Hi from Down Under! I’m officially over halfway done with my time abroad, and I truly cannot believe how fast time is flying. It feels like just yesterday that I boarded my 16-hour flight to Sydney.

I knew that choosing to study abroad in Australia would come with its own pros and cons. One incredibly useful pro is that English is spoken in Australia, so a language barrier wouldn’t be a problem. I also knew that Australia lifestyle and culture can be similar to American culture, specifically in areas of our country like the West Coast. However, this also meant that I wouldn’t be stepping too far out of my comfort zone when related to cultural changes.

After being here for two months, I can say that my initial impressions of the culture were spot on. There are certainly differences in culture that become more apparent the longer I live here. However, these differences would be difficult to spot if one were only visiting Australia for a short period of time to gain a surface-level understanding of the country. As a marketing major, I would be remiss to not mention Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions—in a recent evaluation, Australia and the United States scored within a few-digit margin of each dimension. For the non—marketing majors, this simply means our cultures are similar.

To put it simply, Australian culture is the carefree younger sibling to America’s ambitious eldest child. Australian live and die by “mateship”. Mateship is a fundamental Australian ideal that centers around helping your neighbor. In my experience, Australian people go out of their way to help out friends and strangers, regardless of the situation. Australians are loyal to having each other’s backs. I’ve encountered the principle of mateship many times while living in Sydney, but particularly when I’m lost or confused about a system they have in place. If I’m struggling, it usually doesn’t take longer than a few seconds for someone to approach me and offer their help. Compared to the States, we are much more individualistic and focused on ourselves to notice when others may need a helping hand. Experiencing Australian mateship has been a refreshing experience.

Another difference in culture that has become more noticeable over time is directness. In the classroom and my internship, I have noticed that Australians do not hesitate to say their criticisms or thoughts. In the States, we typically get a sugar-coated version of critiques—a “this is fantastic work, but here are some improvements.” Australians wouldn’t hesitate to honestly say, “this is not what we are looking for; here is how to change it.” At first, I was startled by the directness and took it personally. Over time, though, I’ve come to appreciate the honesty I receive. It’s more efficient, productive, and avoids confusion, particularly in the workplace.

The last piece of noticeable cultural difference is the laid-back disposition that many people think of when they picture Australia. Australian culture centers around spending time outside, enjoying the company of others, and maximizing the day. It’s not unusual for someone to spend time at the beach either before or after work to watch the sunset and exercise. It’s also not unusual for one of my coworkers to take off a week or a few days to prioritize their personal life. That’s not to say that Australians are lazy compared to the United States. They simply know how to accomplish their professional goals efficiently to enjoy their free time. In the States, we put such an emphasis on competition, working long hours, and climbing corporate ladders. While Australians value success, I suspect most would much rather have more time outdoors than a fancy new title.

Australian culture is impacting my mindset about my future. While I am unsure of what my life after graduation holds, Australia has taught me that the most important thing I can do as a young 20-year-old is embrace the current moment. If I spend my days prioritizing my happiness and working hard, success is sure to follow.