Critical Reflection Report - Essay Example

I do not see worth in talking, discussing government decisions and weighing the pros and cons, offering alternatives etc. I consider it a waste of time, because government is not the business of citizens. Australians do not think that way. They are nosy, argumentative, and fly off the handle easily. Sometimes I feel they get excited for nothing. We are happy because Chinese work hard, building a strong, healthy, economically viable, ideologically Communist future China, which can challenge any country.

We have achieved a lot, economy is stable and growing, reduced the population, and remained totally disciplined and committed. When I came to Australia, this belief underwent sea change. First there was a cultural shock of politics and way of life. I was unprepared to the absolute difference in Australian society, government and values posed in front of me. Initially I lived within the Chinese group. This clannish grouping provides security and avoids confusion. Slowly I expanded by friends' circle into Australian students, who are absolutely nonchalant about international students and I ventured into a totally different world.

Australians are proud of their heritage, continent/country, and feel that it is a matter of achievement that a country of convicts could build a modern egalitarian society, in a rough, unexplored land. Their love for music, entertainment is louder than their white counterparts in Western countries and they have a good sense of humor. They gamble, drink, rejoice and while older people go to pubs more, people of my generation prefer discos and that was an enchanting world for me where I could meet many friendly girls and boys.

Australian food has many Anglo-Celtic and European dimensions I was told, and the traditional aboriginal food like dishes made out of kangaroo meat, emu, snake, eel etc. are not uncommon and Australians are tremendous eaters and that has never stopped amazing me although I like their food. Comparatively Chinese live frugally. Holidays, travelling, festivals, actually any reason to rejoice never go waste in australia. Again in China we are rigid, regimentalised about holidays and missing work.

Here the social life is friendly, laid back, easy going, loud and gay. There cannot be a greater contrast than in the political system of the two countries. In a way, looking at their isolation, it is surprising that they are not terribly territorial. There is stark contrast in every field. Drawing a comparison is almost impossible, while contrasts are aplenty. I think Australians have a confused and a bit low opinion about China's politics. To me it looks calm and organized, compared to the noisy street politics of Australia.

Quantifying any experience is not easy; still I should admit that I liked this new experience. I know we make an economic impact, and have social value; students here are keen to know about us, just as we are about them. We know more about democratic way of life and its institutions. Though there is no longing for them, it is necessary to know the contrasts. Crossing national borders could be foundation for future ventures keeping up with the globalization and Australians understand our situation.

"They usually encounter anunfamiliar culture with a different set of behavioural standards, new institutions andsets of rules associated with them, a foreign language, and an