I can’t believe I’ve already been in Perth for two weeks! This past week was very busy it was O-week (Orientation) for all international students and 1st year (freshers) as they call them over here. I was just getting to know the 30 international students here at Tommy More, and how there are 50 new people to get to know.
On Sunday we had a mandatory mass in the chapel here at Tommy More. The residence hall is run by the Catholic church so it was a different experience to go to a Mass with all the first years. Monday was more orientation over at UWA, just roaming around the campus getting to know where all the buildings and everything is. Tuesday we had a global dinner that split up into countries, I was put in Sierra Leone and we were only given 3 bowls of rice for 8 people. Meanwhile students in the United States were given steak and potatoes. It made everyone think how fortunate we are to live in a country, whether US or Australia, where we have food.
Wednesday was probably the most interesting day of the week. We went down to the river in the afternoon and met up with the other residence halls at UWA. There was a friendly dragon boat challenge between the 5 residence halls and we got some food after that was over. Thursday was my day to meet people within my major, and I got to see some of the labs and buildings where I would have class. This weekend was a lot of fun as the Tommy More Freshers went on a camping trip. We went to a boy scout camp in the Australian bush for 2 nights. There were a lot of get to know you activites which was really great.
Tomorrow is the start of class which is kind of weird because its felt like I’ve been on vacation for the last two weeks. I haven’t been in class for over 2 months, but it’s a new experience.
Location: Tommy More, Australian Bush