US woman reveals Australian culture shocks as she moves home after five years

A US expat who spent more than five years building her dream life in Australia before returning to California has revealed the biggest culture shocks she struggled to accept. Sophia Kim, 35, uprooted her life in Sydney to return to the US to be closer to family following a difficult pregnancy and health issues tied to mould. During her time living in Australia, she experienced a series of eye-opening moments, from the realities of winter to tall poppy syndrome and Australia’s “nanny state” mentality. “Like most Americans, my idea of Australia came straight from Hollywood — a sunny paradise filled with gorgeous surfers, koalas, and year-round beach weather,” Ms Kim told the Daily Mail. “My first winter completely shattered that illusion. I quickly realised that Sydney and Melbourne can get genuinely freezing.” Ms Kim said the biggest surprise was the heavy rainfall and humidity. “Sydney actually receives significantly more annual rainfall than famously rainy Seattle,” she said. “Between the howling southerly winds and massive downpours, I ended up buying more raincoats and rain boots than I ever needed in California.” MORE: ‘No idea’: Woman cops $30k bill, loses home ‘F***ing tax th...