From Down Under to Down South
From Down Under to Down South is a twice-weekly reflection from an Australian making a life in the American South.
After moving from Australia to Tennessee in 2018, I began noticing the subtle cultural differences most people miss — the way politeness sounds different, the way goodbyes stretch longer, the way everyday moments quietly reveal what’s different.
Some episodes explore those contrasts directly. Others are quiet stories from the week — conversations and small moments that say something bigger.
It’s not outrage or culture wars. And it’s not a travel diary. It’s simply one Australian perspective on life between two countries.
If you’ve ever lived overseas, loved two places at once, or found yourself caught between familiar and foreign — you’ll feel at home here.
New episodes are released twice weekly as part of the broader From Down Under to Down South series across podcast and YouTube.
From Down Under to Down South
Work Culture Clash: Top 10 Aussie vs American Office Shocks
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Moving from Australia to the United States changed the way I think about work — more than I expected.
What feels ordinary in one country can feel confronting in another.
In this episode, I reflect on the biggest workplace differences I’ve experienced as an Aussie living and working in America — from annual leave and sick pay to job security, office expectations, and the quiet assumptions we don’t realise we carry.
We’ll look at:
• Paid leave and vacation time
• Sick leave and workplace protections
• Work–life balance in practice, not just in theory
• Communication styles and office culture
• At-will employment and what that means day-to-day
It’s not about declaring one system better than the other.
It’s about understanding how deeply culture shapes the way we work — and how disorienting that can be when you move countries.
Whether you’re considering working overseas, or simply curious about how Australia and the US differ behind the office door, this is a grounded look at life on both sides.
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Thanks for listening.
Hoo roo maties.
Check out additional content on our YouTube page!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjipgN51kc8swHyKeSx2tzw
