An international student smiling in a bridge

Some culture shock Filipinos experience in Australia

ប្រធានបទគ្របដណ្តប់

If you’re an aspiring international student and thinking about possible culture shock you might experience in the land of kangaroos and barbecues, just keep on reading to set your expectations.

Trust me, you'll want to know this.

Some differences between Australian and Philippine culture:

1. "Mamser" vs First-name basis

In professional or even just social setups in the Philippines, we usually call our superiors “Ma’am” or “Sir” to express politeness. In Australia, you might be shocked at how everyone is comfortable with calling their higher-ups by their first name. Yes, that’s perfectly normal in Australian culture. Everyone is treated with respect regardless of their profession so it’s okay to call your professor or boss by their first name.

2. "OT culture" is not very popular at work.

It is quite common for Filipino employees to extend working hours to meet deadlines and finish tasks. In Australia, on the other hand, work-life balance is valued. In fact, when you stay at work beyond working hours, your Australian colleagues will remind you to go home.

Most Australians won’t bug you with work when you’re on leave and when it’s beyond working hours. Also, just a quick reminder to never follow the "Filipino Time" in the Land Down Under. There’s no such thing as fashionably late in Australia so you better get used to being on time.

3. Drinking tap water is fine.

Drinking water straight from the tap is normal in Australia. A number of laws and regulations around the country require all tap water suppliers to implement a quality assurance program to ensure safety and potability.