Wow! What a crazy 5 days it has been already. How the time has flown! Well, quite a few have been asking how my time in Australia has been, and instead of telling and retelling (or typing and retyping) the same stories over and over, I figured I could just direct everyone to this site. All 27 of the people from the States who are also participating in the Australian Studies Centre (ASC) program with me met at LAX, which made it nice and easy for me. Our plane departed at approximately 11:45 P.M. and we landed in Sydney at 9:45 on Wednesday morning. So here are the adventures that I have experienced so far:
Wednesday: We met up with the ASC director at the airport and were transported about 30 minutes over to a suburb called Drummoyne, where our “uni” (University) is located. We had some orientation sessions, catered food from a local hotspot, and played many get-to-know you games. The Townsends, our wonderful homestay family, came to pick up my two roommates and myself and we departed for their house, about a 15 minutes car ride from the uni. Their house is a beautiful Victorian style house, about 120 years old. Mrs. Townsend led us through the side gate, into the backyard and introduced us to our home for the next four months, our own granny flat! It is set back from the house about 30 meters. I could not have dreamed of a better situation. The three of us have our own room, bathroom, kitchen (with a fully stocked fridge, of course), and plenty of closet space to share. Our “house” even has a porch with chairs, a couch, and a dartboard. Amazing!Thursday:
We met at school, had a few orientation sessions, and departed for downtown Sydney about 1 o’clock. The 27 of us, plus a handful of Aussies helping out, were split into groups and sent on a scavenger hunt through the city. It was a great, quick, way to see the many sites the city has to offer.
After the scavenger hunt, which my time won, we were taken on a harbor cruise through Sydney Harbor. We passed everything that one would think of when they think of Sydney, the Opera house, the Harbor Bridge, well, I guess that’s all that people would think of when they think of Sydney. Then we were taken to a Mongolian BBQ restaurant (all you can eat) and had a fantastic dinner there. After that we were on our own, free to go back to our houses or free to stay in the city. Of course we chose to stay in the city. Graciously some of the Aussie students who helped out with the scavenger hunt let us join them and we all went for our for ice cream, at none other than good ol’ Baskin Robbins.Friday:
After two adventure days, I guess we had to do something productive. Friday was spent entirely in the class room going through orientation information and instruction. Our family said
they would pick us up from the school at 5 when we were supposed to get out, but we out 2 hours early and we figured we could use our unlimited bus pass to make it home on our own. Wrong. After taking a detour, figuring out how to get back, and sheepishly making a phone call, the family picked us up about 5:15. Whoops! We hurried home, packed and left for a weekend canoe trip in none other than, get this, Kangaroo Valley.Saturday:
I know, the answer to the question you’ve
all been waiting to ask, yes, we saw Kangaroos Saturday morning when we got out of our tents. We spent all day Saturday canoeing down the river with 10 boy scouts and their leaders. The lake and the surroundings were absolutely stunning.Sunday:
The canoeing continues….and then arrival at home about 10:15 P.M.
Monday:
My first day of classes. All the classes at the uni are once a week, three hour classes. I had a class on Australian culture and history called “The View” from 8:45-12:00, it is a class that taught by the ASC director filled with only ASC students. Than had a short break, ate lunch on the “grassy knoll” and had photography. I was definitely looking forward to having a class with Aussie students, that’s the main reason I’m here, to see how their culture operates. Unfortunately, there were only American students in my photography class also. So tomorrow starts the first day of classes with true Aussies.
Here is some Aussie slang for those of you out there who want to have a conversation when I return:
Fairdinkum – true that.
Servo – service station.
Heaps – a lot
Septics – Americans
No worries – you’re welcome
Also, Aussies don't pronounce the "R's" at the end of words. Such as corner would be sound like cornah.
Well, that is it for now. Just to put all your minds to rest, I’m still alive and kicking, have not fallen in love, and I don’t have any piercings or tattoos. That should put a few of your minds to rest! All in all, the few brief parts that I have seen of Australia are quite stunning. In many ways it is similar to the US, but also in many ways it is quite different. It is definitely an interesting adjustment, but a very smooth transition so far.
Love to all!
-Ben
