#13: All moved in!
7.1.2018
I have finally moved in to my dorm for the trimester! I get my own room and it's actually bigger than my room was at USF! There is a large kitchen, bathrooms, a living room, and a TV for the 5 of us to share. There's also a ton of cabinet and work space in each room, a nice comfy bed, and even a heater for the frosty nights! I was only able to meet one of my roommates so far, but fortunately she is very nice and helpful! Before unpacking, we headed over to the enormous Chadstone Shopping Centre to kill some time, see what options I had near campus, and pick up some groceries since this campus has no dining halls. Apparently I was spoiled having 3 at USF!
A big thanks to my mom and the French family for helping me get all moved in today! Can't wait for the week to begin and to start making friends from all over the world!
A big thanks to my mom and the French family for helping me get all moved in today! Can't wait for the week to begin and to start making friends from all over the world!
#14: Beach Welcome
7.4.2018
Tonight I returned from the "Beach Welcome" for incoming Deakin exchange students! Two days filled with fun activities and lots of friend-making in the beautiful town of Lorne along the Great Ocean Road. From surfing and yoga, to hiking and mountain biking, there was something for everyone! We had delicious food, rooms with a view of the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, and cafes and shops just down the street. The sunrise was so beautiful that for once, I actually wasn't upset that I had to wake up so early to see it! Even though the camera of a cellphone can't quite capture it, I won't forget it anytime soon!
I happened to make quite a few American friends from Oregon, Illinois, Maine, California, and Iowa. But, I also made friends with some super nice people from Sweden, England, and Poland! A few of us tried yoga for the first time while the others braved the crazy winds and went hiking. I opted to watch as they surfed since I already have a pretty bad cold so I figured getting into the frigid water for a few hours was probably not the wisest idea. Plus, I'm lucky enough to live 10 minutes from the beach and to have grown up surfing anyway. One of my new friends was only seeing the ocean for the third time in his life and he's 20! It definitely reminded me to be grateful for all of my ocean experiences growing up!
I happened to make quite a few American friends from Oregon, Illinois, Maine, California, and Iowa. But, I also made friends with some super nice people from Sweden, England, and Poland! A few of us tried yoga for the first time while the others braved the crazy winds and went hiking. I opted to watch as they surfed since I already have a pretty bad cold so I figured getting into the frigid water for a few hours was probably not the wisest idea. Plus, I'm lucky enough to live 10 minutes from the beach and to have grown up surfing anyway. One of my new friends was only seeing the ocean for the third time in his life and he's 20! It definitely reminded me to be grateful for all of my ocean experiences growing up!
#15: Ready for class!
7.7.2018
Class starts in two days and even though that means lectures and homework, I'm actually looking forward to getting back to some kind of routine after traveling and getting settled in for 3 weeks now! I'll be taking Genetics, Physics, and Health Behaviour here on campus, and Survey of Jazz online through USF starting in August. I was hoping to actually take some marine biology related courses while I'm here, but all of them were either not available at my campus (there are several other Deakin campuses in Victoria), or the USF biology department wouldn't approve them to directly transfer to a course for my degree. I wouldn't have minded, but in order for financial aid to kick in, my classes need to be towards my degree. On the bright side, I'm hoping to meet some Australians who know the area well in Genetics or Physics because I have a feeling not many exchange students take classes like those while abroad!
I've been able to find all of my classrooms and lecture halls and fortunately none of them are too far of a walk! I've met more two more of roommates throughout the week and both of them are very friendly as well! (Also, shoutout to my USF roomies, miss you guys!!)
Anyway, wish me luck for my first week of school here!!
I've been able to find all of my classrooms and lecture halls and fortunately none of them are too far of a walk! I've met more two more of roommates throughout the week and both of them are very friendly as well! (Also, shoutout to my USF roomies, miss you guys!!)
Anyway, wish me luck for my first week of school here!!