1. Koalas do in fact smell like Eucalyptus.
2. Contrary to what you might think, Australia is not sunny and warm all of the time.
3. A lot of people ask about Trump immediately after finding out I’m from the US.
4. The sun is much stronger here. So far I have only gotten sunburned once, but I’m sure my pasty white skin will be in for a rough summer.
5. Gum trees. Gum trees everywhere.
6. The Asian food is impeccable.
7. My hosts are two of the best people I know. I honestly can’t imagine these past few months without them.
8. Vegemite isn’t as bad as everyone makes it out to be. It’s also much more versatile than I thought it would be. We put it in a lot of pasta sauces.
9. Melbourne is pronounced Mel-bin not Mel-born.
10. Magpies and Bin Chickens are the devil incarnate. But the rest of the birds here are amazing.
11. When someone offers you pie, it’s going to be a meat pie, not a sweet pie. And it will be delicious.
12. Instant coffee definitely isn’t good, but I’m getting used to it.
13. When someone offers you a cuppa, take the cuppa.
14. The time difference is incredibly difficult.
15. There are bakeries around every corner and I love it!
16. Helping out at a 2 hour beginners English class every Wednesday has been the most challenging/rewarding hours of my time here so far.
17. Dry heat is a lot different than I thought it would be. Instead of sweating, it just feels like my skin is burning off.
18. Homesickness comes in waves
19. “Good on ya” is the verbal equivalent to a pat on the back and I LOVE IT.
20. I have played more board games in the past two and a half months than in the past 23 years of my life.
21. A lot of the time I don’t feel like I’m being productive when I go to work, but I still look forward to it every single day.
22. Worship here feels a lot different even though it’s not. But that’s okay.
23. I really am exactly where I need to be right now and I thank God every day for that.
Peace,
Katie.
Katie's YAGM Journey 