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A Successful Semester

I’m starting off my last official Australia post by saying that I’m not quite sure what to say. After a week at home recovering from jet lag, catching up on appointments, unpacking, and repacking for my summer internship, I’m still finding it hard to believe that my semester has concluded. While I’m incredibly excited to start my internship and begin a new exciting chapter of my life, I’m equally sad to be writing the last chapter on my semester in Australia. I feel so overwhelmed with the things I’ve learned and gained and experienced abroad, that I don’t even know where to start in wrapping it up.

Have Dreams, Will Travel

The past four and a half months have enforced that I love traveling. I also am very satisfied that I kept blogging throughout my time abroad, and have even decided to create my own personal blog for future travels! In total, I visited three countries and 12 major cities, took 13 flights, and spent approximately 77 hours on an airplane. Every experience I had brought new faces and new places. I also made many connections with people from all across the world that I now have the opportunity to stay connected with. Spending a semester abroad has reinforced my beliefs that studying abroad is a fantastic way to become a more knowledge person, get to know yourself and others better, and discover a love for trying new things. I encourage anyone who has this opportunity to follow their dreams.

Friends & I during the last week abroad

Friends & I during the last week abroad

Oz

Since as far back as I can remember, I have always wanted to visit Australia. I’ve always thought it would be amazing, but it truly has exceeded all my expectations. Generally, Australian’s are very knowledgeable with world news, and very observant on how different events affect different countries. While major cities are a little more upbeat, most of the country is relaxed and their work ethics humane. Although costs of living there are higher overall than the average in the US, the benefits are also larger, and their way of life is less stressful. It was great to about the Australian way of life, and get to live it for a little while!

The spirit of Australia

The spirit of Australia

I very much hope to make it back to Australia at some point in my future, but I feel like I am already left with a lifetime of beautiful memories. The most incredible thing for me is that I filled my semester to the MAX exploring, travelling, and checking things off my bucket list, however there were still many things left undone. I definitely did as much as physically possible, however there are just so many amazing opportunities throughout Australia. I had a life changing experience abroad, and until next time (there will be a next time), I’m left to say Cheers, mate!

Week #1

The first week of classes was a bit of a stressful and confused blur, because I’ve had major issues trying to get my schedule finalized. HOWEVER, as of Thursday I officially am enrolled in the proper classes, and hopefully it will be easier here on out. Other than the enrollment situation, everything else has been great! Some highlights of the week:

Monday

Tried out some gym classes, went to Strength and Yoga in the evening, then met some friends for a casual get-together afterwards.

Tuesday

Lots of classes and still lots of confusion getting the proper classes sorted out.. more updates to come when I’m adjusted to my class schedule! The school rented out nightclub Vanity in the evening and hosted a “Illegally Bond Wild West” party. You can definitely tell the Australians apart from others because they are WAY into dressing up for theme parties, love the spirit!

Wednesday

Checked out Blackboard Coffee in the morning for milkshakes and breakfast, definitely a place I would recommend to others. Their eggs benedict looked AMAZING. A friend and I explored Market Square in the evening and ate at the HUB café, and met some friends to discuss potential travel plans afterward. Still getting adjusted to the schedule and when I have free time outside of classes, but each day one or two more things get set in order.

Thursday

Opposite of at home, I actually don’t mind 8am classes here at all. It might be a little early, but I’d rather have the rest of the day to explore. After my Thursday 8am a few friends and I went to travel agents at the mall to get estimates on trips throughout the semester. It was helpful but overwhelming because we all want to do everything (obviously) but have to pick and choose. A bunch of us have booked a weekend trip to Sydney for Mardi Gras (SO EXCITED), and are working on putting together a longer trip to Bali. I’m hoping to take a weekend trip to New Zealand, as well as a bunch of local excursions. Also, I was able to get my class schedule sorted out, a HUGE weight off of my shoulders. For anyone going abroad, pro tip, make sure your schedule is completely done prior to arrival (including the things that need to be taken care of outside of your control, such as administrative tasks). Later that night we went to the White-Out party at Don’s!

White-Out

White-Out

Later that night I also had a dream (nightmare?) that my mom had come to pick me up from Australia, like she would at the end of a normal school semester. However, it was only two weeks into the semester (around now), and I was nearly crying saying because there were so many things I had left to do for the rest of the semester and I could NOT leave yet. It was so reassuring to wake up and know I have the majority of the semester yet, and I plan on doing some incredible things!

First Day of Class, Halfway Around the World

After a week of fun, the first day of class rolled around before we knew it! Since I only had one class the first day, there was not all too much to report. My first class, International Marketing, did not have any major differences from classes in America, in fact about 85% of the class is American students. However, a few interesting concepts were introduced and hopefully I will be able to learn information that can be related to my major as well as everyday life.

First day of class in the center of Bond Uni campus

First day of class in the center of Bond Uni campus

Generally speaking, classes here are taken pretty seriously, and the expectations are that you will be responsible for your own work and to act respectably, if not professionally. Most classes are heavily attendance based, and typically have grading criteria including a mid-semester and final exam and a couple case studies. One of the most interesting things I have experienced here so far is the large mix of different kinds of people. They say America is the melting pot of the world, but Australia has all different ethnicities and types of people. I am very much looking forward to meeting and interacting with so many different kinds of people! Since my first day of class was pretty mellow, I decided to blog about some of the major differences I have noticed between here and home over my first week:

1. Dress: People dress well, all the time, for everything. Working out, casual, going out, work.. everything.

2. Physique: Everyone is physically fit, most people work out in the morning and most stores and businesses don’t open until around 9am.

3. Bagels: Don’t exist in Australia. (Just like cough drops don’t exist in Italy.)

4. Sides: In America you walk on the right side, but in Australia you walk on the left. Car drivers are also seated on the right side of the car, and drive on the left side of the road.

5. Accents: Just like American’s, most Australian’s I’ve met either can’t hear their own accent or think it sounds funny. They generally like American accents, and it’s quite amusing to hear an Aussie impersonate an American. I’ve already been told at least three times already that someone likes MY accent.. apparently it’s not too strong/American-sounding, and sounds slightly Canadian?

6. Phrases: Instead of asking “How are you doing?” they ask “How are you going?”

7. Coffee: In general coffee is fantastic here, and much stronger than in the States. Also, when ordering iced coffee, it comes with a scoop of ice cream.

8. Sunshine: There’s a hole in the ozone, so the sun’s a lot stronger here. Sunscreen is definitely a must!

9. Legalities: The legal drinking age is 18, which means the school has an on-campus, licensed bar that hosts theme parties every Thursday night, then provides buses to and from downtown Surfers Paradise. Quite different from home!

10. Apartments: The apartments are WAY nicer, for about the same cost as at home. There are several gated complexes that also come with additional amenities like pools, saunas, balconies, and beautiful views.

11: BBQ: Barbecue is a huge part of Australian culture. Usually sausage, burgers, and veggie patties are served. You also eat it with sliced bread, not rolls, and “ketchup” exists but tastes slightly different.

12. Education: Instead of going to College, you go to University, which is also called Uni. Education programs are also much more intense, so that younger people have higher degrees at lower ages.

13. Travel: People travel a lot more, especially on Holiday breaks or during transition periods throughout life. This includes around Australia itself but also to other parts of the world.

14. Time: There is no rush, ever. Generally if a time is set or an event is supposed to start, that’s when people leave or start setting up. It’s also always just a little more unorganized than it feels like in America, but also less pressure of time and responsibility.

15. There are stores that very much remind you of stores in America, but with different names. For example, Donut King = Dunkin Donuts (same font and everything), Lovisa = Claire’s, and Once in a Year = Aerie.

16. Measurements: Australia is 15 hours ahead than America. As a shortcut, if you are in America, reverse am/pm then add three to figure out what time it is in Australia (depends on exact location, but that’s what it was for me!). Distance is measured in kilometers verses miles and weight is in kilograms verses pounds.

17. Words are spelled differently, and the letter z basically doesn’t exist. Z is also said “Zedd” instead of “Z.” Examples include words like: organised, maximise, customise. Words spelled with o are also typically spelled with ou, like colour.

*Disclaimer! These have been my first impressions of Australia, and some items may not be 100% accurate. However, just trying to give everyone at home a glimpse at how life differs on the other side of the world! While I have definitely come across some differences, I am also loving learning about and experiencing Australia!