American expat who moved to Australia in January lists the 'weird' culture shocks she's faced so far - from eating kangaroos to 'bad' Wi-Fi and dual-flush toilets
- Kaymie Wuerfel, from Clearwater, Florida, moved to Sydney, Australia, in 2020
- She started sharing videos on TikTok about her experience living Down Under
- The wife of an Australian citizen, she is learning to live abroad for the first time
- She loves that Australia has a free healthcare system and delicious frozen Coke
- But doesn't understand why the colloquialisms are so complex to understand
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
An American expat has revealed some of the 'weirdest' things she's discovered about Australia - and the things that make it 'better' than her home country - in a series of TikTok videos.
Kaymie Wuerfel moved to Sydney in early 2020 after tying the knot with her Australian beau, and has been 'learning to live there' amid a dangerous bushfire season and coronavirus pandemic.
The bubbly brunette has posted a series of social media videos comparing Australia to America, particularly in relation to their slang terms, healthcare system and delicious - but 'different' - food products.
Kaymie Wuerfel moved to Sydney in 2020 after tying the knot with her Australian beau, and has been 'learning to live there' amid the coronavirus pandemic (pictured at the Opera House)
THINGS THAT AMERICA HAS THAT AUSTRALIA DOESN'T
Kaymie grew up in Clearwater, Florida, which is not unlike the eastern coastline of Australia, where she now finds herself.
But there are three things in America that can't be found Down Under, and that she sorely misses about moving away.
'Americans get free refills on drinks, we have drive-thru Starbucks everywhere and Chipotle restaurants - which serves Mexican food,' she said in a TikTok video.
Kaymie grew up in Clearwater, Florida, which is not unlike some of the eastern coastline of Australia, where she now finds herself
She said that most people in suburban America own a washing machine and dryer, whereas she found a lot of Australian households only come with a washing machine (pictured are her plane tickets to come to Oz)
In the United States a driver pays for petrol - or 'gas' - before they fill up the car, but in Australia you pay after you've filled up a certain amount.
She said that most people in suburban America own a washing machine and dryer, whereas she found a lot of Australian households only come with a washing machine.
However this could be because she's renting in the city, rather than living on a larger piece of land away from the CBD.
THINGS THAT AUSTRALIA HAS THAT AMERICA DOESN'T
In Australia Kaymie discovered that individuals can get a 10c refund just for recycling, there is a free healthcare system called Medicare and dual-flush toilets exist.
'I don't think I've ever seen a dual-flush toilet in the United States,' she said, which allows the user to flush using either a small amount of water or a larger amount.
Australian cross walks also make noises to signal when you can move forward - while America's lights don't come with any 'noisemaking abilities' - and the frozen Cokes at McDonald's are different to those you buy at a movie theatre.
In Australia Kaymie discovered that individuals can get a 10c refund just for recycling, there is a free healthcare system called Medicare and dual-flush toilets exist
'And why do you eat your national animal? The kangaroo? We don't go eating the bald eagle, we protect it,' she said
'In Australia you use PayWave, which we don't have in America, electrical outlets have on and off switches and you have chicken salt,' she said.
While these are all aspects of the country she appreciated, Kaymie couldn't understand why Australian wifi is 'so bad', given they were the nation that invented it.
'And why do you eat your national animal? The kangaroo? We don't go eating the bald eagle, we protect it,' she said.
She found pavlova tasted 'weird' but was a big fan of Weetbix, Anzac biscuits, sausage rolls, pizza flavoured Shapes, Caramello Koalas, Cherry Ripes, meat pies, Golden Gaytime ice cream, lamingtons, Milo, fairy bread and Vegemite.
Kaymie samples each of these national favourites on her social media channel.
While she misses American food, there were a number of Australian treats she was a big fan of
PRONUNCIATION THAT AMERICANS FIND 'WEIRD'
Kaymie offered advice for fellow Americans wanting to make the move Down Under, saying that Australians have their own special way of speaking she is yet to fully understand.
'Even if you speak English you're going to have no idea what they're talking about,' she said.
Brands like Nike and Adidas are pronounced differently, as is aluminum foil, which confused her.
Nonetheless she said Aussies are 'literally the funniest people in the world' but you 'just don't pick a fight with them'.
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