Before Departure

My orientation is on February 16th but I am flying to Sydney on January 21st to meet my host family, look for a job, and explore the city before my classes will start. One of my goals is to get involved in research at USydney in the field of neuroscience or clinical psychiatry, do horseback riding at one of the Sydney stables, and join one of the USydney organizations. 

My study abroad program (GlobaLinks Abroad) will held a Bringing Cultures trip to Cairns, where all of the students from USA studying abroad in Australia during Spring 2014 semester will meet and we will be introduced to the country and its culture. I just joined our facebook group and I am shocked. The majority of the students going with me on the trip are rich. As far as I know none of them will be staying with a host family. One guy put a post asking what is the best way to buy a car in Sydney because he would like to drive along the Gold Coast before our orientation in Cairns. Another girl just came back from a semester in France and wonders "what Australia has to offer." Students on the fcbk page that will also study in Sydney keep getting together to "visit Hawaii or Fiji on the way for few weeks." I do not think I belong there. 

After watching some Australian movies, reading the latest Australian news, and talking to people who have been to Australia, I came to conclusion that Australia does not differ from America at all. I am disappointed because I realized that I could have chosen to go to a third world country and gain a more enriching experience. Right after I came back from my week in Honduras, where I had no warm running water and ate eggs and beans everyday, I went with my family to Florida to our friend's house. In Florida I ate buffets all day and laid on beach during the day. Still, I realized that my stay in Florida was pointless and boring. Whereas my stay in Honduras was a way more enjoyable and made me happy. Since I got used to the American lifestyle, Australia, based on what I know about it so far, will not be anything new for me. Still, I do not want to make those assumptions but find out how Australia really is on my own. 

One of my biggest fears is that I will not get along with my host family. I will no longer be able to eat whatever and whenever I want. I will not longer be able to keep yolk on my hair in order to make it stronger (it actually helps!). And I will no longer be able to wake up at 6am to go running or leave my room messy. What if they will want me to stay with their children during my classes or work time? Or what if they will not like me at all?

Also, the thought of not seeing my family for over 5 months scares me.