Entry 6

I made it to the future and back in one piece— Future Music Festival that is! After my first real week of homework, studying, and class assignments, a group of local and international students decided to go to the FMF held this year at Sydney’s racecourse. The lineup was mostly EDM (Electronic Dance Music) DJ’s I had never heard of, but I’ve tried something new every week— if not every day— that I’ve been here. My favorite performance was from a DJ called “Hardwell,” but we also got to see Macklemore, Sub Focus, Deadmau5, Phoenix, Kaskade, and Pharrell Williams and a few that were completely new to me. We arrived around noon and danced and raved until 10:30pm. Needless to say I was exhausted and have spent most of my Sunday napping by the pool. Luckily my SPF 70+ kept the sun off my shoulders, and I finally think I’m getting a base tan! The weather couldn’t be better here; it’s been in the high seventies— low eighties, sunny with an easy breeze. My first quiz in Consumer Behavior is tomorrow, and I have assignments due in two other of my classes this week, so tonight its back to the desk chair. The sun doesn’t set till eight o’clock though, so I think I’ll enjoy a few more hours of relaxation. Next weekend we’re talking about going for a hike up the Blue Mountains! Enjoying the clear skies Down Under!

Entry 5

The first week of class went better than expected! Classes seem less demanding than the semester I took last year, and I have no Friday classes. Because I’m majoring in Business Marketing I’m taking: International Marketing, International Business, Consumer Behavior, and Managerial Accounting. Half of my grade for each course is dependent on the final, and the majority of the rest of my average depends on a mid-term exam. There is an on campus News Paper taking submissions from International Students about their experience. The campus is really beautiful and feels a lot like Wilmington— the heat and the brick buildings. Surprisingly they don’t have a gym on campus so on Thursday I joined a gym in the city that my roommate goes to. I’ve noticed Australians are very active, generally very health conscious, and very competitive when it comes to sports. Cricket, Rugby, and Net Ball are very popular here. The weather has been very hot or very wet. Like in Wilmington, its not uncommon to wear a bathing suit to class, and I’ve gone through more sunscreen in a week than I would normally use the entire month of July. Instead of the cold winters and hot summers we’re used to in N.C. Summer here is known as the wet season and winter is typically dry. One day it’s eighty-seven and humid and the next is constant rain from morning till night. Public transportation is extremely convenient in and around Sydney. I downloaded an app called tripview that provides real-time data on where the busses, trains, and ferries are, and what their estimated time of arrival is. I also applied for a public transportation ninety-day pass that the government provides international students at a discounted cost. The slang here sounds like everyone grew up in the seventies— keen and mate are popular terms— they call everyone from America a yank, even if they’re from the South. My roommates have been great. They eat kangaroo— which can be bought in any grocery store. I’m sure I will try it before I leave. In reading the book, Down Under, which I got for Christmas from my Secret Santa at work, I learned Australians are the only population that eats the national animal of their country. Otherwise everything I’ve eaten has been familiar to me or Asian. Next weekend is the Future music festival— very excited!

 

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.  

Entry 3

Week One— whew. A plane delay in Charlotte got my connection flight switched from San Francisco to Los Angles— unfortunately my luggage went to San Fran. The positive is that I made it to Sydney on time and in one piece! I managed without luggage for two days but was happy enough to cry when I saw my bags being walked into the front office. I am staying in the campus housing in a five-bedroom apartment. Currently I have three roommates but may be getting a fourth. The guys are great and have gone out of their way to make sure I feel welcome. I miss my roommates back in Wilmington a lot, but am making friends fast. So many of the students are international here so it’s not uncommon to hear six or seven languages outside my window. The food might be the only disappointment— not terrible but expensive. Asian food seems to be more common than anything else. I’ve gone to Parramatta central twice, and it is very impressive. I was expecting a city similar in size to Wilmington, but now I’d say it’s closer to Charlotte or Greensboro. Thursday I made the trek to Sydney. I took the ferry— slow and relaxing, then the express train back. When I got off the boat I had no cell phone, no maps, and no idea where I was going. Being a humble tourist and asking for directions more than a few times saved the day. It was very hot and I probably walked a dozen miles, but am glad I got a glimpse of what’s in store for this semester. The train ride back only took twenty minutes! Orientation was on Friday. I saw a koala bear and learned there is a zoo where you can hug them! No spiders spotted yet— I’ve been on the lookout. Classes start next Monday, so I still have time to relax and enjoy summer. Hope everyone in the US is enjoying the snow! 

Entry 2

My journey to the future begins tomorrow. No, not actual time travel, but as close as humans have come so far. Tomorrow at 6pm my flight for San Francisco leaves from Charlotte— I connect to a second flight that will pass the international dateline and I will skip the tenth of February landing in Sydney on the eleventh. As per Delta airlines regulation all my clothes, shoes, books, toiletries, (and bowtie) for the next five months have been packed in one fifty-pound suitcase.  My classes are set— a shuttle is picking me up at baggage claim— orientation for UWS begins this Friday. Being my last night in America for a while I realize there are many things I’ll miss— my family, southern food, my friends in Wilmington, and the convince of being adept to my surroundings. I won’t miss the cold— that’s for sure! While I’m abroad I plan to take every opportunity I have to experience the country and the culture— scuba diving, bungee jumping, and trekking the outback to name a few. As Mr. Danforth would say, “Carpe Diem!” I will— every moment.