Hello from Australia! by Jack Oistad

My name is Jack Oistad, and I’m a Junior studying abroad in Australia for the Fall semester. My major is International Business, so therefore I needed to study abroad. My secondary major is German, and I intend to intern in Germany in the future to give me working experience in both majors. I’m studying at the University of New South Wales in Kensington, which is a little outside of Sydney. I’m the first College of Charleston exchange student to go down under at UNSW (the exchange program started this semester.) I chose to come to Australia for a lot of reasons. First off, I’ve always wanted to go to Australia, and since it’s a fifteen hour flight, I thought I should have a lot of time down here. Then I wanted a study abroad where I wouldn’t get behind in my business course. Luckily a lot of UNSW credits directly transferred to Charleston. Lastly I wanted a new experience to contrast where I’ve already been. Australia was perfect since they are English speaking country with proximity to a plethora of new places for me in Southeast Asia and Polynesia. I also can’t wait to see all of the amazing sites to see inside Australia such as the Barrier Reef, Uluru, and the Great Ocean Road!

Most of my goals are about travel and experience. I want to see and explore as much of Australia and surrounding countries as I can since this is an experience of a lifetime. The biggest travel goal I have is going camping under the stars at the big red rock of Uluru. That is the most “Aussie” experience to have in my book. 

In regards to research, most of my knowledge comes from pop-culture and youtube videos about Australia. Since this is an English speaking nation, it will be easier to pick-up on customs and traditions. I know I have to try Vegemite and Milo, and that Blooming Onions do not actually reflect Aussie cuisine.Other than that most of the knowledge I will retain will be from the experience of living in Australia. It will be an adventure and a learning experience for sure!

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