Things I've learned.

Here are some of the differences between the US and Australia.

1. They call cookies, biscuits.

2. Its Celsius not Fahrenheit, and Kilometres not miles.

3. Fries are called chips. This took some getting used to. Sometimes I still expect potato chips when I see the word chips on a menu.

4. Australians like to abbreviate. 

    Examples: McDonald's= Macca's.  Breakfast= Brekky. Central Business District= CBD

5. Things are not pronounced how they are spelled. 

    Examples: Melbourne=Mel-bin. Brisbane= Bris-bin. Canberra= Can-bur-ah or Can-bruh (still not entirely sure which) Cairns= Cans

6. No one says G'day mate. A few people do say mate... but not many.

7. Tim Tams are the best biscuit ever... but I've already told you this.

8. It is not shrimp on the barbie, its prawns on the barbie. 

9. Kangaroos do not hop everywhere. (See my video below) Also people do not ride kangaroos to school or anywhere for that matter. (I didn't think this, but I just thought I should clarify since I have been asked)

10. Alligators are squishy, not scaly and rough like you think. 

11. Canberra weather is completely wacky. I think that's why people say its so horrible. 

12. People actually really love vegemite here. They eat it on toast with butter. 

13. Everyone wants to know about Jersey Shore. They are a few episodes behind here, so when they find out you're from the states they want to know what happens next. 

14. They call it America here, not the US, not the United States, just America. 

      Example: "I'm going to America next year." or "O, you're from America?'

15. They don't say fall or spring. They just say the month. 

       Example: "In September I am going to America."

16. Bandicoots are actually kind of cute. They only live on Northhead which is where my school is. 

17. Students wear uniforms all through elementary up to high school. 

18. Highschool is called college. College is called uni.

19. Everything is more expensive here. Chicken Mcnuggets will set you back at least $8 for a whole meal.

20. The seasons are backwards. If its winter at home, its summer here. 

21. They drive on the left hand side of the road. Not the wrong side, the left side. 

22. Pancakes are hard to come by, and unless its breakfast they are served with ice cream.

23. Whip cream= cream. 

      Example: Do you want cream on top of your ice cream?

24. They love techno music. 

25. Sunscreen is an absolute must, even if you're tan. There is a hole in the ozone that is right over Australia, so you must reapply!

26. No shirt, no shoes, no service doesn't apply. People walk around everywhere without shoes, into stores, around the mall, down the street, EVERYWHERE!

27. Koalas are just as cute as you think. 

28. There is no 42 Wallaby Way Sydney. 

29. Apparently I have a very strong Minnesota accent, and say Minnesota and boots weird. 

30. Everyone in Sydney goes to the beach on the weekends and everyone from the beach area goes to the city. 

31. They don't call Sydney by name, they just say the city. This is also true of other big cities.

      Example: I'm going to the city.

32. Surfing is way harder than it looks.

33. Australian accents are just as cool, if not better than british accents.