Study Abroad Blog

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Post Australia Post

Now that I have come back from Australia, I will reflect on my first post actually. I had a really good time meeting all my classmates and being in Australia, but I had an even better time getting to know them all and making new Australian friends while going out. And when it came to the new environment and getting sunburn, I only got it bad once or twice. So technically, I would consider myself a survivor of the sun to be honest. I know why I was so nervous about it, but I came prepared and did everything I should to avoid it.

What I learned from the program was so much more than I thought if I am being real. I learned way more about sports and sport culture than I thought I could and there are many more people passionate about it that I thought there could be. I know I was not the biggest sports fan of the group, but I was familiar with all of the sports and knew the big rules of them. In fact, going to the cricket game was a lot of fun despite it getting delayed and eventually cancelled. The sports were more americanized than I thought and it made me feel somewhat at home, but it also felt different when it came to the passion of the fans (Australians are hardcore fans).

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The Nation Post

So after this entire trip, I am not sure if I can fully capture what it means to be Australian, but what I do know is that many Australians are very nice. You need to be a nice person to be an Aussie. You should embrace who you are and learn to live and enjoy life and the things you have. You should go out and meet people and learn to have a good time.

As for identifying an Australian, it really is the happier group, or at least what I have seen. Symbol-wise, it is those who embrace culture outside of their work life. I saw many people in casual clothes in the afternoons and they all enjoyed talking about their hobbies and what they love to do. I feel as though I really fit into this definition, and many of those excluded are Americans and their lifestyle including mostly work. I want to be Australian honestly. I love to work, but I like having a life outside of a job. I think I could live with my lifestyle of being American, but maybe that will slowly change as I change and grow up and become a more serious mature person going through graduation.

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So thinking back on it, I was saving my final extra post here for my favorite city and to describe why. I know this is a very unpopular opinion among our class, but Melbourne was actually my favorite city. And I have actually considered working for a US company with a location within Australia because of it, and it does not have to be Melbourne, just not Brisbane. Brisbane was actually my least favorite city, and Sydney was a close second to Melbourne.

What I loved about Melbourne was not so much the sports (because every city had them), but the people, the music, the art, and the general culture and lifestyle of the city. It really does fit me well and I have always wanted to live in a city like that. I wish I could go back, I really do. I liked the bars and the people there were so nice and polite to me, and it makes me wish America was the same way. I am not a fan of the lifestyle and people here anymore and I feel like I should try and find some better people in my life, not gonna lie. I do not like my roommates.

Additional Post 5

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I have another great story from Sydney now. We actually went on a absolutely beautiful walk from Bondi Beach to Manly Beach. The water was so blue, yet so clear at the same time. We actually went surfing there earlier in the week, but the photographer id not get any pictures of me and i am VERY PISSED OFF. But it is alright because I was actually decent my first time doing it so I can just try it again somewhere else when I want to. Instead, I got amazing pictures of the beach while I was there and photographs of the rock cliffs too.

It was early in the morning and I was surprisingly alive for it and it was an awesome time. I loved the pictures I had taken, and I wish I could go back and take a longer walk. It actually makes me wish I could go backpacking more often and hiking outdoors. I really miss doing those kind of things like I did growing up doing Boy Scouts. Have you ever done backpacking, if so I would love to hear your stories of your hikes and such. My only disappointment about this hike was that it was way too short :(

Additional Post 4

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So While I traveled, I often had some small time to myself outside of the group so I hit up a few bars and met some really great people while I was around. The most memorable were a couple from Brisbane (unfortunately I cannot remember their names...), Pat and Astrid in Brisbane as well, Sara and David from Melbourne at the bar-be-que I went to, Adam from Mary's in Sydney, and Khalid from Frankie's Pizza in Sydney. Every single one of these people I met had the nicest manners of many strangers I meet and I know I only met them for one or two nights but I am going to miss them.

I actually have quite a bit of stories thanks to them and they told me a lot about Australian culture, and how they actually go out pretty often now. Many of them were older, but Pat and Astrid were 19 and 18, and Khalid was 22, my age. Those 2 groups were students and and the others had careers mostly in marketing and were about 28 or 29. They were nice enough to buy me free beer and hang out with me. I wish I could go back and see them, but memories are memories and maybe one day I can meet them when I visit again.

Additional Post #3

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So while I was in Sydney wandering alone while people packed and such, I actually found a historical marker on a small area or road called Martin Place. Someone around actually knew what the monument was about too. I assumed the people or statues on the monument were A.B. Burton and B. Mackennal, but they were actually the producer and the designer or sculptor. The monument was in a place where hundreds and thousands of people gathered for the end of World War 1.

Martin Place is a very popular region of Sydney for its walking distances and shops, along with easy access to public transportation. It is also called the "civic heart" of Sydney by some and can be a really nice place to meet and stay. Since it was such a popular place and where people met at the end of the Great War, it is actually the official war commemoration location when a war is over. And apparently the guy that was there told he that he saw the 2000 Olympics held in Sydney on a screen on the road! And he was actually a tour guide and said the street was used in The Matrix, but could not recall the scene. I guess I will have to watch it again to see the scene for myself.

Historical Marker Post

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So I know I already used this picture previously, but the other person in the picture is Joey Walker, a member of one of my favorite indie bands, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. He is somewhat of a role model for being a famous musician, but he was actually born in Australia and I wanted to interview him about Australian culture.

He says that he grew up watching sports with his family as it is very common for him, but he slowly pushed away as they encouraged his participation, in fact, he played football/soccer growing up. He prefers Melbourne of all the other cities he has visited (including those worldwide) because it feels home-like to him, but also the music scene is unique to him along with the laid back culture and lifestyle compared to other developed countries.

He now occasionally watches the big sporting events such as the Australian Open or international events like the Olympics, but he has no interest in american sports such as the Super Bowl. He is all about music and people giving out good vibes into a welcoming community. He is also a huge fan of the graffiti art around the city and thinks it really blends and fits how people act in the city.

Interview Blog Post

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During my time in Melbourne, I actually decided to go to the Melbourne Museum and see the history of the country and region. One of the biggest cultural item I actually found was an aboriginal cultural item from the natives who lived in Australia before colonization. They were these wooden painted sculptures called Bagu and Jiman. They were these fire-making tools used by those who lived in the Girringun Rainforest. Bagu is the wooden sculpture itself and Jiman is the wooden sticks accompanied behind or attached. Bagu is represented in the shape of man, Chikka-bunnah, and the essence of spirit is portrayed through the colors.

Bagu is actually the fire spirit who would throw fire sticks (Jiman) across the sky. It was good luck to use these tools, but they were also burned directly into the fire to help keep it alive. As one can assume, in a rainforest, it is very difficult to keep a fire alive, so there was a tribal member dedicated to keeping the fire alive. This member would have to find dry tinder and leaves to light and kindle the fire, as well as use the Bagu and Jiman.

The preservation of this kind of culture and these techniques are actually still used by some who are aboriginal descendants. The aboriginal people have struggled to gain support and the preservation of their lifestyle after so many years of oppression and invasion. These kinds of traditions and techniques still being used are culturally significant to the history of Australia and I hope can be continued throughout the future.

Museum Blog Post

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So I forgot to post about this, but two days ago, I went to go see the Twelve Apostles and the Great Ocean Road! It was honestly one of the prettiest things I have ever seen. I was so fascinated with how the rocks have stood for so long and honestly, I would loved to get closer on the shore or even on the rocks (I ain't scared of no heights lol). It was such an amazing view and a once in a lifetime scene. We actually could go to some beaches and see the cliffs closer up and we all went in a cave which was cool, but it still does not compare. I highly suggest going if you have not been. If you went, I would like you to share your experience as well.

Even with the entire day spent on the bus, it was so worth it to see. I hope I can have the opportunity to go again. After seeing it, it makes me feel like I have so much more to see around the world. Got any ideas for me? I wish I could go to the Great Barrier Reef on this trip, but that is for another time with my uncle.

Additional Post 2/5

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So I know a lot of people may choose their Current Event post as the bushfires throughout Australia, but I wanted to do a little more and support the cause while having some fun. There was an event at Victoria Park yesterday where I could meet some famous music artists and some local legends for a big BBQ called Grill for Good. I actually met Mac Demarco and some members of my favorite indie band, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard! In fact, they were all volunteers and were assisting with cooking and pouring drinks.

The tickets were about 10 AUD each and all food and drink purchases, along with the ticket, went along to support the firefighters trying their best and supporting the cause. There were over 1000 attendees and over 30,000 AUD raised for the cause. This is huge for a last minute event announced less than a week ago. This is was very powerful because it shows how much people care and want to do for nature, as over half a million animals have been killed by the bushfires and the habitat may not be recoverable for a very long time. It is best to try to prevent it, but it is a little too late for that in some ways. To have so many people come together and make the news for this big event is such a great thing to be a part of and I am really glad I went. I made a lot of friends and I am glad to support the cause too.

Current Event Post

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Australian Rules Football is honestly one of, if not, the most interesting sport I have ever seen and I may actually try and follow it. It is such an interesting sport that involves dribbling, passing, shooting, and punting continuously with tackles, interceptions, and lot of excitement. Basically the sport is played in a more circular field where two teams compete to kick a football through sets of goal posts, and the center is worth the most points, two, and the outer posts are worth 1. People can punt the ball to each other, similarly to volleyball, to pass, as well as throwing like an american football. What is super interesting though is that you also have to dribble the football every 16 meters to keep possession by bouncing the ball on the ground, which is very hard. The key to it is to bounce the ball on the front between the tip and the middle of the curve. What is even more interesting though is the tackling and physical contact. You can tackle between the waist and the shoulders, and to even catch the ball, YOU CAN CLIMB ON TOP OF OTHER PLAYERS (using your legs). The game is so much more fast paced than american football, but also much more aggressive.

Sport Blog Post

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Food/Cuisine Post

I am so mad at myself for not taking a picture of my meal, but we went to Young & Jackson for our “Welcome to Melbourne” dinner. And I FINALLY ate kangaroo and I thought it was SOOO GOOD. Have you ever had kangaroo? Well if you have had steak, it tastes very similar. It is a thick juicy red meat that is chewier, and a little sweeter, but I think it would be a great substitute to the backlash of the meat market and the amount of methane produced from industrial cow farming. I do not know the politics behind kangaroo, but it definitely was a good change of pace for red meat substitution.

The restaurant was much more formal than I thought, but I also had zero expectations. The restaurant has been around for a very long time and it had a very famous painting framed up on the wall. It really showed character and upscale formality, but also had history. If I could go back to the restaurant, I would have to try the bar and the more expansive menu. I was thoroughly impressed with everything they had, but I wish I was not sick to really enjoy the majority of it. Hopefully I will be feeling better soon.

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I have recently attended the ATP Cup in Brisbane Australia and we actually attended the Germany vs. Greece game which had some very passionate fans. Surprisingly, there was actually a small Greek community coming from Melbourne to celebrate and watch the very famous tennis player, Tsitsipas. He is ranked 7th in the world and very young. The Greek people were very loud and very energetic, but the German fans tended to be more professional (except the player was acting very childish). Even though I am not Greek or German, I felt a part of the sporting community, but there is more that can actually do that.

When it came to advertisements though, it all seemed oddly familiar as many brands were either local or global (including Rolex), but the advertisements acted very similarly to American-type ads. They were loud or fast or cool or funny, and made me feel somewhat pleased and wholesome. I felt as if I still fit in within the sporting community and understood my environment, the players, and the audience, which I thought would be the complete opposite for being in a different country across the Pacific Ocean. I was really glad to be a part of the environment and felt glad to fit in.

ATP Cup Blog Post

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Soooooo its been a few days in Brisbane and honestly it has been one of the best experiences of my life. I've been staying active (surprisingly) and I have done so much. We have been all over the city shopping and getting food but on my first morning, I decided to go solo and watch the sunrise and it was beautiful.

We had our first lecture yesterday and it was very good and informative, and I’m actually excited for the rest. I thought it would be kinda generic but we had presentations and I'm excited to do mine. I'll be doing mine in Sydney later on the trip but I do not mind, it gives me more time to relax.

Today we actually went to the Koala Sanctuary and I got to hold a big python and a koala! And Kangaroos are the softest things in the world, and they are super friendly if you give them food. I think some of these photos are fantastic and I wish I could keep the kangaroos to myself, but sadly TSA won't let me take one home. 

I know it has only been the first city but I am so excited to see the rest and of the them and make the best of this trip.

If there are any cool places I should go to, where??? I know I would like to go to a record store nearby for my personal collection.

1/5 Additional Entry

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Pre-Departure

Hey Everyone! My name is Travis and I am a student at the University of Maryland, College Park. I am a senior and I finally decided to go study abroad and I will be going to Australia! It is for a class called KNES 342 - Sport,Commerce, and Culture in the Global Marketplace. I know a few things about Australia when it comes to politics and that sports are very popular within Australia. They play Cricket, Tennis, Australian Football, and lots of others and actually held the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

Before we depart, I actually wanna talk about 1 thing I am excited about, and it is actually to meet everyone and be in a new environment. I have always wanted to travel, but never had the time, and I have heard so many great things about Australia and I’d love to see their exciting sport culture. I am nervous about the weather because I actually sunburn super easily and I know it will be scorching hot. So I hope I packed properly. 

Something I really hope to learn from the program is how to appreciate and understand a new environment that is strongly in support of sports. I actually did not watch a lot of games or go to many events growing up because my parents were never into sports, but I would love to learn how to play and appreciate them enough to enjoy it all. Maybe even how the teams and sports are managed as well because it is actually crazy to think about how much money is put into sporting. It is a very big industry internationally and within Australia.