Hey guys, I have a few questions. So I was nominated to go to Australia this summer for 17 days with a bunch of kids that I don't know yet.  It's called People to People. My first q Is has anybody done this?
I want to go as a guy. I will be living with a family for a few days so would I live with a guy or a
girl? Also we're going to be doing stuff like going deep sea diving so what kind of swim suit would you guys recommend? Thanks

My kids have both been nominated to be in the program ... we opted not to send them.

However, their friend that did go had wonderful times & learned alot about culture and history.  If your parents are on board with it all I would tell the folks the truth and be your true gender.  As for swimming ... just get a pair of board shorts, wear a binder & a rash shirt and your good to go.

Thanks for the reply. I Think there is another meeting for it soon so I'll learn more then

Hey man, People to People is a great experience. I went to Japan for two weeks three years ago. I wasn't out then though. But definitely be yourself. You'll have an even better time that way. Go for it~

Quote from: seanstartrunning on February 04, 2011, 02:17:46 PM
Hey man, People to People is a great experience. I went to Japan for two weeks three years ago. I wasn't out then though. But definitely be yourself. You'll have an even better time that way. Go for it~

I know someone who went there then

Good for you!  Go as who you want to be and know you are.  The people meeting you for the first time have no former impression of you to fight against.  So they will see you as you present yourself.  It will work out fine! 

As for swimming I use my binder, a tee shirt and swim trunks.  That's probably not ideal but some guys do wear tee shirt with their swimsuits so whatever.  I did get some weird looks but that was before I was passing so well.  If I did the same thing now perhaps it would be different.  Make sure the tee shirt isn't white otherwise it will show your binder when you get wet. 

I almost got to go to Australia through that same program I believe -- then 9/11 happened and my ma said no way.

Anyways...same advice as everyone else. If you can go and present as a guy, do it, because you'll probably have loads more fun that way. Perhaps a rashguard would draw less attention than a tee. Actually, there's a strong surf culture in AUS so they're probably even less likely to look twice at a guy with, like, board shorts and a rashguard.

And don't forget...have fun!! Enjoy yourself.

Quote from: Noah G. on February 04, 2011, 04:13:08 PM
Perhaps a rashguard would draw less attention than a tee. Actually, there's a strong surf culture in AUS so they're probably even less likely to look twice at a guy with, like, board shorts and a rashguard.

Ozone layer dudes, the motto here is "slip, slop, slap": slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat, skin cancer is taken seriously. IME it's more common for guys to wear a shirt than not, I've never felt out of place swimming with a binder and shirt on.

Question tho: when you say "this summer" do you mean your summer? Cause that's winter over here, if so a wetsuit would be more applicable, maybe even a dry suit *shivers*

Hmm to be honest I have no idea when I'm going. My parents just went to the first meeting about
It last week.

If you're going to visit Australia during one of our summers, it would be stupid NOT to wear a shirt of some kind. It's summer here now and we've just experiences the worst heat wave in 153 years of recording (30+ degrees celcius, right up to low 40's), there are warnings on TV about the possibility of dying if you're not careful, so wearing a shirt wouldn't even get you a second glance.

However, if you're coming in winter, a proper wetsuit would be much more advisible. Despite what people think, as hot as our summers can be, our winters can be just as chilly depending on where you are (where I am I've seen it drop bellow -10 degrees celcius), and the water can get icy this close to the antarctic.

I think you should really just be yourself, the people here are pretty accepting, and I don't think you should have any problem being seen for you who are 

If you can't get a rashguard try a muscle shirt instead of a regular t-shirt.