My Favorite Thing About Australia is...

Alas, November 21st was my final night in Australia. I felt very bittersweet. I mean, I've been living in Australia for about 5 months, and I feel like I just got into the swing of things here. Even though I'll do some traveling in New Zealand (which I was looking forward to), it is always difficult to say goodbye, especially since I do not know when the next time I will be here. So to make myself feel better, I'm taking Julie Andrew's advice from "The Sound of Music," and I'm going to write down a few of my favorite things, and then I won't feel so bad.

Well, to start off my list, I love Australia as a whole: the people are so friendly, their cities are so pretty, the weather never went below 60 degF, and the cities were so easy to navigate! I gotta say I really like the Aussie accent and I want to bring some of their slang back with me! Also, Brisbane winters are the equivalent to a Chicago summer, and every day felt like a perfect day to chill at the beach. And even though I was taking classes, every day felt like a holiday! And when I was on holiday, the beaches and scenery was so picturesque, I had to pinch myself a couple times to make sure I wasn't dreaming! My last few days in Brisbane, I went back to Byron Bay for a weekend, and I took a hike in the Glass House Mountains. This was my last chance to explore Australia before packing my bags. Taking these trips were a good way for me to say goodbye to beautiful Australia. I mean look at these beautiful pictures (that were not photoshopped in any way):


 
Byron Bay

 
Mt. Ngungun


Secondly, I developed an addiction to the famous Aussie cookie: Tim Tams. It's the perfect cookie/biscuit to have after a lunch or dinner. The chocolate to cookie ratio is spot on. Every time I would go grocery shopping, I always had to pick up a pack of Tim Tams. I was so sad to leave them behind but I was informed by one of my friends that there are a few stores in the US that sell Tim Tams, to which I cheered in excitement! Tim Tams are amazing, and of course my favorite is the original chocolate, nothing else can compare!


Australia has little light pollution, and I know this because I can see so many stars right outside my apartment. Everywhere I went (that wasn't cloudy) had so many stars in the sky. It's also weird not recognizing the constellations in the sky, but I enjoyed looking up at a beautiful night sky every night.


And of course, I love meeting all of my friends here in Brisbane and on my various trips. I met so many people here, and they helped me make my Australia experience memorable. From going to barbecues, to making pizzas together, taking trips to Byron Bay and the Sunshine Coast, or just studying in the library with each other and getting lunch together, I am so glad I was a part of this awesome group of friends. Shout out to the Drop Bears group chat, thanks for the many laughs and great memories! You guys know how to have fun! I also met so many cool people on my tours in Hobart, Melbourne, Whitsundays, and Cairns. I miss you guys so much and I can't wait to see everyone in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

So those are just a few of of the many great things about Australia. I am so glad I chose this country for my exchange semester. I would not trade these experiences, or friends I've made, for anything! Well, my adventure continues to the majestic country of New Zealand.