One of the reasons it's such a pleasure to hold class in Australia during January focuses on the strong cultual (and somewhat outrageous) activities that surround Australia Day.

January 26 in Australia feels like the 4th of July, New Year's Eve and Columbus Day--combined. Folks throw their steaks on the barby, celebrate their country's diversity and simply have a smashing good time.

This day traditionally marks the landing of Captain Arthur Phillip in Sydney, claiming Australia for the British Empire. Though it has often been criticised, it remains the most inclusive celebration of a national day in Australia, expressing the national diversity which has become such an important part of the Australian national character. It's a day when 600 Australians are named and honored for contributions to their country. In Brisbane this year, new citizens were sworn in at City Hall and the Australian and Aboriginal flags were raised at Roma Parklands.

Australian National Anthem
Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free,
We've golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare,
In history's page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share:
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

One of my guilty pleasures during Australia Day is to attend the traditional (26th annual) Coackroach Races at the Storey Bridge Hotel in Brisbane. This is not an event for the faint of heart... or average tourist.

Fourteen individual cocky races take place throughout the day. Nearly 600 Aussies surround the official piece of canvas which marks the legendary race track. For each race, about 30 cockroaches are given names like "Waltzing Mat Cocky" and "Cocky and Bullwinkle" (for $5, which is donated to Mater Children's Hospital), numbered (with white-out) and then placed in a clear plastic container.

Each race begins formally with the entrants being brought into the ring accompanied by marching bagpipers. The race officially starts when the steward lifts the gate (plastic container) and the roaches scurry about. The first lucky roach to cross the outside line on the tract is declared the winner. Unlucky roaches are smashed or thrown into the crowd.

It's a cultural experience that clearly demonstrates the sporting nature and fun-loving spirit of our host country. It also proves some of the most significant intercultural lessons aren't academic but just plain fun.

--joanne lisosky