Australia

Each student has a unique and individual experience on their Experiment program. The following essay is a single glimpse into a program from one student's perspective.

Brian Pisano--Australia (ASV)

My summer in Australia this summer with the Experiment in International Living was hands down the greatest summer of my life. From the second our group met in Los Angeles I knew that this would be a summer to remember. My experience in Australia not only educated me about a foreign culture, I also learned a lot about my own culture and about myself.

Just being in Australia was one of the coolest experiences I have ever had. The country and the Australian people were amazing. Everywhere we went in Australia people were always eager to talk to us, learn where we are from and they were unbelievably polite. Everyone in our home-stay community welcomed us with open arms and many of them were very curious to find out about our life and culture. I was delighted to talk to the Australians, especially the girls, and tell them about my life in American suburbia. My host family were amazing people and taught me a lot about Australian culture and they learned a lot about America through me. I loved every second of learning about another culture, from Aussie Rules "Footy" to meat pies. What I learned from living with an Australian family is priceless.

Our adventure through the outback was fantastic. I learned so much about aboriginal culture and I got to learn a lot more about my American companions. Being able to look out on the horizon and see nothing but desert and kangaroos for miles was a moving experience in itself. I'll have to say though that my favorite part of the outback was by far sleeping outside underneath the stars. Seeing the crystal clear, starlight skies of the southern hemisphere was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I remember vividly just lying down and gazing at the stars with my American buddies and just talking about life in general. I would give anything to be back in the outback sleeping under the clear skies.

I think the most valuable thing I took away from the Experiment was my interaction with people. I didn't think that there could have been thirteen more different people put in the same group, but the thing that really amazed me was the ability of all of us to get along so well. The friends I made on the trip are by far some of the best human beings I have ever had the pleasure to meet. The bonds I made with all of them are something that will be eternally remembered in my mind and heart. I can't stress enough how my perspective on people has changed since I returned from Australia and how much I personally have changed. I think through the Experiment in International Living I have renewed my perspective on life and have become a better person overall. My trip to Australia was more than just a summer vacation; it was a priceless journey that will be forever embedded in my memory. Those five weeks were truly the best days of my life.