My bank has canceled my debit card, I have no cash. Trains don't take credit. I don't have any of the paperwork I need to get into my accommodations at Swinburne, Swinburne has not enrolled me in any of my courses, and my faculty doesn't think I belong. This can be a challenging situation for anyone, but doing it abroad with no knowledge of how use foreign telephone numbers is much worse! For two days I slept on a bare mattress using my towel as a pillow and the American Flag as a blanket becuase I had not had time to go out and purchase a bedset. But I've always said I perform best under pressure. So I've made a ton of new friends, gotten myself all straightened out within the university. And even managed to get a decent schedule. I have mondays and fridays off, and no classes before 9:30am.
University in Australia is much different. My dorm building is not affiliated with the university, so I have to pay for internet access, the on campus gym is run independantly, so I have to buy a membership. I suppose it gives you more freedom to choose, but for me it's just another decision I have to spend time making. It's still orientation week, mostly for first year students, so I haven't begun classes yet.
The most positive aspect of all of the orientation activities this week has been meeting new people. The drinking age in Australia is 18, so every afternoon at 3:30 the university sponsors a meet and greet at the infamous "Hawthorn" a local pub with lots of space. Since the school covers the bar tab until it reaches $2000 each day, this is a good way (for me at least) to determine who I should and should not make friends with. For instance the guy puking on the stairs by 4:00, not good friend material. But the germans with three "jugs" or pitchers handing out glasses, maybe more my type.
I always wondered why all the international students on campus at Northeastern only hang out with each other. Now I totally understand. We're all a little close knit family now, even though I don't know ANYONES name, I know all their faces. Apparently it's easier for people who's native language is not english to speak with Americans than Austrlians. I sympathize, when the aussies get angry or excited I can't understand them either! Plus, having an orientation period you're in friend making mode, so wen we finally get emersed into the culture and have a chance to befriend some true blue aussies, we'll have all the friends we need! Well, I hope that doesn't deter me, but that's my theory.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Post-Date, Sydney: Not as nice as Melbourne
I'm way way behind on blogging, I'm not sure I even remember the volume requirement set by Northeastern (I'm sure I'm under it) but things have been so hectic between my trip to Sydney and trying to settle into a new university! So much has happened that I feel like I'm behind on cataloging it. I'll talk about my week in Sydney, catch up on everything else later.
Before coming to Australia I thought it would be a grand idea to arrange some means of constant travel before arriving. Since buying a car is out, hey, why not take a train? Because Australia is MASSIVE that's why dummy! As you can tell, I bought the train ticket. 16 Days of travel on Aussie rail within 6 months. The problem being that it takes 12 hours just to get from Melbourne to Sydney! Not as fun as it sounds. I made it there anyways, and it seemed like it didn't stop raining once! Not a lot of rain, I didn't really get soaked, but it was gloomy and muggy the whole time. Also about 10 degrees (F) warmer than Melbourne.
About two days in all I could do was compare Melbourne v. Sydney to my feelings of Boston v. New York. Sydney was too big, too corporate, and too distant. The atmosphere just wasn't right. I met some really fun people from all over the world at the hostel, and hung out with a friend from Northeastern who's doing a semester there. So not all was bad. But on returning to Melbourne, I did feel more at home.
On the two sunny days that I did take full advantage of, I walked all around the Royal Botanical Gardens, and sunned on the famous Bondi Beach. There's definitely something to be said about Australian public gardens. Sydney's are simply astonishing.
At the end of two weeks of Hostels, and mobile friends, I was beginning to feel a bit lonely. Probably a combination of mild culture shock and homesickness, neither of which I was feeling explicitly. But you start realizing that all these people you're enjoying the company of will soon be gone, and you really aren't at "home." Some of these people had been backpacking for years, I don't know how they do it! I need some semblance of home base. A place to put my things where I don't have to worry about their security. A place where I can feel comfortable, and escape strange people and ideas when they all become overwhelming. Not easily found in a hostel, perhaps I just don't have the right personality for it. At least I can appreciate it as an exploratory experience, which is after all what this trip is about.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Bang a Left
After one week in Melbourne, still in the heat of sensory overload, but getting a little more comfortable there, I'm getting ready to visit Sydney for a week. One of the things that's taken me a bit of getting used to is the left handed orientation. Australians don't just driven on the left hand side, it seems like everything I never think about having a specific side to it instinctively does. The down escalador, the men's room, the men's clothing section, the entrance to a store. It all feels like its on the wrong side. Not to mention the sidewalk battles I've been having. You know when you're walking towards someone in the same path as you on the sidewalk. I instinctively step right, well australians, they instinctively step left. This continues until someone steps into the road before the other can react to another step. It's interesting to me to watch some of their driving manuevers too. They can't turn left on red like we do, but in oder to make a left hand turn in traffic, they pull into the right lane! Then they squeeze as many cars as will fit in the right lane into the intersection blocking the traffic that they're turning in front of, wait for their light to turn red, then turn! I guess it's a lot more exciting in person.
I've had a busy week and haven't updated lately, so this could be a long one. I visited the Eureka Skydeck, tallest building in the southern hemisphere, on Wednesday. Took an elevator ("lift") up 88 stories to 300m high at 9m/s! Lot's of good pictures, and a good way to stake out the places you want to see in the city! Thursday i went to the Melbourne Zoo. Lot's of fun there! I saw my first kangaroo, much smaller than on television, and my first koala, much bigger than on television. It's funny how that's all I have to compare them to. I can't even recall seeing any photos of those animals, except maybe in a history book when talking about Australia. Which seems a bit generalized since they really only have koalas small parts of the south.
On Friday I went with some friends to my first Australian Rules Football match! I won't go too much into detail about the rules an customs of the game, having been subjected to its intricacies by my new friend who was once an umpire of the game. It's a wierd combination of Soccer and Football wherein you score points by running with the ball, kicking it, and hitting it to other players, but not throwing. The ultimate end of which is be kick it between two posts. No pads, very little fighting, and the athletes look a lot more like soccer players than football. Though it was no use trying to convince that ozzies that football is a more manly sport. And in terms of danger and bone-crushing action they have us beat with rugby, so it was a moot point. Ozzies as I can tell so far are very laid back, nice people, until it comes to the opponents of thier favorite team. Though once the game is over they are friends again, unlike the unspeakable divide between sox and yankees fans, they still leave no insult out and incite their fair share of rough-housing. The teams are a lot more local, generally being named after small towns instead of cities, and there are 18 teams in much fewer states, so it's not uncommon to see fans of football clubs that aren't even playing at the game. Also, all the seats are the same price, I paid $19 AUD at the gates. obviously it's much more affordable, probably owing to how much they pay thier players.
It's a 10 hour train ride to sydney tomorrow. Though I won't have any connection maybe I'll type something up then.
I've had a busy week and haven't updated lately, so this could be a long one. I visited the Eureka Skydeck, tallest building in the southern hemisphere, on Wednesday. Took an elevator ("lift") up 88 stories to 300m high at 9m/s! Lot's of good pictures, and a good way to stake out the places you want to see in the city! Thursday i went to the Melbourne Zoo. Lot's of fun there! I saw my first kangaroo, much smaller than on television, and my first koala, much bigger than on television. It's funny how that's all I have to compare them to. I can't even recall seeing any photos of those animals, except maybe in a history book when talking about Australia. Which seems a bit generalized since they really only have koalas small parts of the south.
On Friday I went with some friends to my first Australian Rules Football match! I won't go too much into detail about the rules an customs of the game, having been subjected to its intricacies by my new friend who was once an umpire of the game. It's a wierd combination of Soccer and Football wherein you score points by running with the ball, kicking it, and hitting it to other players, but not throwing. The ultimate end of which is be kick it between two posts. No pads, very little fighting, and the athletes look a lot more like soccer players than football. Though it was no use trying to convince that ozzies that football is a more manly sport. And in terms of danger and bone-crushing action they have us beat with rugby, so it was a moot point. Ozzies as I can tell so far are very laid back, nice people, until it comes to the opponents of thier favorite team. Though once the game is over they are friends again, unlike the unspeakable divide between sox and yankees fans, they still leave no insult out and incite their fair share of rough-housing. The teams are a lot more local, generally being named after small towns instead of cities, and there are 18 teams in much fewer states, so it's not uncommon to see fans of football clubs that aren't even playing at the game. Also, all the seats are the same price, I paid $19 AUD at the gates. obviously it's much more affordable, probably owing to how much they pay thier players.
It's a 10 hour train ride to sydney tomorrow. Though I won't have any connection maybe I'll type something up then.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
First Day in Melbourne
My First day in melbourne has been rather uneventful. I'm very sick and trying to explore the city through the haze of flu medicine and the sleeping pills still wearing off from the flight. I've been walking around the CBD (which I can only assume stands for central business district, don't quote me though) and it seems a bit more industrial than I had imagined. Also, there is much more of a significant impact by asian cultures on the city than I had expected. The main drag is a covered sidewalk on either side of Swanston Street flanked by swanky boutiques, specialty shops, and seedy take out restaurants. I'm sure I'll find a lot more to do when I'm feeling better but at this point it seems a bit overwhelming. Where to go first? Have I contacted everyone I told I would? Do I still have all my ducks in a row? I think it's best to get a good rest tonight and hopefully tomorrow will be more relaxing.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Four Days to Fly
I fly out on Friday February 6, 2009. My name is Mike and I'm doing a semester abroad at the Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia. I've been planning, preparing, packing, and saying my good-byes for months now, but four days before I leave I can't help but feel overwhelmed. I leave behind all my friends, my family, my girlfriend, and everything I've come to call home, and land far away with no contacts and very few plans.
Really I'm interested in seeing how I respond to my situation. I'm a friendly guy, never had any trouble making friends, but I'm not sure I've ever really had to try. I love new experiences, thrive on them really, but what will I do when everything is new? For me, this semester abroad is not about academics, I'm not even studying in my field. It is about exploration. Of a new place, of a new culture, and of myself. I don't expect to change. In fact I'd be disappointed if this is a life-changing experience. I only want to gain a deeper understanding.
It's difficult for me to set tangible goals of what I'd like to accomplish. I tend to sit back and see where my daily decisions lead me. There has to be a plan in mind for me to be comfortable, but as far as I'm concerned that plan is no more complex than: enjoy yourself and hold dear the moments that stand out. Maybe I'll get a few good pictures on the way.
I feel that Australia is the perfect match for me. The people are friendly, the sun is bright, and they already speak my language. more or less. I hope to do some hiking, and see the outback a little. But I'm a city dweller at heart. Although I'll be based in Melbourne I'm sure there are many trips to Sydney in my future.
As for my experience with the study-abroad program so far. It seems like every little detail is a logistical nightmare until just before it works itself out. In the end, if you really want it, your ducks line themselves up.
Mike
Really I'm interested in seeing how I respond to my situation. I'm a friendly guy, never had any trouble making friends, but I'm not sure I've ever really had to try. I love new experiences, thrive on them really, but what will I do when everything is new? For me, this semester abroad is not about academics, I'm not even studying in my field. It is about exploration. Of a new place, of a new culture, and of myself. I don't expect to change. In fact I'd be disappointed if this is a life-changing experience. I only want to gain a deeper understanding.
It's difficult for me to set tangible goals of what I'd like to accomplish. I tend to sit back and see where my daily decisions lead me. There has to be a plan in mind for me to be comfortable, but as far as I'm concerned that plan is no more complex than: enjoy yourself and hold dear the moments that stand out. Maybe I'll get a few good pictures on the way.
I feel that Australia is the perfect match for me. The people are friendly, the sun is bright, and they already speak my language. more or less. I hope to do some hiking, and see the outback a little. But I'm a city dweller at heart. Although I'll be based in Melbourne I'm sure there are many trips to Sydney in my future.
As for my experience with the study-abroad program so far. It seems like every little detail is a logistical nightmare until just before it works itself out. In the end, if you really want it, your ducks line themselves up.
Mike
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