Advertisement
Published: February 22nd 2011
LEAVING!
THIS PHOTO OF CHELSEA, HEATHER AND I WAS TAKEN AT THE STATE COLLEGE AIRPORT RIGHT BEFORE WE LEFT!G'Day! I hope to use this blog to tell all my loved ones, back in the United States, about my study abroad experience in Australia. I am studying at the University of New England located in Armidale, New South Wales. Even though I have only been in Australia for 9 days, it has been an amazing trip so far!
Many things have been hard to get adjusted to compared to my American lifestyle. The one thing that I get most nervous about is roundabouts. Instead of traffic lights and intersections, there are these traffic circles. I am slowly getting use to the driving on the left side of the road. Even though I am only a passenger in the car, it still throws me for a loop! Another different thing is that no one really uses Ketchup(my brother Daniel would NOT be able to survive!)...and they call it Tomato Sauce so if you ask for it, no one knows what you are talking about! It isn't that common for people to use it, so when I asked for 10 packets they thought I was crazy! They have a Burger King, but it's call Hungry Jacks. It has almost the same
Hungry Jacks!
The logo looks just like Burger King's! sign! Ironically, since I have been in Armidale I have only eaten McDonalds (nicknamed Mackers) and Subway...very American. I suppose I will have to branch out and try Australian food some time... like Vegemite!! The last thing that is going to take some time to change is that my dorm building, Drummond and Smith, is called "college". The university itself is called "UNI". Sometimes I get mixed up with the different terms and meanings for these terms that I'm used to.
On February 9th, some of the returning students that were here early took Heather and I to this incredible place called Blue Hole. It was about 25 minutes away from UNE and the drive was gorgeous. It was green fields with huge boulders coming up in every direction that seemed to go on forever. When we got there it was a 3/4 mile hike to the swimming hole. Once we got close it was easy to hear the rushing water. Then we had to literally CLIMB down rocks for around 300 yards. Finally we arrived, and it was totally worth it! The water was high because of the recent flooding, but worth it when I jumped in. The
Give Way
Instead of having yield signs it says "give way" current was strong but Mrs. Yocum's workouts sure helped me out getting out to the rocks! I can't wait to go back to Blue Hole!
On February 10th, Heather, Chelsea, and I went shopping down town. It was a gorgeous day to explore the streets of Armidale. One thing that we noticed was everyone is SO kind here. We were ready to take the bus to town, and one student down the hall offered to drive us, and another gave us his number to call him when we needed to come back. It makes it easier to feel comfortable here when everyone is so eager to help us! I am loving my time here!!
On February 11th was the International Student orientation. Most of the students are from Asia and Saudi Arabi. There are only 5 American students-the three girls from LHU, a boy from Washington State and a girl from Colorado. After the orientation we walked around campus. It is HUGE! All of the dorms are together at the bottom of a hill, and then it is about a mile walk uphill to all of the classroom buildings. Between the dorms and campus are fenced in areas
NEW SOUTH WALES
THIS IS ON OUR WAY TO BLUE HOLE! where the kangaroos roam around! So cool!! Today the girls and I layed out because it is sunny and 90 degrees!!!
I'll update you all with the activities planned for O-week (orientation week) next time!
Thanks for reading!
Love,
Rebekah
Advertisement
Tot: 0.062s; Tpl: 0.023s; cc: 6; qc: 24; dbt: 0.0257s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1mb
DKS
non-member comment
Have it your way at Hungry Jack's!
Remember to use sunscreen! How is Australia organized geographically? What are the names of some of the founding fathers? What year did Australia gain independence? Teach us about the history of Australia!