Ok so it took me a little bit longer to begin blogging than I had originally planned. I am going to try my very best to keep you all updated-but can't make any promises because I am very easily distracted, especially by all the things that I can do around here!
I think the most difficult part of this adventure was not being able to use any technology (we didn't have cell phones purchased or have Internet working the first 2 weeks I was here) but somehow we survived, it was questionable for a bit haha. The plane ride and all that went surprisingly well- I took a Tylenol PM and slept for 11 of the 16 hours on my flight fr
om LA to Australia, haha woops! Everyone is so much fun and laid back, there was a group of 65 of US students going to my school that met up in LA and we all clicked right away. We then flew to Cairns for a 3 day orientation which included snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, going to a Rain Forest place, and of course-hitting up the night life. I truly cannot even explain how much fun Cairns was!** Hanging out with the Kangaroos at the wildlife center
Things went pretty smooth at the beginning when we finally arrived in Newcastle. There was little to no culture shock coming here, everyone speaking English helps a lot. We have lots of fun with Australians comparing words and finding out differences in what we call things. The only bout of frustration I have experienced so far was at the grocery store. Everything is labeled SO different, brands are different, and types are different. Not to mention the size stuff is different too-my roommate and I almost ordered 250 kg of deli meat because we didn't know conversions of grams to pounds-thank goodness someone pointed out that there is no way we needed all that meat. Haha it was quite the experience for sure! In fact we still have yet to buy any cheese because we have no idea what kind of cheese it actually is. Oh well, we are learning slowly but surely. Also, they eat heaps healthier than we do in the states! Here there was like one aisle for junk food but at home there is a chips aisle, a cookie aisle, AND a candy aisle. For all of those who know how much of a junk food eater I am-no worries because I already found new favorite treats here...mainly Tim Tams! Don't worry I will for sure bring some back with me to share...
Campus life is unbelievable-it is truly gorgeous here! I am only 10 minutes from the ocean too, which I have been spending lots of time at. Everyone is so chill-we weren't even done bringing our luggage into our rooms when the RAs came up and invited us to come enjoy a beer with them. The place I live-Bara- is so homey. We have 2 BBQs, a common room to hang out, and a volleyball net in the middle of our courtyard-which gets used all the time! The Uni veterans have been driving us all over the place showing us around, taking us to dinner, and making sure we are having a good time. I feel as though I am making a really good group of both international and Australian friends!
My first week in Newcastle was filled by O-week (Orientation Week) activities which included many orientation sessions, commencement, and lots of fun activities (such as a Space Themed Party) put on by the place I am living at on campus-Bara. It was nice getting a chance to meet everyone and hang out before the hussle and bussle of classes began. Also, it gave us a chance to get to know more about campus. One thing we learned right away-the mosquitoes (or mossies as they say here) are TERRIBLE here! Never in my life did I expect to travel somewhere that had a worse mosquito infestation than Minnesota. Oh man-campus tops it for sure!!! Apparently campus was built on a swamp-not smart! Needless to say we have stocked up on heaps of bug spray.
Classes began last week already. It was a bit hard going from zero responsibilities to having a set schedule again, but it was also fun getting into the swing of things again and meeting even more new people. I am still a bit nervous about my classes but I am sure they will go fine! It is so funny because I barely get through introducing myself before people are like "ok-where in America are you from?" Seriously! Never before have I been informed that I have an accent but let me tell ya-I have heard it NON-STOP since coming to Australia, from both Australians and other students from the US. They just love mocking how I say things such as "don't" or "bag". Everywhere I go people have been getting a good laugh out of how I talk, which I never knew was abnormal. Haha oh well, I am getting pretty immune to it by now and just say "ya ya I am from Minnesota and I know I talk weird".
This past weekend was Gay Mardi Gras in Sydney and some of my girl friends and I were daring enough to attend the events on Saturday. Words cannot even begin to express the craziness that was going on and pictures do not do justice to everything we saw. It was pure chaos! However, I was able to meet up with a friend from home who is studying at Wollongong, which is 1 hour south of Sydney, this semester-Marissa. It was fun catching up with her and comparing our experiences so far. Sunday we spent all day touring around Sydney. There is no doubt in my mind that I will be going back there to visit again soon-it is a beautiful city AND it was only a $9 train ride!
Get this-I have yet to get homesick! Can you believe it?!? Yeh, neither can I. I truly miss my family and everyone at home but don't miss you all enough to come home. Instead I think you should all just come here! Great plan I know :)
This place is even more incredible than I imagined. I really wish you guys were all here to enjoy it with me. I already have pictures and cards from you guys posted all over my room-don't worry there is NO way I could ever forgot you all!!!
Well it is getting super late here and I have to get up early for a fitness class tomorrow morning! Miss you all heaps and heaps and can't wait to hear from you!
LOVE LOTS!!!!!!!!!
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