Copywriter Anne-Marie during her time in Australia

Hey! Where are you from? Where do you study/live/work?

Hey! I’m from a small village in the Veluwe region called Ermelo. I live in Utrecht and study Journalism in Tilburg.

What was the first thing you thought when you arrived in Australia?

Where do I have to go? It was the first time I flew so far on my own. Everything for the trip was prepared, but upon arrival, I honestly had no idea what to do. I still had euros in my wallet, didn’t have the address of my host family (and this was before wifi was common), and it was around midnight. Luckily, everything worked out fine.

What was the most shocking difference between the Netherlands and Australia?

How kind and helpful everyone is. It sounds cliché, but it really was a “no worries” attitude there and everything would just work out.

What does your typical workday look like?

I worked in hospitality there, and it really depended on which shift I had. Often, the bar opened around 5 pm, then I’d restock all the fridges, set up the bar (connect kegs, clear tables, assist in the kitchen, etc.), take orders, serve food, run drinks, and clear tables afterward.

How is the work atmosphere at your internship company?

Very hard work, but at the same time very relaxed. When you put in an extra effort, you received appreciation in return, which was nice.

Did you ever experience homesickness? How did you deal with it?

No, fortunately I never really suffered from homesickness.

Do you feel at home in Australia? Why (not)?

Yes, absolutely. Everyone was so kind and hospitable, the weather was wonderful, and there was so much space. For me, it was the perfect country to go abroad alone for the first time. Plus the accent, I mean...

Is there a typical local dish you REALLY can’t eat (or really like)?

Kangaroo and crocodile — they actually just taste like steak or chicken — and of course Vegemite, which was really disgusting.

Give us tips on who you should befriend abroad. The Russians? The Irish? The Chileans?

Australians! They’re wacky but so much fun, always up for a party, just like the Brits and Scandinavians, by the way. With Americans, you almost always get a conversation about ‘the meaning of life,’ but they’re easy to connect with (and they’re everywhere). Sorry for the generalizations haha.

Describe the people of Australia in three words.

Hospitable, friendly, and patient.

What did you learn from your experience abroad? Was it the beloved community you liked? The cheap cocktails? The beautiful nature? Or was your experience less than expected? Details, we want details!

It was my first time going abroad without my parents and also to the other side of the world. I learned so much in a relatively short time—about spontaneity, connecting with complete strangers, and self-reliance. You can actually do so much when you’re forced to solve things on your own, and then you realize there are helpful people everywhere, which is a comforting feeling. The space and nature in Australia were amazing for me as a Dutch person to see; the distances that we would consider long were barely anything there. Everything is relative.