I left the US for Australia. Here are the differences I've spotted in the culture and job market.

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Left: Aolin Xu. Right: Sydney skyline
Xu is a dual citizen of the US and Australia.

Courtesy of Chloe Cheung; Gallo Images/Getty Images

I shopped at Costco in the Midwest and New York City. Here are the most surprising differences I noticed.

Tech Insider : Travel
Talia Lakritz at Costco in New York City.
The author at Costco in New York City.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

In Norway, I had the same teacher every year, which is called 'looping.' It's proven to benefit students.

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A split image with two photos. In the photo on the left, Jessica Furseth sits on the ground, cross-legged. Jess has light brown hair in a short pixie cut and wears a blue and black ombre sweater, blue jeans and black sneakers. The photo on the right shows a lake surrounded by snowy mountains and a small group of houses on raised beams.

I shopped at Trader Joe's in the Midwest and New York City. Here are the most surprising differences I noticed.

Tech Insider : Travel
Talia Lakritz outside Trader Joe's in Wisconsin
The author outside Trader Joe's in Wisconsin.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

I shopped at Trader Joe's in the Midwest and New York City. The prices were the same, but the experiences couldn't have been more different.

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Talia Lakritz at Trader Joe's in New York City.
The author at Trader Joe's in New York City.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

I visited Target locations in New York City and the Midwest. The 2 stores felt like totally different chains.

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Target in the Midwest (left) and New York City.
Target in the Midwest (left) and New York City.

Talia Lakritz/Insider

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