Submitted by Emma Morandi on the 2024 Winter program in Australia…
After over 25 hours of travel, I made it to Australia! It is beyond amazing here and I am so grateful to be a part of this trip. My first impression of Australia is that the locals here are so nice. Each interaction I’ve had at a coffee shop, restaurant, shop, or even in public has been amazing. The workers here are so hospitable and make you feel like your experience is the most important thing. I definitely had a culture shock when I learned that people don’t tip here. It shocked me because the service is fantastic and everyone treats you with respect without the drive of earning money. The locals don’t judge you for being a tourist; rather enjoy starting a conversation about our culture and travel. They have welcomed us to the city and have made the transition process much easier.