Exploring Australia: Specsavers, Sunshine and Sexism
When I found out I was coming to Australia for two weeks, I was so excited. Australia’s completely the other side of the world to my home in Birmingham. I fantasised about what it would be like: kangaroos hopping round, koalas on every corner, barbecues every night. It would be so different to what I’m used to.
But when I got here, the first thing that struck me was how similar everything was. Getting the bus from the airport, I noticed they drive on the same side of the road as us. When I got to the bus station, the first shop I saw was a WH Smiths. In fact, lots of the shops are the same: Specsavers, Zara, Laura Ashley, Vodafone, Starbucks, McDonald’s, KFC. The first night I was here, I was truly adventurous and had tea at Nandos (although it wasn’t as nice as the ones in the UK and they didn’t have my favourite Wild Garlic and Herb sauce) and then went back to the hotel and watched Homes Under the Hammer, Time Team and Coronation Street.
JUMP! Around the World – Ayşe in Turkey
Have you ever wanted to know what it is like to grow up in another country?
We continue our Jump! Mag tour of the world in Turkey, where seven-year-old Ayşe lives.
Hello Ayşe, How do I say hello in Turkish?
Merhaba Annie!
What are your favourite subjects at school?
That’s hard… I think most of all I like learning Turkish language and…….music.
What kind of music do you like listening to?
I like to dance to pop music like Rhianna and Adele but I like Turkish music too, I like a rock band called Duman.
What games do you like to play with your friends?
Mostly street games like Tag and hide & seek, it’s fun to chase each other around.
What do you like most about being a girl?
…….I think maybe because…you can have a baby… Also at school at playtime, the boys are always chasing each other and fighting and being a bit rough, and they can be like that with each other but not with us, they can’t be so rough with us. I like wearing dresses also and dressing up!
What are your favourite words in your language?
I love you…….mum.
If you could choose any country in the world to visit, which would it be and why?
I want to go to America, to visit my Aunt in San Fransisco, I want to swim in the sea in Mexico because my Mum has told me all about it. I’d also like to go to Africa, to visit the different native tribes that live there.
How would you describe your village to someone who wanted to visit here?
I live in a fishing village, it is very sunny, there’s no snow here! We have the sea, which I like to go swimming in and I like to go walking up around the mountain near the sea which is beautiful.
Annie-May Gibb is a freelance writer, who is passionate about creating a better world.
She mainly works on projects that work to instil equality and confidence in young people. She is also passionate about using tabasco liberally on most foods.
Here is some more information about Turkey
Turkey is a large peninsula that bridges the continents of Europe and Asia. Turkey is surrounded on three sides by the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Aegean Sea. Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, is built on land in the Bosporus seaway. The city is partly in Europe and partly in Asia. Turkey is larger than the state of Texas.
Is Our Fate Really Out of Our Control? – Written By You
Do you think that our lives are set out before we are born, and things are ‘just meant to be’? That’s what we mean by ‘fate’, a force beyond our control that determines our future. Gabriela has been thinking about this since her English class held a discussion on the topic, and she shares her thoughts with us.




