Imagine you have traveled to Australia and are waking up a vibrant sunrise and tropical breeze. You get up and walk out to see the views around you. Then, you head to the beach. The breathtaking clear waters and white sand engulfs your toes. Your eyes ponder to the vast space beyond the sea. For miles and miles all you can see is ocean and sky, blending together to form a blue abyss. Now, imagine coming back to Seattle and back in a city where everything is in constant motion. For Senior Eliza Nenke this is her reality.

Senior Eliza Nenke has been immersed in two different cultures all her life. She was born and currently lives in the United States, but she is constantly pulled back to her heritage, her roots, Australia. From a young age she would visit Australia three times each year, during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the Summer. As she reflects upon her experiences in Australia, she realizes the impact it has made on her today. Eliza’s favorite aspects of her homeland are the weather, the nature of the people and the community within Australia. Eliza describes how “anyone on the street would say hi to you.” This is not the general greeting you receive in the states. The outgoing nature of the native Australians is what constantly makes Eliza feel at home. She also describes how she feels like she knows everyone. The tight-knit community she’s surrounded by in Australia is a home for her, a safe and comforting place. Eliza also enjoys the traditions in Australia. Eliza reminisces about her family traditions, “I remember going to my beach house, playing tennis and then on Christmas day, our family would eat scrumptious meat pies and Australian sweets.” Her and her family make the meat pies together which is a bonding experience. That is probably why the Australian community is so close, the traditions they share bring them together.

Although Eliza loves both Seattle and Australia, she finds Australia to be her home. One of the most profound things Eliza has noticed about herself and her various cultures is the fact that when she is in Australia, she says she’s American, but when she’s in America she says she’s Australian. Eliza finds herself torn between the two alternate societies. And, like I said, Eliza finds Australia to be her safe and comforting place and is looking forward to possibly flying there for college.