The first thing I noticed after leaving the airport in Australia was that they drive on the left side of the road, and the drivers are on the right side of the car. Very bizarre from an American. I was exhausted when I first arrived, so I took a long nap, ate, and then immediately slept again. I was very glad to be done with my long 4 flights. The first thing I noticed in New Zealand was how cold it was, and the first thing I noticed in Fiji was how hot it was.
I really liked the Asian food in Australia. It tasted very authentic as someone who has had real Japanese food in Japan. I guess because Australia is so close to Asia, they have more authentic Asian food than we have in the U.S. My favorite part of New Zealand was Hobbiton. I am a huge Lord of the Rings fan, so this was a dream come true. I even bought the One Ring! My favorite part of Fiji was relaxing by the pool. We were all so exhausted by then that we really enjoyed just hanging out and talking.
Our classes were luckily very easy and interesting. We visited multiple businesses abroad, talked to executives and business owners, wrote a few essays, and created a business expansion plan presentation. Since my program was UA led and 2 different short sessions, my classes were more like short group projects that I would do at UA.
We went to a BUNCH of places in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. My favorites excursions in Australia were snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, boomerang throwing, watching an Australian Sydney Swans football game, and seeing a show in the Sydney Opera House. My favorite excursions in New Zealand were riding the luge, flying and boating in Milford Sound, attending a Lord of the Rings film tour, and visiting Hobbiton. My favorite part of Fiji was relaxing by the pool, walking the black sand beach, and learning about the culture.
I thought it was hilarious that New Zealanders call themselves Kiwis. Our tour guide in New Zealand was very engaging and funny. Luckily, everyone in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji spoke English, although the natives obviously have their own languages as well. The Australian accents weren’t as strong as they are in the movies, but maybe I just didn’t get to talk to enough people.
I bought entirely too many souvenirs. It was a hassle to get everything home. I ended up using half of my friend’s extra suitcase to pack everything! I had enough space in my suitcase to pack everything, but not enough in the weight limit. Some of my favorite souvenirs are my painted boomerang with the artist’s signature from Cairns, the One Ring from Hobbiton, blood wood honey from the Blue Mountains in Australia, and a cannibal fork from Fiji (it was too funny not to get). I also couldn’t leave without getting Sydney Swans’ merch (my last name is Swann).
