utilize technology to connect globally. Going into this study abroad, I expected to be learning about a country that was essentially America on the other side of the globe, but what I discovered was the countless differences that separates us from them. The biggest difference was the way the governments handled the pandemic. Australia is practically back to everyday life, while America still has to be extremely cautious. The two governments have very different tactics which completely changes how people in their respective countries live their day-to-day lives. Australians were easily able to stay at home with grocery stores being their only source of food, because so many of them are used to cooking daily, while many Americans are more likely to go to a restaurant or fast food establishment.
This may in part be caused by how businesses operate in the two countries. Australian businesses place a huge emphasis on leisure time, and typically have a shorter work day than in America. This in part may influence the food choices people make, because Americans have, on average, less free time to spend cooking for themselves or with family. I have always been fascinated by Australia and how they compare to the US, and being able to experience this study abroad virtually has helped me understand it even more. Australian people put a lot of emphasis on family, spiritual and physical health, and leisure time, while many Americans have grown accustomed to putting their jobs first. Though it would have been nice to get to experience the beauty of the country in person, being able to experience through Zoom was an incredible option given our circumstances. This also leaves room for the possibility of more virtual experiences in the future for those that either do not have the time to go abroad or cannot afford the high fees, and I would recommend it to anyone that wants to experience another place without leaving their own backyard.
