Australia v.s. Taiwan Culture

Australia is filled with wonder and nature. Although we mostly went to the cities: Melbourne and Sydney, we also went to national parks and other places where you can find breath-taking landscapes and unique wildlife. During the short period I was there, I have noticed its significant difference culturally, socially and environmentally. 

Whenever we would go shopping and check out, the people at the register would make small talk such as “how are you” or when you’re done, they would say “have a nice day.” This was different from the habits in Taiwan, where the people at the register don’t really talk to you. I think talking with each other brings more life and makes me feel like they are more irreplaceable by robots compared to those in Taiwan. 

However, I did not like the fact that stores such as shopping malls are closed before 6, 7 at the latest. In Taiwan, stores are open until 10:00, where people are still in shopping malls at 9. I prefer the stores in Taiwan because you can still access things you need easily after the evening, where there are numerous stores still open after midnight. In spite of that, in Australia, it allows employees to go home and be with their family, which is not as signified in Taiwan. 

Another thing that surprised me while I was in Australia was the amount of Chinese people. When we went to the University of Sydney, we coincidentally walked nearby their exam hall, where more than half of the students were Asian. There were languages that were familiar to us and I did not know that before going there. 

While we were in Australia, it was summer in Taiwan and winter in Australia. Australia’s weather, especially Sydney, was so comforting and breezy compared to the sauna-like steam room weather we have in the summer. The warm sun is matched with the crisp air is the perfect combination. When we got to Melbourne, it got a lot colder, more specifically when we went to Phillip Island. 

In Phillip Island, it is a tourist attraction where you can see the Penguins go back to their shelters. The staff there told everyone that photography and videography is prohibited and we should be quiet and respectful, as we are in the penguin’s habitat. To my surprise, many people obliged, or at least they waited to get out of the seating area to take pictures and it was quiet. In my opinion, if this happened in Taiwan, it would not be as quiet and without chaos. 

With this trip, it made me realize how different each country is, whether it’s in how people act or how people interact. Sometimes, Taiwan feels as if it is in its own small bubble, and with travelling, it allows me to widen my perspective and compare and contrast others with my home country. I think travelling better prepares me for the future when I go overseas.

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