Ethno Centrism

So I finally got around to reading the stuff they were going to send me (from school) in Australia, but I got back before they mailed it. It sparked more thoughts of Australia and I figured I should write more about what I've been thinking about lately, with regards to that magical place on the opposite hemisphere from my home, North to South and West to East.

Which reminds me of the way Australians see a map vs. how we see a map (global) in America.

I think during the whole time there, I never shed my ethnocentric ways. It wasn't that I thought America was/is the best, it was more of a "I'm American, people here must be dying to get to know me and will assume I'm so awesome just because I'm American." Of course it wasn't true and never really happened, but I still felt it even though I was unsure why. I think it was because of the Aussie phenomenon. I'm dubbing it that because I don't know what else to call it.

If you (as an American) think of any type of person that would be most interesting, I'd guarantee that an "Aussie" would be high up or at the top of the list. It's just a stereotype I think. Australians and their accents just fascinate Americans for some reason. It's fact. It was the biggest reason why I wanted to travel there to begin with. I'm guessing because they are soooooooooo far away (though other places are farther--must be a mental image thing with the globe), they must be sooooooooo interesting and different from us.

They are and they aren't, I discovered. This comforted me and also made me a little bummed out at the same time. I regret not making more Aussie friends than I did, but I would have had to compromise my own self in order to do that, and I can't really regret that.

I am glad I got to see both schools though. I had the opportunity no other Bethel student ever had before or even had this time. Brianna told us that it was like walking in a musical in Australia at Wesley. I think she made it clear that it was only at Wesley, but I think I accidentally assumed all of Australia was like that maybe. Luckily going to the other school showed me how wrong that way of thinking was. UTS was how I envision most of Australian college students are like. Wesley is just 200. UTS is 200000000000000000 pretty much. I got to see that most of Australia is not like a musical.

I wish I had more time to delve into UTS life more. They invited me to a few random events that I found difficult to get to and experience. Oh well. At least one had drinking, so I'm glad I avoided it.

Now with the election and economy and everything, I'm torn between thinking America sucks and being proud to be American even still. Blah.

I miss Ash. And Vivian. And Alvin. And Lauren. And my bethel compadres. I hope to see Cameron soon at Bethel!

Peace out for now.