AUSSIES ARE COMING TO A UC NEAR YOU!

As study abroad students, the faculty at the University of Sydney encouraged us to promote studying abroad to the Australian students. Since it is near the end of the semester, the Australian students that opted to study abroad are making preparations to depart for their destinations. The international student office sent out an email the study abroad and exchange students to ask for help at an Aussie pre-departure question and answer session. We would have the opportunity to talk to the Australian students and answer their questions about our home country and University. None of the Australian students are confirmed to attend UCI in the fall (bummer!), but there are students heading to UCLA, UCB, UCSB, UCSD, UCSC, and UCD. Almost every UC!! I was surprised that there weren’t any volunteers to speak to the Australian students from any of the UC host institutions. The study abroad coordinators sent me an email asking if I would come to answer general questions about the UC system and California even though nobody will be going to UCI. I was thrilled and excited because I love helping other students. I feel that it is the least I can do, considering that every Australian I have come into contact with has been so genuinely helpful when I have had questions!

After afternoon tea, the study abroad volunteers and prospective Australian study abroad students were directed to specific rooms for each country. Most of the countries were assigned to small classrooms; however, all of the students that are going to the US were sent to a large lecture theater! There are Aussies heading to Universities all over the US. I had a group of about 10 students that will being heading to different UC’s. It was so fun answering their questions about transportation, accommodation, the quarter system, and places to try and visit in California. It is definitely a mind-opening experience to answer questions about the everyday aspects of my life in America, considering that I think of these aspects as the “norm.” It was really fun to discuss attending a UC with people who have never been to the United States; their faces reflected their interest and their wonderment about the differences I find between Sydney Uni and attending UCI.

In retrospect, I know that I was exactly the same way when I would talk about Australia before I came. All of the information that seems normal or obvious to a native is a gold mine of useful tips about a different culture to the person that is about to go see for themselves. One of the students actually thought that I was an Australian returnee, and asked how I had such a prominent American accent after I returned from just one semester abroad in the States! I replied, “I am American!” Everybody kind of laughed, and then said that they had figured. However, I thought that it was an honor to be considered an Australian peer. I do not think I will ever get used to the fact that people think I have an accent. I do not think that I have an accent, I am just American; YOU have an accent, you are Australian. However, the opinion is reciprocal.

Overall, the question and answer session was a success. The hour flew by so fast! I had a lot of fun meeting Aussies that are looking forward to experiencing studying abroad in the US. My study abroad experience in their home country has been so rewarding. I wish them the best of luck in their academic endeavors and hope that they will have an enjoyable and truly fulfilling experience in the US.

Now, my goal is to recruit an Aussie to come to UCI…
:D