Stranger danger. These words are ones that I was taught all my life growing up in the United States; don’t talk to strangers, don’t take anything from strangers, walk away from strangers and find someone you trust. Of course, these lessons have served me well and I am grateful for my parents and guardians throughout my life who have protected me from the potential dangers of strangers. However, as I have studied and lived here in Australia for the past three months, I have found that strangers have been the best way to find out more about this magnificent place. This is not to say that I am not safe about who I talk to, but I’ve found that striking up conversations with wait-staff at restaurants, people sitting at nearby tables in cafes, and those who I have met on my various adventures in Australia, has been the best way to experience the culture here. I have found that there are on better storytellers than those who have grown up here and have stories to tell, and that it is okay to ask friendly looking people what they would suggest for adventures in the Gold Coast or in Australia in general. Just as I would hope that I would be able to help someone traveling to the East Coast of the US find something to do, and instill them with local knowledge, I have found that the locals here are just as willing to help me as well. Funnily enough, I have learned the most from people I never would have otherwise talked to. Back home, I was often afraid to talk to people who I didn’t know. Having my head down, walking quickly, and avoiding eye contact was my usual way of approaching life. However, here in Australia I have made it a point to observe and engage other people. I make sure to smile more, ask questions if I have them, and listen to the stories that people want to tell, and it has been so incredibly worth it. Throughout my time here I have met people from all over the world: Australia, England, Switzerland, France, Sweden, Italy, New Caledonia, Japan. These wonderful people with their stories, wisdom, and kindness, I never would have met had I stuck to the strict Stranger Danger policy that had been instilled in me since birth, and it has by far been one of the best rule-breaking things I’ve ever done (sorry, Mom).
On the topic of moms, mine was wonderful enough to take a trip to visit me a month or so ago and stay for two weeks. This brings me to the answering of the question of what the most interesting thing I’ve purchased while abroad is. Though not exactly a thing, I purchased an experience: horseback riding on the beach of Noosa. For 175 AUD I could ride a horse by the name of Moose for two hours on the white sand beaches of North Shore Noosa, while waves crashed around his hooves, seagulls spiraled and looped above us, and the wind blew across the sand. This experience is one that I never would have done if not for my mother who found it and experienced it with me, and we both agreed that it was one of the most surreal moments of our lifetimes. In terms of cost, this horseback ride was relatively cheap compared to some of the other popular attractions in Australia like skydiving, bungee jumping, and snorkeling. Though I have not done the former two activities, I did participate in snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, which wasn’t a cheap experience. However, when I knew that I would be studying abroad I worked extra shifts and overtime to save up enough money to participate in all the activities that I would potentially want to do. If you can save enough money and calculate how much you must spend and save to do all that you want to do, it isn’t so hard to stick to the budget at all!
