For a country that speaks the same language and plays Justin Bieber at the club, so many things about studying abroad in Australia are undeniably foreign. From slang like “no wakkas” and driving on the wrong side of the road, here are 15 universal truths from an American studying in Australia.
1. When your plane lands and the jet lag is so real:
2. When you realize you can afford something, because #ExchangeRate:
3. When people hear your accent and immediately ask if you’re voting for Donald Trump:
No. Just no.
4. When people from other countries know more about your government and international policies than you do:
...and seriously wishing you paid more attention in high school.
5. Trying not to giggle every time you say “toilet” instead of “bathroom”:
6. Almost getting hit by a car every time you cross the street:
Looking right-left-right just hasn't stuck yet.
7. Being asked if you’re “keen to drink heaps of goon”:
8. Having to explain to people that no, you do not have a gun, nor do any of your friends (and certainly nobody brought one h e r e):
9. Being confronted with the American stereotype and being shamelessly judged:
10. Trying to be ~cultured~ while staying on a budget:
11. When you randomly see massive spiders throughout the day way too close to your personal space:
12. Trying to act indifferent when a ridiculously hot surfer walks by on the beach:
13. When you realize the drinking age is 18:
14. …and then when you realize alcohol is expensive AF:
$45 for a bottle of tequila? Seriously?
15. And finally, realizing you only have three weeks left before boarding your flight home:
