Studying law abroad in Australia.

Australia compared to the U.S.A?

• I’m a fifteen year old girl, and am in year eleven of High School. Australian high school only started three weeks ago, so I’m in my third week of being a year eleven. The old man has gone barking man. He told as this arvo we are packing us up and going to the USA because he’s landed a good job opportunity. Mum’s not very happy but she’s sticking by Dad. His job is in New York, what is New York like? I’m not trying to be a knocker but I’ve never left Western Australia- I’ve never even been on an aeroplane and I’m not sure if I’ll fit in very well. Come on, they don’t spell colour with a U and they spell apologise is a Z which in my books is odd. And the government is quite odd in the U.S.A as well, with the whole separation of power thing. I like Australia’s system of Responsible System. I like the fact the legislative and executive powers in Australia are combined. I think it’s fantastic the fact our head of government must be a member of parliament, and that all government cabinet members HAVE to be members of parliament as well. It’s the opposite in the U.S.A. I like the fact we have compulsory voting, and that people don’t get to vote for our Prime Minister, that the leader of the political party with the majority of support in the lower house of parliament gets to be head of government. Stable and more simple than people voting in a completely separate election for a president, which they have is the U.S. I love Aussie Rules football, something unfortunately that is not really played in other counties. The thing I’m really gonna miss is footy, I’ll miss going to the matches and barracking for the Freo Dockers and then afterwards coming back and having a barbie with my mates. I’ve done a little bit of research and found some basic info such as the fact those poor buggas can’t drink until they are twenty-one (here it’s eighteen)-damn, I was looking forward to drinking in three years. The public schools don’t have uniforms- over here we do, so that’s gonna take a while to get used too. They don’t sell my favourite bikkies- no Tim-Tams! What are the high school kids like? Do you think I’ll fit in? I don’t want everyone at the high school taking the piss out of me, so what should I do? Will they hate my accent? I don’t really want to come across as a dag, bogan or a drongo because that’s the stereotype we get. Heck the rest of Australia calls us that, Western Australia is considered by the other states to be the most backward. I love Australian public high schools, the unity of everyone wearing the same thing, the fact all the school buildings are separate and are surrounded by bushland, the laid back and friendly attitude of both teachers and students. But the thing I am interested in the most is the schooling. I’ve just started year 11 a few weeks ago and do pretty well in school. Here I am taking the classes: Politics and Law, Modern History, Drama, English, Geography and Maths. So I was just wondering what is the comparison between schools like? I’m worried because all my classes are heavily based in the Australian system, reading Australian books, Australian English, learning about Australian history, studying Australian drama texts, using Australia’s mathematical system, I know they use different measurements in America. So what will happen when I enter an American High School? I’m fifteen and in year eleven, so will I have to go back a few years or something? Even if I am an straight A student in Australia? But in general what are the standards like in American schools? In New York schools? What is it like going to school in the U.S? Educational and behavioral wise? Any tips or advice about doing well and fittings in? How do American and Australian high schools compare? Cheers. Thank you.

• Answer:

  I'm sorry I am unable to answer any of your questions. BUT I do wish you well when you get to the USA and that you fit in and that nobody harasses you because of your accent. I would think that teachers would take into consideration the difference in the way our two countries spell different words. You will find it different in many ways but being young it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Who knows you may get to like it eventually. Anyway GOOD LUCK.