University of Wisconsin–Madison

Australia: Talia Bergerson (Learning on excursions)

A soccer field at night surrounded by bleachers full of people.
The Rugby League game hosted at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia.

In my studies at the University of Sydney, I am taking a course called “Sport and Learning in Australian Culture”. The main components of this course consist of attending field trips to various Australian sporting events. It is only midway through the semester, and so far I have attended a Rugby Union and Rugby League game (two very different sports with drastically different atmospheres), a greyhound race, a surf lifesaving course at Bondi beach, a “captain’s run” for a Rugby League team called the Rabbitohs, a horse race, and lawn bowls. Each trip has introduced me to new aspects of Australian sport and the ways in which it is integrated into the social life of Australians.

All of the excursions were exciting and a great way to get a hands-on experience with a unique part of Australian culture. A lot of the sporting events I have attended are outside of the “normal” sports in America. It is hard to pinpoint a favorite since they have all been so unique, but one thing I really enjoyed was getting to see the Rugby League game. The game was a battle of “Sydney”, with the two teams both having their home turf in the city. This caused there to be a massive turnout of spectators, all repping their team: the “Roosters” or the “Rabbitohs”. One major aspect that has been different between Australian and American sporting events is the commercialization aspects. In America, all of our events are highly commercialized, with games being stretched on and on for commercial breaks, halftime games, and fan-based interactions. But at Australian events that is minimized. Instead, the main purpose of attending is purely to watch the sport and cheer on your team. Personally, I like the culture of Australian sporting events a lot more. They are more laid back and enjoyable, with a focus on the actual sport being played instead of on commercial profits.

 

Talia smiles in front of a bright blue door, underneath a flowering pink tree.

Talia Bergerson

Hometown: Burnsville, Minnesota

Major: Philosophy with a Certificate in Criminal Justice

Program: University of Sydney – Exchange

I hope to pursue a career in either International, Maritime, or Environmental law (or a mixture of the three), and the University of Sydney and Australia in general are places where these interests perfectly intersect!

CRICOS Provider: 00026A