I think that the Australian perspective on healthy foods is better than the United States’ attitude towards food. Although sometimes I miss American junk food, I think that when I return to the United States, I will be more conscious of my eating decisions.
Another perspective shift is the treatment and consideration of less fortunate peoples. While living in Chicago, I encounter a lot of homeless people. They live on the streets and are often ignored by people passing by. In contrast, while walking around Melbourne, you see many people affected by homelessness being approached by people who sit and talk with them. They make them feel like they are not being ignored, and they often support them by buying them snacks or meals. I’m sure that this happens at times in the United States as well, but in Melbourne, it seems to be much more common. I’ve been told by my Australian friends that Aussies are raised to be very considerate toward others. One of the vital viewpoints they are taught growing up is that people should always work together and offer help to better one another. I think that this is a beautiful attitude to have towards life. We should always work to lift each other up!
Another major difference in attitude is the importance of school uniforms in Australia. Almost every school in Australia has a specific uniform that students are required to wear, even in public schools! In the United States, there are some private schools that require students to wear uniforms, but it is definitely less common than in Australia. Australians believe that wearing a uniform promotes the concept of teamwork and lessens the chance of being bullied based on clothing choice. However, in the United States, some think that uniforms limit self-expression and creativity.
