Saying Goodbye

My final week in the classroom has arrived, and I’m feeling so bittersweet! Over the past seven weeks, I’ve grown so much and truly fallen in love with this place. Saying goodbye is hard, but I’m also excited about what’s ahead!

Last weekend, I spent another day at the beach. The weather is warming up, so I took the train to Cottesloe and spent the day exploring on my own and relaxing by the ocean. I treated myself to a acai bowl from Daisies, a sweet little café near the beach. These solo adventures have been some of my favorite moments on this trip. They’ve helped me grow in independence and taught me so much about myself. I absolutely love this beautiful place and will miss it deeply, but I’m also looking forward to reuniting with friends back home (though I’m dreading the freezing temperatures—I’ve gotten quite used to the warmth!).

I only have two and a half days left with my students, and this week is going to be so emotional for me. I’ve felt such a strong connection with this group of kids and have learned so much from them—about teaching, about Australian culture, and about myself. Even at just five and six years old, they embody the self-awareness that’s so prevalent in Australian culture. Aussies emphasize the importance of mental and physical well-being, setting social-emotional standards, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The food here is so clean and wholesome, with many ingredients commonly used in the U.S. banned here!

I’ve also been inspired by their mindfulness about the environment and care for their communities. Recycling, composting, and reducing waste are priorities for schools, businesses, and individuals. Plastic bags and takeaway cups are rare here. It has been cool seeing this in practice in a culture as a whole. These sustainable practices align closely with what’s been important to me even before I arrived. I hope to be even better at these things when I return!

Another thing I’ve loved learning about is Australia’s focus on reconciliation with the Aboriginal people, including the Noongar in the Perth area. Schools teach kids about Aboriginal culture and language from a young age, which I find so encouraging. The Aussie culture emphasizes care well, something we could all get a little better at in this world!

This week will fly by! My parents arrive in Perth on Wednesday, and we’ll get to spend a week together visiting all the places I’ve come to love before heading to New Zealand the following week. This time has gone by faster than I ever imagined!