#22: Feelin' at home
7.28.2018
Well, after almost 6 weeks in Australia, I think this was the most normal week I've had so far. Even though I didn't see any kangaroos or travel to a new city, I say "normal" in the best way possible. I'm beginning to fall into the routine of my classes and even starting to run into friends I've made when I'm walking around campus. I turned in my first research report and completed my first lab practical- which I have the BEST group for, and if you've EVER taken a college lab, you know nothing is more important than good partners! I can't seem to get rid of this stuffy nose and almost got my second cold of the month this week, but I'll take it in return just for the lack of humidity and daily monsoons (my hair is loving this weather!).
When you go to orientation before your abroad program starts, they tell you about the rollercoaster of "cultural adaptation" that you'll go through and it's definitely starting to make sense. First is the ups and downs of travelling, which you feel on the way over, though I can say I for sure felt more ups than downs! Second is the "honeymoon phase", where you are just completely in love with your host country and everything about it. I don't think I'll ever get out of that stage! Third, the homesickness sets in and fourth, you begin to catch on to the norm and feel like a local. I'd definitely say I'm a mix of three and four right now. I didn't believe it at first, but I definitely see what they mean now when they'd repeatedly warn us that it's easy to feel left out when you see friends and family doing your favourite (or even normal) things without you. Or, you feel forgotten about when they aren't reaching out to you and keeping in touch like they promised when they said "we'll FaceTime everyday!".
But, before that sounds too sad, I'm also starting to feel like Melbourne (and my suburb of Burwood) is already becoming my second home. I have made some great friends so far from my lectures, labs, and my new-student mentor group. I don't feel completely alone anymore now that I have friends that say hi as we pass in the library or ask to get lunch sometime after class. I've already gotten used to the bus, train, and tram system (mostly thanks to Google Maps) to go anywhere in Melbourne. Plus, I switched the language on my computer to Australian English to avoid any points off for spelling on my report, so now I type favourite and colour without a second thought, ha! I still need work using Celsius instead of Fahrenheit, though...
The most exciting part about the week was booking my plane tickets for the Intra-Trimester break in a few weeks with my friend, Annie! The location is a secret for now but it's somewhere I've been looking forward to going to since I found out I'd be coming here!
I hope you enjoyed my July blogs as I started my journey as an Aussie uni student! See you in August :)
When you go to orientation before your abroad program starts, they tell you about the rollercoaster of "cultural adaptation" that you'll go through and it's definitely starting to make sense. First is the ups and downs of travelling, which you feel on the way over, though I can say I for sure felt more ups than downs! Second is the "honeymoon phase", where you are just completely in love with your host country and everything about it. I don't think I'll ever get out of that stage! Third, the homesickness sets in and fourth, you begin to catch on to the norm and feel like a local. I'd definitely say I'm a mix of three and four right now. I didn't believe it at first, but I definitely see what they mean now when they'd repeatedly warn us that it's easy to feel left out when you see friends and family doing your favourite (or even normal) things without you. Or, you feel forgotten about when they aren't reaching out to you and keeping in touch like they promised when they said "we'll FaceTime everyday!".
But, before that sounds too sad, I'm also starting to feel like Melbourne (and my suburb of Burwood) is already becoming my second home. I have made some great friends so far from my lectures, labs, and my new-student mentor group. I don't feel completely alone anymore now that I have friends that say hi as we pass in the library or ask to get lunch sometime after class. I've already gotten used to the bus, train, and tram system (mostly thanks to Google Maps) to go anywhere in Melbourne. Plus, I switched the language on my computer to Australian English to avoid any points off for spelling on my report, so now I type favourite and colour without a second thought, ha! I still need work using Celsius instead of Fahrenheit, though...
The most exciting part about the week was booking my plane tickets for the Intra-Trimester break in a few weeks with my friend, Annie! The location is a secret for now but it's somewhere I've been looking forward to going to since I found out I'd be coming here!
I hope you enjoyed my July blogs as I started my journey as an Aussie uni student! See you in August :)
|
The bridge connecting the main campus to the residence halls just after sunset |
