These US exchange students have had a taste of Australian life – in more ways than one.
Eight year 11 and 12 American exchange students from Estancia High School in Costa Mesa, California, have spent the past three-and-a-half weeks seeing the sights and trying out Australian cuisine as part of an exchange program between Estancia and Hoppers Crossing Secondary College.
Each year, a delegation of students from Estancia comes to Australia during their summer break, and Hoppers Crossing students return the favour each January.
Juana, Sarah, Lydia, Taylor, Matt, Brenda, Annie and Victor will fly home this week after visiting as range of Victorian landmarks – including the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, Sovereign Hill, Werribee Mansion and Geelong.
They also attended a debutante ball, AFL match and went ziplining.
The students quickly became fans of Nutella donuts, chicken parmagiana, dim sims and sausage rolls, but were slow to warm to Vegemite after Victor tried out a whole tablespoon on its own.
They were also bemused by driving on the “wrong” side of the road, roundabouts, and the discovery that household toilets were generally located separately to the main bathroom.
“Everyone says its amazing … [it’s great to] see new cultures and meet new people, and everyone’s so welcoming, you don’t feel homesick,” Sarah said.
