Monday, July 23, 2012

Culture shock and the things I learnt in Australia

These are some of the things I learnt whilst in Melbourne. I know I had a hard time settling in but things are much easier with this guide.
image courtesy of Google images

1) People love to walk barefoot. In China everyone wears shoes.
2) People love to walk their dogs in public- in China not so much
3) The different cuisines. In Hong Kong there are a few different cuisines, but Melbourne has much more. In fact it is a little like Europe.
4) The bus stops have no name but a number, so it is hard to know where you are or where things are. The bus drivers can sometimes be of no help.
5) Everything comes late all the time and everyone stresses. In China all the trains come on time and they are really fast and clean. Where as in Melbourne the trains are overcrowded and dirty.
6) People speak in Aussie slang and they speak English fast. The Aussies would say g'day mate for hello and other things.
7) Melbourne has four seasons and it can rain unexpectedly. So true so bring a brolly (umbrella) everytime you are out or risk getting soaked.

8) There's free paper at the train stations for you to pick up and learn English.
9) There's no conductors and you have to buy a ticket yourself using the machines. The machines can be a little ticky to understand by as time goes by it gets easier. In China there were always conductors and tickets were very cheap. In here an adult ticket costs around $7.60= 48.62CNY. But if you were to get a Myki ( a reuseable plastic card) it is $6= 38.39 CNY and then you have to put money on it as it comes without money

10) There's no concession ticket for students, unlike in China. If you buy a concession ticket without a valid Victorian concession card then you'll be fined $207. Which equates to 1150.98 CNY (http://www.ozforex.com.au/currency-converter). A full fare monthly myki is $120 which equates to 767.13 CNY
11) No spitting is allowed in the street or otherwise you'll be fined. In China and Hong Kong it is ok to spit anywhere in the street.

12) Strangers talk to each other and can ask for help. You can walk into a store and ask for help. Australians are generally very friendly and willing to help you.  In China this never happened much. In fact Australians are laidback, friendly and relaxed people in nature.

13) Atlhough everyone is friendly, there are a few racist people. Racism is everywhere at night in the city. A few Chinese students were beaten in Sydney earlier this year.

14) The ticket machine always breaks down and the drivers do not care- they just drive off and leave everyone in the lurch, hence the ride would be free
15) We have to save water and water is very dear here. Melbourne has been in drought season for quite a few years, but that's about to change.
16) The air in which we breathe is clean but dry at times.
17) Smoking is banned here, but in China people smoke everywhere.
18) The academic system at RMIT is less formal. People call their teachers by their first name, wear casual clothes to uni and learning is by understanding not by rote.

19) There are quite a few homeless people in the streets of Melbourne compared to China. They usually beg for money.
20) We have a lot of pubs here and unlike China they serve English food such as Parma and Fish and chips, not so much in China.
21) It takes a few months to settle down properly and not be so homesick.

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