One cultural practice that I initially perceived as unfamiliar was the Australian emphasis on outdoor activities and physical fitness. Coming from a country where sedentary lifestyles are the norm, I was surprised by the number of people I saw jogging, cycling, and engaging in other forms of exercise. At first, I found this emphasis on physical activity to be intimidating and overwhelming. I was not used to the idea of incorporating exercise into my daily routine, and I struggled to keep up with the active lifestyle that seemed to be the norm in Australia.
However, over time, I began to see the benefits of this cultural practice. As I started to engage in more physical activity like surfing, I noticed that I had more energy and felt more productive throughout the day. I also appreciated the sense of community that comes with participating in group exercise classes or outdoor activities. I found myself making new friends and forming connections with people who shared my love of surfing.
This experience of going from finding something unfamiliar to becoming familiar has been an important part of my intercultural learning. It has taught me that just because something is different from what I am used to, it does not necessarily mean that it is bad or wrong. Instead, it is an opportunity to learn about a new way of life and to challenge my assumptions and preconceptions.
Additionally, this experience has helped me to change my self-perception. Prior to coming to Australia, I had always considered myself to be someone who was not particularly athletic or physically active. However, my experiences here have shown me that I am capable of more than I thought. I have developed a new appreciation for the benefits of physical fitness and have come to see myself as someone who is capable of achieving my fitness goals. Overall, my stay abroad in Australia has been an incredible opportunity to explore a new culture and challenge my assumptions about the world. Through my experiences with physical fitness and outdoor activities, I have learned that the unfamiliar can become familiar over time. This has been an important lesson in my intercultural learning and has helped me to change my self-perception. I feel grateful for the experiences I have had and excited to see how they will shape my future.