Before I traveled to Australia, I got told by my friend to look like an idiot for the first few weeks. I have an urge to always look like I know exactly what I am doing, and I told her that I was worried about looking like I had no idea of how to function as well as learning how to function in a new country – quite contradictory if you think about it. She told me it was ok to look like an idiot and to not know what I was doing (she moved to England to do her undergraduate degree and has adjusted to life abroad) and told me that the best way to learn is to ask questions and be confused. Acting like you know what you’re doing when you don’t is going to slow down your adjustment and make it much harder.
I was lucky enough to travel to Brisbane and Cairns the last few weeks before flying to Sydney a few days ago. I have seen some of the most amazing things – from the Australia Zoo to the Great Barrier Reef – and tried some of the food that is associated with Australia in the United States like flat whites and vegemite. I’m certain I have looked like I didn’t know what I was doing loads of times while I’ve been here both when I first got to the country and in navigating a new university with classes starting up, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve met some extremely kind people and learned so much about life in Australia and I can’t wait to continue learning throughout the semester!