We learn a lot of things from traveling. I will never forget a short trip to Australia last winter vacation although it was only for six days and seven nights. I had a free ticket to go there at the end of last year. I felt it was like a big gift to me after hard working. It snowed a lot the day I departed. The snowy scenery out of the window made me get lost in thought. I seriously thought about the most important thing in my life and what I am doing to help achieve that. People say traveling is out of their routine life. It sure is, and it makes people have a chance to look at their past and have a new dream to live for the future.

It took 10 hours and 20 minutes to reach Brisbane International Airport. It was clear summer weather in Australia in contrast with snowy winter weather in Korea. I felt it was like a different world. Australia has six states. The population of Australia numbers only half of Korea’s, but they have 36 times bigger land. I really envy them. I spent the first two days in Brisbane and then went to Sydney. It took one and a half hours by airplane.

“The earth is not only for humans.” It is the sign I saw in the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane. It showed how much Australians put effort into preserving natural beauty. I heard they don’t build plants much because it destroys nature. Australians have the law which ensures a tax reduction in order to keep the natural environment if someone builds a house in red to match the colors of the sky and the forest to create a balance. They think these colors, red, blue, and green, balance each other.

There were a lot of old houses in the center of downtown Sydney. It looked strange to me thinking about the city of Seoul in Korea. They have a law that the owner of a house cannot rebuild his house when it passes over 75 years old. It is one good example of how much they try to preserve the old heritage of Australia. I think they have a strong will to preserve their own things because they have a short history. Korea also tries to keep cultural assets well, such as the South Gate, the old entryway into Seoul. However, Korea fails to preserve some of its national heritage despite our long history. That’s why we often see our beautiful cultural properties in other countries. It is such a shame and the result of having weak power.

I thought about what makes a country an advanced nation after traveling to Australia. Australia was not an advanced nation at the beginning of its history. People in Australia looked relaxed compared with Koreans. People take care not to trouble others. For example, they wait in line well. Its not easy to see in Korea. I really don’t know why it is so hard to keep in a line in a public place in Korea. A lot of accidents happen because people don’t stand in line in Korea. Korea is still an underdeveloped country. We must know our weak points and try to get rid of them.

This trip to Australia was too short to see everything, but I think it made me have a wide view. I always feel I learn something when I go somewhere else even if it’s not a trip abroad. It’s true it was nice to see the unique animals and to tour famous places in Australia, but the most important thing was left in my heart. I realized who I am and what I have to do to live happily. It was worth finding myself from this short trip. I will never lose myself again in life.