Student Spotlight: Dominique Gooden in Australia
What is the relationship to food that the people in your host country have? When do they eat? What kinds of foods and ingredients do they eat? Are meals usually with a group or alone? Are there any traditions or customs surrounding food that aid digestion?
“Australian cuisine is very meat centric. I'm still learning about Australia's national dishes, but I've enjoyed most of what I've gotten to try so far. For example, meat patties and sausage rolls are very common and are to my liking. I've also enjoyed local snacks and "fairy bread", which is white bread with butter and sprinkles. Vegemite is very popular here and accompanies bread rolls, but I personally am not a fan of it.
Australian cuisine is not the only cuisine featured here. Australia caters well to many international cuisines, and it is common to see dishes featured from southeast Asia in particular. Some people are open minded to try international cuisines while others prefer to stick to Australian cuisine. During my first week, I went to the Eat Street Festival and there were many people enjoying international foods. I had ordered Japanese Okonomiyaki and matcha pancakes and it was worth the price! The festival is one of my favorite memories I've had so far. It was fun getting to know new friends, catching up with old friends, and enjoying the overall ambiance of the festival.
Many people generally eat between 7-9am for breakfast, 11:30-2pm for lunch, and 5:30-6:30pm for dinner. Meals are usually with a group, but it is also okay to eat meals alone if you need quiet time or have a busy schedule. Many people here are also huge fans of coffee shops and pastries to snack on during the day!
I'm not sure if there are traditions/customs regarding food that aid digestion, but what I have noticed since being here was that mealtimes for dinner are earlier than what I expected. At first, I thought this would be problematic for me because I had a tendency to eat my dinners late when I was in the US (around 8-9 pm). But the earlier dinner times have not bothered me as much as I have expected. After eating dinners, I hang out with my friends and we play games, watch movies, or do homework. This is a positive shift for me, and I have noticed the health benefits of not eating my meals so late and having time to digest my meals before bedtime.”
What does daily movement look like in your host country? Do people mainly drive cars or use public transportation? Do they walk or bike? Do you see people exercising? Are exercise facilities available and accessible?
“Movement in Australia is very sporadic. People usually don't confine themselves to one place and they like to go outside and explore the continent. People mainly drive cars, use the metro or busses, or they ride on e-scooters. The metro system is very popular because fares to and from destinations cost only 50 cents, which is really convenient if you want to take a day trip somewhere more distant and can do so for cheap. I've found that it is much cheaper to travel around Australia in daily life than it is to travel within the USA.
Walking is somewhat popular. But lately, there has been construction underway in many parts of Brisbane, which has made it challenging to navigate transportation from time to time. Additionally, we've recently experienced a cyclone and tons of flooding, so I haven't seen too much walking traffic. But I imagine when the weather improves, there will be more people outside walking. Walking is great exercise, but some people pursue exercise beyond walking.
There are gyms around the city and in residential accommodations. Primarily, you see university students and young adults using the facilities, but older adults use the facilities as well. The exercise facilities where I live are somewhat outdated and are not the most accessible. But many of my peers have recommended exercise facilities in Toowong Village, which are more updated and accessible. A new exercise facility is being built at my accommodation, so I have not been able to exercise too much apart from playing sports and swimming. But I look forward to utilizing exercise facilities in the near future or getting involved with workout groups.”
Is there a cadence or rest in your host country? Do people generally go home or start their work or school at a certain hour? Do they have periods of rest during the day? Is there urgency or relaxedness in your host culture?
“People mainly wake up at the early hours of the morning (between 4-6 AM). This is often because the sun tends to rise very early in the morning. I've found it hard to wake up beyond this hour without light-blocking curtains. Some people use this hour to get an early start to their day, but others use the time to rest and not rush their day.
Generally, people start their days early (between 7-8am) and finish around 5pm, so commuting around campus during these times can be hectic. Based on my class schedule, I'm generally free during the mornings and can start my day without feeling rushed. I usually feel relaxed throughout the day, unless I have a busy day or have deadlines to meet.
The work culture in Australia is also relaxed as well. People often wear smart casual attire to work and there is no pressure to "dress up". This is a contrast from work life in other Western countries where Western business attire is expected.
Generally, life is not "rushed" here and there are ample spaces to enjoy the nature or have a coffee with friends. People are generally productive during the days so they can rest and enjoy their nights. Nightlife is very popular in Australia, and it occurs during the weekdays and weekends. Overall, rest is very normalized in Australia and people like to live in the moment and enjoy life.”