cULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN AUSTRALIA
Please note the information supplied on this page is for the benefit of Fulbright Scholars travelling in Australia. to assist with travel preparations and also to support Scholars in their transition to life in Australia. The information has been extracted from recent Fulbright Scholar Final Reports and does not necessarily reflect the views or recommendations of the Fulbright Commission. The information is from American Scholars who have travelled to Australia within the last four years.
Once in Australian, the Fulbright Commission in Canberra is the point of contact
Ensure you have project approval from the appropriate authorities, particularly within Aboriginal communities, prior to arrival
Community Libraries are free to join, with proof of Australian address required.
Emergency Number in Australia is 000
Investigate quarantine laws if you plan to bring pets to Australia
Investigate joining a Student Union for information on clubs/associations, event/activities, transportation and media
Fee Waivers - speak to the scholarship department and Fulbright Commission for assistance with this.
There a quite a few more public holidays in Australia than the US
Keep copies of all documents and receipts of anything posted to ensure you have proof if your documents are misplaced or lost.
I would also encourage them to seek out Australia’s famously bizarre plant and animal life. I’ve seen koalas, emus, echidnas, platypuses, and of course many kangaroos in the wild, not to mention the many species of parrot and cockatoo that live in Canberra. I even saw a cassowary on the beach at Cape Tribulation. For plants, there are banksias, grevilleas, and a bewildering array of eucalyptus species, and every major city has a public botanical garden, as well. It would be a shame not to experience some of the world’s most unique and interesting organisms while in Australia.
Many people abroad have a strong disdain for Americans. Be prepared for people to ask you to justify recent American administrative actions on the world stage, whether you agree with them or not. It seemed to me that most people were comforted to know that the actions of the administration do not necessarily reflect the will of many American citizens.
It helped to get a mobile phone as quickly as possible (pre pay plans are suitable for 1 year, contracts usually last 24 months).
In many ways, I feel as if I never fully understood what it means to be an American. I've certainly never had so many people asking me about it! It can be a bit intimidating to be the sole representative in the room of a diverse country of nearly 300 million people, particularly when asked questions such as "what do Americans think of X?" or "how could Americans elect politician Y?" It took a long time for me to realize that the best, indeed the only, way for me to represent my country is to speak for myself and no one else...
In general, Australians speak more softly, are more reserved about their personal lives, boast less about their personal achievements, and 'whinge' less about their problems. As with any new experience, it's best to listen more than you speak until you know more about the lay of the land - although I personally have a great deal of difficulty with this! Before you leave, try to do a little reading on American history and civics, because odds are excellent that you will be asked about the political system, how people are elected, past presidents, and so on...
I would advise prospective Fulbright Scholars that when studying overseas, they should break out of the traditional academic study, which often is limited to the library, laboratory, or classroom. They should invite members of the faculty for coffee to chat, exchange ideas about research, attend conferences and seminars, speak to members of the professional community, and give lectures both in the university and the community. I would also encourage future Fulbright Scholars to become involved in an activity outside of their studies...
I would generally advise future US scholars to be polite and patient. Americans are pushier than Australians are and are used to demanding efficiency and speedy in everything they do (at least where I live on the east coast). You will be immediately stereotyped as one of these ignorant, obnoxious Americans. Try to dispel this stereotype and relax. Also, in Australia, each person buys a round of beer (not like in the US where most people just get their own). Buy a round (“my shout”) and make some friends.
Encouragement and advice I received when I first arrived here: while you are definitely here to work on a project, everyone involved understands that the transition of your project from proposal to reality is not always as smooth as one might hope and making adjustments to deal with these challenges is as much a part of the journey as the project itself.
Honestly, one of the most important things I did when I first got here was to accept every invitation to an activity that a friend or co-worker made...I would say to future scholars, even if you don’t drink, it’s really worth just tagging along and getting a water or soda because this is often more about getting a chance to talk to people than going out and getting really drunk (as it sometimes is at home)... Female PGS, 2006
I would suggest that prospective Scholars explain exactly to their mentors what the program is, and if possible refer them to the Australian-American Fulbright Commission in the case of confusion…
Sydney is an expensive city! One need not worry, however, if one learns how to navigate the city. Films are deeply discounted on Tuesday nights; Dendy offers one a year-long membership with discounted—and free—films. And even the Opera House supplies memberships at significant discounts, too (though one will still need to sacrifice a bit...
Customs: Always – repeat: ALWAYS – go through the red channel and declare anything which vaguely can be claimed. This ensures that (a) one will not be fined if one does have something which demands duty and (b) often ends up being much, much faster since the staff will look at what you’re claiming and waive you quickly through. The alternative, being fined for something small and seemingly innocuous (e.g., a stray apple – fine: $200) can be quite unpleasant.
I cannot overstate the valuable information you receive prior to your departure from the states which I highly suggest (it’s not mandatory though) that you read. Its cultural/country specific information, helpful travel tips (attaining visa), etc. but the best advice I can give is make a conscious effort to learn from the locals.
The single largest problem I faced was getting robbed. Our house was burglarized in full daylight while we were at home, and they took a digital camera, 2 iPods, $100 cash, and a wallet. Thankfully, the police recovered one iPod, but the experience was certainly traumatizing for us. I would HIGHLY suggest some sort of travel insurance (perhaps through a travel agency like STA) so you can claim back these sorts of losses. Male PGS 2007
Once you’re settled, all I would say is that whenever you have two options, where the first is to stay at home or in your lab or office, and the second is to go to a new part of the country or the city, or to some traditional local event, or to meet some new friends, take the 2nd option. Male PGS 2007
I enrolled in a research master’s degree, mainly because it was free and I was going to be dong the research anyway. This was a good move because I got more resources as an official student than I would have just as a ‘visiting scholar.’ Male PGS 2007
It was a little difficult at first to receive a tax file number. In the end, I had to physically go to the tax office and fill out all the forms there. However, all the staff at the office were extremely helpful. Also, I found it very complicated to use my credit card while receiving bills in the U.S. It sounds obvious, but I would highly recommend forwarding important mail like bills to your address in Australia, once you find a permanent one. I was very surprised by how fast mail traveled between Australia and the U.S., it usually took no more than a week. Female PGS 2007
I had signed up for a master’s degree at the University of Sydney anticipating a challenging, master’s-level program. I didn’t anticipate that the school runs its master’s programs largely as a income generation device, and that most of my courses would a) be at night; and b) taught at a level equivalent to an undergraduate course. Thus, for someone like me, who got a master’s in an area she had studied as an undergraduate, much of the material was repetitive.“Ethics review”:Let’s just say Australian universities are not UN-bureaucratic places. I was told I would need a remarkable amount of time to get any research involving human subjects approved by the university. Scholars should be aware that things move slowly within these channels. Female PGS 2007
I would also say, if at all possible, push to get SPACE at your university. It will make your life so much easier, particularly once you start your research. There is nothing as emotionally frustrating as having to carry 15 books around in your bag (trust me, as someone without space, I experienced this frustration on a daily basis). Female PGS 2005
OLP program is not aligned to Professional Scholars who deliver presentations to conference audiences within their professional field. The application for funding assistance was rejected. Male PS 2008