How to become friends with an Australian

Thousands of miles from home, in a different culture with varied terminology, a diverse population, and a new lifestyle, and Australians also drink from "bubblers." That's crazy.

I've met plenty more people since Monday, and have really enjoyed talking to everyone. There are students from around the world, and while I know we experience that in the U.S. as well, taking part as an international student puts me right in the middle of it and makes it so much easier to become friends with all these people. Some native Australians, but also South Africans, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Germans, French, Taiwanese, Koreans, Chinese, Malaysians, Zambians, and all over the U.S. - and these are just people I've run into. I'm sure there are many more people from other countries I've not counted for yet simply because I haven't had the chance to meet them.

We had an international students orientation today, which I quite enjoyed. It was an introduction to the Australian culture, which immediately began with an aboriginal welcome dance by the Descendance group (http://descendance.com.au). They were great! Played the didgeridoo, sang and danced in traditional Australian aboriginal custom. They put on about a twenty minute show, and about fifteen minutes in, they stopped. The woman leading the group asked, "Are you having fun?" Of course, we all cheered and laughed. "Good! Because the next dance is a participation dance, and it is considered very much an insult if you choose not to join us!" They asked for volunteers for the dance, and several people began reluctantly standing up from their seats and heading up to the stage.... and I joined right in! So there I was, immitating a chicken on stage with fellow international students for the rest of our exchange class. It was a lot of fun.

At the orientation we also learned how to become friends with an Australian:

1.) Don't try to do the accent. Don't try to be Steve Irwin.

2.) Show interest in AFL, rugby union, soccer, cricket, everything - even if you don't like it.

3.) Never compare Australia to New Zealand, except to say it's so much better.

4.) Never complain about anything unless an Australian does first.

Finally, we learned that Australia is all about the underdog, and the Tall Poppy syndrome. In other words, they like to see the underdog win, and they're all about being equal (Australians who achieve highly will brush it off so as not to make others feel lower than them).

After the session, I went to Cole's (the local grocery store) to grab some laundry detergent. I also picked up a pack of Tim Tam's, the Australian equivalent of Oreo's (only in popularity, not flavor in any way). They're so good! They're these crackers with chocolate mousse between them, all dipped in milk chocolate. Australians know what's up.

Then I joined the UNSW Christian Society for a club info session, and met some great folks. I plan to join them for small group meetings and bible study throughout the semester. To finish the night, Fig Tree Hall put on a bowling night. Two games, a free drink and some appetizers for $20 - a great price for living in Sydney. And it turned out to be a lot of fun - met lots of people from my residence hall, had the highest score of the night at 156, and enjoyed the company of a big group of friends. As O-week comes to a close, I'm looking forward to the beginning of classes. Perhaps it's because I've been away from school for so long, or because it seems familiar to me to be taking classes, or simply because I don't know what Australian classes will be like. No matter what, I think things will turn out for the best.

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