So far, my time in Sydney has been nothing short of amazing. My classes at UNSW are interesting, everyone is friendly, and there is no shortage of beautiful sights to see around Sydney. While there are many things I love here, my favorite part of life here is the Australian culture, or more specifically, the work-life balance here.
Someone once told me that Australians work to live, whilst Americans live to work. In my experience so far, that could not be more true. In the US, and especially at GW, life very much so revolves around work. While many people find that to be a gratifying lifestyle, I would guess that Australians would not. Here, they don’t ask what you want to do for work 10 years down the line; they ask what you’re doing right now. Their work-life balance is amazing. Work is simply not the most important thing in many of their lives. Instead, they value getting outdoors, spending time with friends and family, and taking time for themselves. They seem to prioritize these things more than Americans do. The result is a more laid-back lifestyle, one in which people are very present and happy.
This has been somewhat of an adjustment for me. At GW, I find myself always working, and always feeling the need to be productive. Often, if I don’t feel like I’m getting something done, I feel stressed. Since being here, even though I truly admire the Australian culture and work-life balance, I’ve struggled a bit to internalize it, especially at first. I sometimes feel the need to find things to do in order to feel more productive. However, I’m making an effort to embrace the lifestyle here. I work diligently on my schoolwork, and then I step away. For instance, yesterday, I had two classes in the morning, and then I went to the beach in the afternoon and relaxed. If I were at home, I would’ve felt the need to get ahead on work during that free time. As I embrace this different work-life balance more and more, I’ve noticed that it’s made me happier. I feel more in tune with myself and more present in the moment. While I’m still perfecting my own work-life balance, I know that I will try to bring this part of the Australian lifestyle home with me.
Lois Hargrove
Spring 2024
GW Exchange - University of New South Wales
Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Communication Major