Entry 4

Today is the last day of Orientation Week here at UWS. There have been parties almost every day starting early in the afternoon and raging well into the night. Australians really do work hard to play hard. On Tuesday I went to visit Taronga Zoo. They had Red Pandas, Koalas, Kangaroos, Platypus’, and many other animals I’d never seen before! Public transportation is amazing— I didn’t realize though just how much time I would spend on trains. Friday I took a ferry to Manly beach, which was very similar to Southport in Wilmington. The weather has been perfect this week, and Saturday I went to Bondi where they hosted Vans Off the Wall Skate Competition. I don’t think I’ve ever found a place as cool as Bondi Beach. The cove and cliffs are similar to those on the West coast of the US, or in the Mediterranean, and the restaurants are amazing! For lunch I had steak and avocado bruschetta at this small hole in the wall bar. Delicious. The food here is always very fresh. Today I ate an Australian Mango for lunch— might have been the best piece of fruit I’ve ever eaten. I’ve mostly settled into my room— bought a juicer and some hangers— making everything livable and comfortable for the next five months. Classes start tomorrow— I’m a bit nervous. I feel the same way I did before the first day of class at UNCW. What will the standards be like? Where will I stand compared to the other students? I am confident however that I couldn’t prepare more. I’ve read everything I’ve been given, and done plenty of my own research. I’ve also given myself something new to look forward to. A group of exchange students decided to go to the Future music festival March 8^th and I bought my ticket yesterday. One of my goals was to go to a concert while I was here— a festival will be even better! Check back next Sunday as I’m sure to vent about classes. Haha poor me— doing accounting homework on Bondi with a Mango in my hand.