My Time In Melbourne

I can see the Big Dipper again

2008-07-08T00:41:00.000-07:00

So I'm finally home. and I've been home for almost 2 weeks.

The last time I wrote in this blog was before my trip to Sydney.

Sydney was amazing. I had a wonderful time touring the Opera House, climbing the Sydney Bridge, seeing the Aquarium, and Sydney Tower. I also cruised the Harbour at night, the Sydney skyline and view of the Opera House and Bridge at night is spectacular.

I met up with a long time pen pal type friend and we walked around a lot and later on met up with her friend and went out to experience the nightlife. We were so tired at first, but managed to stay out until 5:30am. Then it was back to my hostel.

I flew back to Melbourne for my last night. A bunch of my friends were already leaving for trips and home, but the ones I was closest with were still there and had a mini party in me and my roomate's "honor". I miss them!!

Then I flew after a 4 hr delay to Auckland, NZ. Quantas is currently having problems lately with their mechanics on strike, causing massive delays and cancellations. I finally made it to my hostel and rested.

The next day I flew to Queenstown, which is quite possibly one of the most beautiful towns I've ever visited. The town itself is located near a large lake in between mountains which over look The Remarkables. I decided to walk around town for a bit, which is very quaint and filled with ski shops and cafes. Then I hiked up to see a small animal reserve to see the Kiwi bird. After that I took the Gondola up to the peak of one of the mountains and stayed until sunset. I did a "luge" ride, which was this cart that you rode in and steered around twists and turns. Then I went back to my hostel for the night. The next day I woke up early and took a trip to see the Milford Sound, which was beautiful despite the fog and rain. I flew back to Auckland the next afternoon, and went to Waitomo where I went caving for 7 hours!. First I abseiled 100 meters (330 ft), into "The Lost World" and had to climb a 30 meter shaky ladder to get out of the cave. Then I abseiled into another cave, down 3 underground waterfalls, crawled through holes on my hands and feet and climbed real rock walls. When we finally were out of the cave it was nightfall and I hadn't seen sunlight in quite sometime.

The next day I had at my leisure and decided to walk the 20 minutes in the rain down "town" which consists of 4 houses, a convenience store, a pub and a couple of tour operators. I stopped in to see the Angora bunny rabbits, and then walked to the Waitomo Glow Worm caves. Unfortunately from all of the rain we were only able to see part of the cave because the rest was flooded.

After that I caught my bus to Rotorua and toured the geothermal area. I saw the largest HOT waterfall in the southern hemisphere, a mud volcano, lady knox geyser, the champagne pool, devils bath, etc and made a nice visit to the spa.

Then I took a bus back to Auckland where I had another 5 hour delay in the airport. My flight to LAX was actually almost cancelled. We arrived in LAX at around 4pm, causing me to miss my connecting flight to Newark by ten minutes, so I had to wait another 5 hours before I was home in my bed at 6am. The next day I had an interview which I didn't do so great on, I blame in part to the lack of sleep and stress from being in an airport for 15 extra hours.

and I've been home pretty much going into NYC for Co-Op interviews and eating some fine NJ pizza.

Its weird being home though, because I'm so used of being away and preoccupied with things. Where I live is so quiet and rural, its nice, but very different from Melbourne. I find myself not really wanting to see my old friends either, which sounds bad. I want to see them, but I want to see my other friends more. I miss them. I'm already planning my next trip back as soon as I can afford it.

Let The Beat Control You Now..

2008-06-10T01:57:00.000-07:00

So I'm all packed for home.

Of Sorts, have some stuff left to pack, but I'm going to Sydney for the weekend, then the next day to NZ & then home, so I can't really pack everything just yet.

I'm trying to get back in the swing of things back home. Heard Obama won the Democratic Election. I'm not surprised. And I'm still paying attention to new music releases. I hope I get an internship at Search Party or a job or something it would be pretty sweet. I have three interviews so far for other places.

It feels kind of weird, for the past month I wanted to go home, I missed it really bad, but at the same time, I've gotten used of being here, and this being my "home". So not coming back to my room (with a balcony, I so got spoiled this semester) is going to be odd. I don't know how I feel about living with my family again. I can't wait to see them , but I've become so independent, its going to be kind of annoying having to tell them every place I go and who I'm going with etc.

And then there's seeing my old friends, who I haven't seen in a year. See for others seeing their friends after 6 months isn't probably weird feeling, but I literally have been away from home for so long, almost a year straight now, and away from Boston for a year, (it will be another semester until I'm back in Boston), so I don't know. I'm coming back to friends, but I feel like the best friends I have ever made in my life are from this program. I'd do it again in an instant.

oh and sidenote: I am going to frequent asian grocery stores a lot more often now. I'm addicted to Japanese Soda etc. that my room mates introduced me to.

I'm officially on vacation

2008-06-03T20:35:00.000-07:00

Today was my last final, although the semester doesn't end officially until June 25th.

Two essays on Australia's identity and multiculturalism. I finished in an hour, everyone else took 2. That kind of worries me a bit, but maybe I'm just used to writing essay exams quickly.

So now its time to pack and clean and do all that junk I don't want to do before I head off to Sydney and New Zealand.

Oh and get those petitions for course credit filled out and blahblahblah. I just want to have fun my last couple of weeks here.

I'm going to really miss all of my friends, its going to weird I guess going home and not being around people from other countries. I've gotten so used to having friends from norway, sweden, malaysia, hong kong, just everywhere. The people I've met are amazing, I just hope I'm not bored or disappointed with my American friends that I haven't seen in a while. One went to France for a semester so I guess we can talk about that. I'm just so used to different view points and cultures now, not that America isn't a mixing pot, but meeting people who were born and raised in other countries is a lot different than meeting people who are from a different country but pretty much adopted the American Culture.

I don't know how I feel about that. I'm going to try my best to keep in touch with my friends I've made here, but I wish I could bring them all back with me! Even more so, I wish I could study abroad with them in another new country so we could learn about that country together too. I really felt like I was part of a group, we were all different but here together, far away from home, you all want new friends and you just get that sense of real friendship I guess because you're all in the same situation, experiencing new things, and have the same interests. I wish I had more time with them.

But I am excited to be coming home too. Its the same way I felt when I came home from omaha and missed my friends I interned with, you go some place for 6 months, you adjust and adapt and get used to the lifestyle and then you suddenly have to leave it. I don't think it'll ever get easier to do. I liked feeling like I was a part of something. But all things come to an end and then you start something new, like my upcoming internship in NYC.

The Final Stretch

2008-05-28T18:07:00.000-07:00

This week is for the most part the last week of classes. Then finals "begin".

I say that because I've already had one of my finals for American Music and Popular Culture. It wasn't too bad, but the listening was still really hard. I guess I just couldn't get used to the style of teaching they have in some of their courses.

Next Wednesday is my Contemporary Australia final. I really enjoyed that class, I think perhaps because it was taught the way I'm used to. Although we had a lecture and a tutorial once a week, the way the professor engaged the students and made us active participants in class was a lot like NEU. I gave a presentation for the class yesterday and I think it went over well, the Professor wants me to email him my charts that I found from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

My drawing and painting assessments are really soon! I'm actually quite happy with how my final painting assignment turned out and I think I'll get a better grade because of it. Let's hope for an HD, but probably more so a D (Distinction).

After that I really don't have to do much, besides see the city some more, and get ready for Sydney and New Zealand and home. I'm ready to be home. I've been ready for a month.

And I have at least two interviews in NYC for Co-Op to come home to! All my friends are graduating this year, and of course I can't wait to see my pets and family. So I have a lot waiting for me.

To be or Not To Homesick

2008-05-18T06:08:00.000-07:00

Not so much homesick anymore, on and off. I am really ready to get back home, I think its because I'm just excited for the future.

I haven't written in here in a while because nothing too out of the ordinary has happened. The same old class, projects etc. I'm working on picking up my grades, and going to study pretty much the next week for my American Music and Pop Cult. final. I think for the semester that was probably my biggest concern, keeping my grades up while trying to see as much of Australia and experience it, as possible. So the grades might have slipped a bit.. although I did get that HD on my first paper (A+ =) ), but in the long run, I went and did things, and I'm glad I have more memories of Melbourne besides a classroom.

I've been having to deal with a lot of issues back home. Financially its been tough, my mom broke her wrist in three places and so she's on disability, which means less disposable income, which means less of everything.

I also had to fix a big problem with Co-Op. It is difficult to get a good Co-Op while abroad. I would recommend not going on co-op after a term abroad, I'm doing it mainly because I don't have time left in my schedule to wait a semester, but I only have one interview because companies don't want to wait to interview me in person. I was kind of surprised though honestly, you'd think more companies would be interested in hiring a student who has been abroad and has had experience with other cultures and what not.

Oh and I managed to break my toe this weekend on top of things. I have to figure out first if you can even treat a broken toe besides icing it, then find a hospital around here, since I'm pretty positive the school doctor doesn't do xrays.

On a positive note, we celebrated 3 of my friend's birthdays. It was a good time and I got to finally go out in Melbourne and really enjoy it.

Right now I'm thinking about finals and projects. My flight home is June 20th, but I'm going to Sydney on the 13th - 16th. Then a few more days in Melbourne before I leave.

On the way home I'm going to be stopping in Auckland, NZ. I'm pretty excited for it. I never thought I'd make it to Australia, let alone New Zealand. I wish I had more time to travel to other countries nearby too, but I'm only 22 so we'll see!

I'll be seeing the Glowworm Grotto, Black River Rafting & Abseiling, hopefully the Champagne Pool, and ending my abroad experience with a nice trip to a spa/hot springs. I think that's a good way to end it.

of course I'm already thinking about finding a way to do a summer semester in Cambridge, just because, its Cambridge!

Am I a Monash Student?

2008-04-28T11:11:00.000-07:00

So, its that time of the year when the assignments and tests are piling up. Today I took another music listening test, it was so difficult. I think for me it was hard, because I just can't get used to this "taped lecture" style of learning, where the professor barely interacts with the students and only reads his lecture notes during tutorials.

But there is good news too. I'm almost done with my major research essay for my Contemporary Australia class. I've been avoiding it to be honest, but now that I'm 1400 words in, I'm actually quite excited to be learning more about Australia history. My paper is on Anzac Day, and whether or not it should be considered Australia's National Day. Its quite a controversial topic. I'm somewhat in the middle on the subject.

With that almost out of the way, I have to catch up on drawing and painting, and do one more presentation, then its smooth sailing until final exams and home. This has given me some time to reflect lately on what I want to take from my experience here. I spent the first two months traveling around the country, seeing things, doing crazy things I never thought I'd do like Skydiving, Swim under a waterfall in the Daintree Rainforest, Feed Kangaroos, See The Littlest Penguins waddle ashore at night, Learn to Surf, See the 12 Apostles, and Dive The Great Barrier Reef. I spent April being homesick, shopping, and doing assignments. Its made me realize what a great first two months I've had, and what a not so good April that I've had. I know that actually "studying" while abroad is important, and its allowed me to meet some really great people, but the Abroad part is more important. I say this because I want to encourage everyone who is about to embark on a similar journey, to not get too focused on the wrong things. Enjoy the things while you are away. Be a tourist. Do touristy things. The things I've seen and done are the things I treasure most.

after this period of unending work closes, I'm going to Sydney, and hopefully I'll have time and money to go back to either Cairns, Perth, or Uluru. I'm not sure yet. But I have to do something that gets me out of this current rut and back to how things were in February and March, because those are the experiences that make 30 hours on planes and in airports worth it.

2008-04-23T18:24:00.000-07:00

So it has been a really stressful week for me. I was dealing with issues with getting a Co-Op, still have to write two papers (one a major research paper), and do a presentation. I was supposed to do my presentation with this girl Natalie for my Contemporary Australia class on Australians at Work and Play, but she dropped the course. Fortunately, that problem was resolved and I have a new partner.

I went to a concert last night, for which I have to write a 600 word mini review on for class, that was due on Monday (oops), then I have to study all weekend for a test on Monday. I had to change my plans to go to Sydney until June (sigh), because I have a major paper due May 1st, so that needs to get done this weekend too. So much stress. I contemplated really wanting to go home and not have to deal with the everyday difficulties of being abroad and all this work on top of it. But things have calmed down and I have really great roommates who have reassured me that everything will be fine.

A boy back home sent me lemonade because I missed it and I know this is silly but I think my parents might send me some kool-aid too. So I do get a little bit of home every now and then to keep me from being homesick. I've realized its a lot easier to be homesick when all the cool new things are over and you have to get back into the routine of school work, and not going on amazing trips and seeing marsupials and surfing etc. Then it just feels like everyday life only far away from the typical people who are right there to help. Is it weird to be homesick in the middle of the semester versus the beginning?

I'm not sure, but I really do think in the beginning I was too busy meeting new people and seeing new things for it to really hit me yet.

FOOTY

2008-04-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

Footy. Today I saw an AFL game. It was pretty awesome, Australian Rules Football is quiet big in Melbourne. I learned the basic rules, which pretty are, kick a ball between the middle goal post, get 6 pts, hit the post , get 1, get it between the other side posts, get 1. And tackle people. It was great and I'll probably go to another game, it was only $20au to get in, which is incredible, the stadium had like 50,000 people in it, and yet its not nearly as commercialized as baseball or american football.

I think I'm going to go to another game on the 24th with some other friends, I really had a good time.

2008-04-13T08:18:00.000-07:00

So its the second week in April and its about that time where the projects and papers that I've procrastinated throughout the semester are starting to pile up. I have to do a 2000 word paper for my Contemporary Australia class, and go on two mini trips for it, then do a presentation for it on entertainment in Australia (the show Neighbours = horrid). Then I have still do 40 some sketches for my drawing course, a bunch of paintings and a visual diary for Painting, and catch up on my lectures and go to a concert and write 1000 words on a review for my American Music class. Sigh. Too much work, not enough play time.

All I want to do is go shopping, since the shopping here is nothing less than fantastic, and travel. I have Senoritus, or Study Abroaditus, I don't want to be in class.

I also don't want my roomates to continously stare at me whenever I cook dinner. I find it annoying. I understand that they are from Hong Kong and Malaysia and make different food, but I really prefer to cook alone, its kind of like a way of relaxing for me. Speaking of which, this week we are having an international food pot luck in our dorm. In my apartment actually, because our roommate Neero is the RA. It'll be fun, and nice to try some authentic (or as close as they can be), food from other countries.

Last week I went shoppping, I did a lot and still want to go more. Its kind of hard not to in the fashion capital of Australia, and went to this little chocolate cafe with Neero. It was fantastic, all they serve are chocolate dishes, I had the strawberries and chocolate and mexican hot chocolate. We walked around Melbourne Central, and it was nice. Felt like NYC a bit, or Park St. Then I went out to dinner with all of my friends, who I can honestly say I will truely miss. They are some of the sweetest, funniest, most amazing people I have ever been graced to meet. I'm so lucky to know them all, I need to hangout with them more often, but class is interfering! They are never judgemental, never condescending, always open minded, just lovely people, unlike most of the people I grew up with, or know back home.

That went off on a tangent, but to continue down this stream of consciousness, in a couple weeks I go to SYDNEY!. Yup. Anzac day is coming up, one of Australia's big holidays, which to the Aboriginals is more of a day of mourning than celebration, because it celebrates European "invasion" of sorts. Either way, I get a longer weekend, and am taking advantage of it by being a tourist and seeing the Opera House, The Bridge, etc.

And I almost forgot to add, last weekend I went to Phillips Island to see the Littlest Penguins (that is literally their name), walk ashore from their day of fishing. It was honestly one of my favorite experiences in Australia to date. On the way we stopped and fed some kangaroos and wallabies . It was kind of like feeding a horse.

At around 7:30 pm, the penguins started waddling ashore. It was really cute, because if one got scared the entire group would turn around and go back into the ocean. Once they crawled all the way up to the dunes, they would squeak and make noise searching for their mate and borough.

It was really interesting to see first hand.

2008-04-03T03:12:00.000-07:00

So it's been a while since I've written in this mandatory journal. I just haven't had the time honestly.

Where I left off, I believe I didn't write yet about my weekend trip to see The Great Ocean Road. It was incredible. The 12 Apostles are stunning, but the Loch Arch Gorge is even better. I was sick unfortunately the entire weekend and almost the whole week after, but still was able to enjoy the trip. My roommate and her friends from Canada all went along as well.

My favorite part was the surf lessons. I was so much fun, and I managed to stand up on the surf board a few times and give one of the instructors a high-five whilst surfing towards the shoreline.

After that, I had a long weekend of the usual lectures and tutorials and then it was our mid semester break starting on Good Friday. Here they celebrate Easter all weekend, so we had Saturday, Sunday, and Monday off just for Easter. The rest of the week we had off for semester break.

I decided this was a good time to do a trip across the country and see what another region of Australia is like. So what better than tropical Queensland/ tourist hot spot Cairns. Cairns is a very backpacker town. There isn't much in it, but it is base for all tour and adventure operations.

I booked through STA travel, which I regret doing, I suggest NO ONE book through STA Travel. They sincerely screwed up, I had to rearrange everything. Aside from that, I got to do a lot of amazing activities. The first day I went Skydiving over Cairns/ The Rainforest. It is seriously something everything has to do at least once. The scariest part is the plane ride. Then I took a day off, and went river rafting the next. I met so many people my age in the hostel who were backpacking through the country. I kind of wish I had their luxury of time, most of them had taken time off from school and were working at different hostels for room and board in a different city every month.

The next day I went to my first day of Padi Lessons. And the pool training plus my sinuses being clogged ended up in me canceling the Padi Course and doing a snorkel/introductory dive trip instead. I really wish I had gone through with the Padi Certification after diving in the Ocean, but I think I will have time to do so again in June. Deep Sea Divers Den was really great about it, and supportive with my decision, I will definitely take my course with them again if I have time. After 2 nights and 3 days on The Great Barrier Reef, we headed back ashore to Cairns for a farewell dinner and some clubbing.

And then I came back to Melbourne and had to get a cab at 2:30am, with a test the next day! And most of this week has been sort of a blur, I'm still recovering from all of the adventure, and trying to get some assignments completed.

Now that that is said, we can move on to living with roommates again. I remember two years ago when signs were put up all around our dorm room by my so called evil Mrs. Clean roommates. And my room here certainly isn't sparkling clean, but I've come to realize that people who grow up with maids are a whole lot worse. My roommate from Hong Kong uses all of the dishes and makes a complete mess of the place, including the garbage, and never cleans! Today I cleaned the kitchen just because I wouldn't even boil water in those conditions. And then I go afterwards to make myself something to eat and she gets pissy about wanting to cook too, after I had cleaned her mess. It just goes to show, that american roommates are not much different than roommates from around the world. I miss my loft in Omaha.

We're supposed to have a unit meeting about this, considering they also hog the fridge and the washer and dryer. I hope it stops, I really can't handle with living with other people.

I know that's a bit whiny and personal, but I can't really think about anything else to write in here, Australia isn't some crazy country that is different from home, I can't write about new cultural experiences every entry, because they just don't happen.

hmmm

2008-03-10T00:29:00.001-07:00

I've finally met some more Australians in my painting course. They're all really nice and helpful. I have to visit galleries for this course so they are going to show me where they are, since Melbourne is a pretty big city. I find it easy to get lost in, or maybe its just the fact that its still new to me and I don't have a car. I wish I did, I feel like I learn the city more when I do. I know more about Omaha than Boston, because I had a car and was able to go to more places that public transport lacks in.

My classes do keep me on the go though, and the Monash Exchange Club and Residential Services have atleast one activity a week planned for international students. Yesterday was the Moomba Festival, which was a 3 day festival and was supposedly in celebration of mauritius culture, although it seemed more like a typical carnival or fair.

Saturday I went swimming with wild dolphins and snorkling with seals. It was really cool to be up and close again to Australian Wildlife, an aspect that really interests me, since they consist of mostly marsupials (sp?), I believe, which are pretty much found nowhere else in the world. It was really tough though, we had to hold onto ropes and be pulled by the boat, and my body is still sore from it.

This weekend I'm going on the Great Ocean Road extravaganza, as it's called. We are going to tour the Great ocean road (obviously), which has beautiful scenic views of the ocean. On the first day we get to take a 2 hour surf lesson, which I'm excited for, how many people can say they've surfed in Australia? Then we tour some lighthouses and other monuments. The next day we get to see the 12 apostles, which I'm most excited about, they just look so beautiful and are unique to Australia, although only about 6 or 7 still remain.

Then the next week is my big trip to Cairns. I've told people about it, and learned that the reef itself is actually disappearing because of Global Warming and what not. This is disturbing, it is such a huge ecosystem of its own, and to hear its disappearing to me is quite scary.

My american music class is going well, it feels just like a music class at NEU, except there are more students in it, mostly from performance backgrounds. Contemporary Australia is really good as well. I feel like that class is teaching me the most about Australian culture. We've been discussing the Aboriginals, and their interaction with European settlers, its not too far off from that of Native Americans. Soon we'll talk about sports, which is a bit more of a happier subject.

I haven't had my drawing class yet but the professor seems quite nice and understanding, so I think it will go well.

Bussssy

2008-02-26T18:09:00.000-08:00

I've been so busy, I'm finding it really difficult to meet this journal requirement of a page a week. This week we started classes, as I might have said in the post below.

I'm still getting used to being lectured at, or going to the library to watch taped lectures, then having a 2 - 3 hour tutorial afterwards. I honestly don't like the style of teaching here. I feel like my classes at NEU were much more personal, and interactive. I fear that I just won't do as well in these classes because of the style of teaching. I am dropping my photography elective for this reason, and because we don't get to use the darkroom facilities until the next course. I'll probably take a drawing course instead. I really wanted to take the Experiencing the Australian Landscape course in its place, but it has a seminar at a time that conflicts with my American Music and Popular Culture (a class which I loathe but have to take since it will transfer back into my core requirements).

I had my Contemporary Australia course today, and it seems like it will be really interesting, the only downside is that we have to write two essays, one being on 2 major issues in Contemporary Australia that we have to find on our own, and I don't currently have tv for the news, or know which popular news sites cover accurate topics for Australia, it isn't due until March 20th, but I want to get it out of the way so I can relax and enjoy my spring break in Cairnes and what not.

I set up a Bank Account, but now I have go back to the Bank to figure out how to activate my card, then I have to go grocery shopping, figure out what class I will take in place of Photography and get enrolled in it before time runs out and get supplies for it, get to the Post Office (there aren't any near my dorm or campus), pick up my STA travel vouchers, watch 2 lectures at the Clayton Campus (a 20 minute bus ride away), do my laundry, clean my room, apply for a work visa and find a job, buy stuff for the apartment, and start reading and work for class. Meanwhile write in this journal and maybe have some time for myself to explore Melbourne.

I feel like I am going to explode!

2008-02-23T17:32:00.001-08:00

So, it has been a relatively crazy week.

I've pretty much just been hanging out and partying with my new friends.

We went to Luna Park with our campus, which is a pretty small theme park.

It was ok, nothing too special.

Class starts soon, its going to be different, just because of the whole taped lectures, then tutorial classes, and the fact that I am finally taking some studio courses and its been a few years since I've gotten to do that. I'm pretty happy about it though, I love creating art.

Its sort of been like a small vacation, since we had two weeks of orientation, one of which I skipped because it didn't apply to me.

Yesterday we went to Healesville Sanctuary and got to pet a wallaby, see a platypus (which are actually a lot smaller than I had expected), and some more of Australia's native wildlife. It was cool experience, I really enjoyed seeing the rock wallabies and platypus.

I have pictures, but since we still have to use the library internet until it is setup in our dorms, it takes a long time to upload them. I'll try and get some of my pictures from the past two weeks uploaded.

2008-02-14T19:41:00.000-08:00

So let's talk about food. Food here is expensive. Lunch averages at $13AU, which is maybe about 11 USD. I think I am going to have to get a job just to be able to afford to eat. The portions are also a lot smaller than what I am used to, and for the most part the cuisine is Asian. I'm ready for a cheeseburger, or pizza, but the closest pizza shop doesn't open until 5:30pm!.

Shopping here looks fantastic. The prices are equally as high, and I think it might be due to importing goods, and a much higher minimum wage. I was talking about this with my aussie friend Jack, and he mentioned that the minimum wage here is atleast $10 au, but most won't work for less than $15 au.

Melbourne is the fashion capital of Australia, and the mall Chadstone or Chaddie, is amazing. It has well over 100 stores, with brands specific to Australia. I need to save some money and bring back some to the states.

But I booked a trip to Cairns for Reading Week (our spring break), here for easter, they also get mondays off, and it is part of our break. I can't wait, I'm going to sky dive, river raft, and scuba dive the great barrier reef. I'll post pictures when I can, we still don't have internet/phone in our dorm.

I registered for classes on wednesday and allocated my preferences. This was new to me, since I am used of registering for classes and the time of class at the same time. Here it is much different, instead we had to visit the faculty that most of our classes fall under, since I am taking two studio courses as electives, I am under the faculty of art & design. So we had to be officially enrolled by that faculty. The way classes are setup, they have tutorials, lectures, and seminars, or studio if you're in an art class. Some of the classes have lectures taped, so you can watch them in the library and then discuss them in the tutorials. This might take some time to get used to, since I am used to a different style. I'm not used to have a separate lecture then a question and answering section, in fact I've never had a class larger than 100 students, and that was only a mandatory intro class.

Well now I must be off, there is a welcome dinner tonight for all international students, and I have to get ready to attend it. But before I go, I just wanted to mention how it seems alcohol usage is actually almost encouraged by the University. Transportation and special trips planned during orientation to local pubs is in abundance, and parties and drinking on campus at events is even advertised. Its definately different than back home, where most schools discourage partying and drinking. Tonight after the welcome dinner, they are even providing us a bus to the pub venue to party.

I am here

2008-02-11T23:19:00.000-08:00

So, let me just tell you, the flight from Newark, NJ to Melbourne is a tough one. So tough, you might contemplate is it worth it. So far I'm not sure.

I flew to LAX at 5am. Sat around for about an hour, then got on my flight to Sydney. 14 hours. I recommend Quantas, They fed us two full meals and huge snack bags and even hot chocolate every 2 hours or so, and they have tv/movies/games on every seat.

I, however was unfortunate to be in the middle seat with a baby kicking the back of my chair for a good 80% of time.

I arrived in Sydney and got through customs relatively quickly, only to sit for 6 hours waiting for my connecting flight.

I finally arrived in Melbourne at 7:30, only to have my baggage delayed, then soaking wet when I got it.

So, it can't get worse right? It does. I get picked up and dropped off to my dorm, only there is NO RECEPTION, No one waiting to give me my keys or anything. So here I am in a foreign country, with no working phone or means to contact my school, because the offices at the Caufield Campus are closed on weekends. Luckily, my driver brought me to the campus and we found someone waiting to get her keys and I managed to get mine. Let's just say that brochure that talks about International Mews is a bit off, and also, the Clayton Campus has a lot more services , even though the Caufield is almost entirely International Students.

It wasn't what I had expected, not at all like the reception at Northeastern when I first transferred.

I had to carry all of my bags by myself at 8am up 2 flights of stairs on 0 hours sleep. Welcome to Australia.

Then I had to find out how to get some basic stuff, like a comforter and pillows and what not, but there was no one to talk to. Luckily, my Canadian roomate, Kaylie, had gone through the same trouble a day before me, and knew where things were. So I went and did that, and I still don't know how I managed to walk 2 miles from a train station with everything I was trying to carry.

I didn't think I'd get culture shock or upset, but the first couple of days here I just was really questioning if I was ready for this.

But then we (me, Kaylie, and some of her guy friends from school) went to the St. Kilda Festival. St. Kilda is the closest beach near Melbourne. Not as lovely as the more eastern beaches, but still very pretty. It was quite exciting to see all of the Australian people celebrating in the street and on the beach. I'll upload some pictures when I get internet access in my dorm, as of right now I'm confined to the library.

I also had quite possibly the best seafood dinner ever. It was just fantastic, fresh, and great. Other than St. Kilda I haven't gotten the Australian experience yet, since I've been just shopping for the dorm and doing Abroad Orientation.

But I've already met so many people from all over the world, a boy from Sweden, two girls from I believe Norway?, my roomates from Canada, Maritius (an island off of South Africa), Hong Kong, and Malaysia, a few boys from Kenya , and a boy from South Korea who told me that it was an honor to meet me, since I was the first American he ever met. It caught me off guard a bit, for it to be an honor to meet me just because I'm American, I mean, here I am excited to meet people from all over the world, and I just never thought that my own nationality would evoke such a response from someone.

Today I met so many people from Malaysia because Monash has a campus there. They are some of the nicest people I have ever met.

I only met a couple Australians so far though! but that will change once class starts.

I find that where I am, the culture is much more Asian inspired. There are Asian restaurants everywhere, and we even have Asian food in the vending machines.

I also noticed that there are a lot of American chains, especially KFC and Target.

We have a lot of activities planned this week that will hopefully introduce us to Australian culture, though I find it interesting to learn about others as well.

Leaving on a Jet Plane..

2008-01-30T23:50:00.000-08:00

So I leave pretty soon for Melbourne. I'm getting a bit nervous as to what I should pack and how to declare it, and what is duty free and all this crazy customs stuff I never had to do.

I also got to sign up for some trips through my monash portal. I can't wait to go on them. Two of them are for Monash Abroad students only, which will be cool because I'll get the opportunity to get to know people from around the world. I signed up for The Great Ocean Road extravaganza, which looks beautiful. On that trip you get to see the 12 Apostles, play with Koalas, and learn to surf. I also signed up for swimming with dolphins, Headsville Sanctuary (really cool zoo where you can pet kangaroos etc), and the Koala and Penguin Parade (the littlest penguins in the world! they come ashore every night from their day of fishing).

A couple of other trips I will be taking in one of my classes if I register before it fills.

I can't wait.

Pre-Departure

2008-01-19T22:50:00.000-08:00

So I figured I would start my journal once arrived in Melbourne and my program started, which isn't until around February 7th, but then I found some ideas from the OISP site about suggestions for a Pre-Departure journal that sparked my interest.

Here's the list they offer and my response:

What are your goals and objectives for studying abroad?

So far I would say my biggest goal for studying abroad is to see as much of Australia as financially possible. Over the past few months I've done some extensive research online to learn about all the parks and places to visit. If I can I would definitely like to do a trip at the end of my program (my visa extends until July 30th!) with Adventure Tours to see the outback, Darwin and Ayers Rock.

I also want to meet new people and make friends in Australia and from other countries as well. I feel if I don't leave with some really good friendships that my trip will be almost a failure. Connecting with other people from different parts of the world is one of the main reasons why I chose to study abroad in the first place.

I also believe this experience will help me become more independent. Going so far away from home will mean less care packages from mom & dad, setting up my own internet and phone accounts, living on a more strict budget as my visa doesn't allow me to work and getting the necessities to live in a foreign place. The thought is rather intimidating, but exciting at the same time.

2. What do you hope to gain from this experience (personal, academic, career)?

Well I think I pretty much summed this question up above in my personal aspect. As for academic, I think it will be quite interesting to see how a foreign school system operates. I will be taking mostly electives that appeal to my personal love of the arts and travel, which I think will make me more satisfied with my academic path. Lately, I've felt rather stifled in my major because I haven't had the opportunity to take many classes outside of it and I have so many interests I wish to engulf myself in. I think this opportunity will refresh my enthusiasm that I had freshman year.

Career wise I think studying abroad will prove to employers that I am an open minded and determined individual. I would hope so at least! The application process alone is enough to deter those who aren't positive that they want to study abroad. I also have been thinking about working abroad after graduating in London for Polydor Records, so having experience abroad will also hopefully prove to them that I am able to relocate and mature enough to handle myself properly in another country.

3. Why did you select the program you are going on?

I selected this program mainly because, how many chances do you get to spend 6 months in Australia? The country is beautiful (from what I've seen from pictures), and financially, it just makes sense in comparison to all the other programs. I know one day I will be able to see Europe, but Australia might not be as easy an opportunity. What's even better is that I get to really experience it, by living there, instead of just vacationing and visiting tourist attractions, which of course I will still do!

4. How does it feel to leave friends, family, and NU behind?

Well to be honest, and I know this might sound cruel, but I am excited to leave and discover a new place with new people. I don't have many close friendships in NJ, or Boston, and my best friend moved to Florida after Senior year in High School, so I'm used to not being near my friends. I also made some amazing friends in Omaha who I won't get to see for quite some time that I would miss either way regardless of being in Australia or Boston. To me I guess, its not really different being 4 hours, 12 hours, or 18 hours away, if you're still away, so I might as well spend that time in a place that fascinates and excites me. I'll always have my family, and will be on Co-Op for 6 months in NYC and living at home, so while I guess I might get homesick for my dad's cooking, I know it won't be permanent and won't let it affect my time in Melbourne. It doesn't feel bad at all really, the excitement currently masks any worries or fears I might have. And I know this might sound bad, but I haven't had a strong tie to NU yet. I transferred in the Fall of 2006, but was Co-Oping for the past six months, so while I love NU and the opportunities it has provided me, at the same time I feel somewhat disconnected from the Boston Campus Life. Also, while I may not be on campus, I'll still be able to be in contact with the school and friends via online and this journal, so no tears shed.

So now that that is finished..

I can continue on to talk more about my pre-departure!

I decided to opt out of the NU and ASA arranged flights and booked my own tickets. Now if you don't plan on staying in the country past your program dates then I wouldn't recommend doing this, but for me it was the best option. I will be flying from Newark, NJ (my home airport), to LAX (now I can say I've been to California even if for only an hour), and then from LAX to Sydney. Once in Sydney I have a 6 hour layover (eek, maybe I can leave the airport and visit my friend from there in the mean time/ snap a picture of the Opera House), and then I fly into Melbourne. When I leave, which is currently planned for July 29th, I will pretty much reverse that itinerary. A lot of flights, and A lot of jet lag. And A lot of dry airplane food.

I'm actually quite stoked about that though, I've never been on a flight longer than the one to Omaha, so I'll get to have my crummy airplane meal instead of a crummy airplane cracker. I'll update and give a nice Top Chef worthy review afterwards. Let's see how stoked I am after the flight from LA to Sydney. Ok enough of my flying itinerary, besides the fact that I saved about $100 from booking my own flights.. due in part to my ISIC card =).

Packing. Packing intimidates me. Mostly because from checking weather reports, Melbourne seems to have quite a sporadic climate. It can be clear and sunny and warm, then in an hour be cold and rainy. And I don't get 10 suitcases..imagine trying to bring that much through customs? And I will also be there from late summer - fall/early winter. I think most of my items will be purchased in Australia, bedding, towels, toiletries , electronics etc. My biggest concern is getting my cameras and laptop through customs and what not as I've heard from friends and family that it can be difficult at times. I've never been on an international flight so I'm not so sure..My plan is to bring one suitcase at most, as anymore would be just difficult and unnecessary.

Spring Break. I know it might be a bit too early to be thinking about this, but Monash University offers a mid-semester break from March 21st - 28th, (my birthday is the 23rd woo), and I think this will be a great chance to visit another part of the country. I've been thinking sincerely about Cairns and going scuba diving on the great barrier reef and rafting in Cape Tribulation or taking a 7 day trip from Perth - Broome and getting to see Karijini National Park (it looks incredible and if I don't get to see it I will definitely have to go back some day). Hopefully my new friends at Monash will want to come with me.

So I guess this kind of wraps up my first blog, my hopes and anticipations for the next 6/7 months.