Week 2

This was the first week of classes, I have school Tuesday to Thursday. In Australia you go to lectures then split up and go into tutorial. They grade on a 1-7 grading scale, 7= 85%+, 6= 75%-84%, 5= 65%-74%, and 4= 50%-65%. My art classes, photo and sculpture, seem pretty cool so far. But the two business classes started off pretty boring. Most of the education system is comparable to the Uni's back home, except the grading seems easier.

This weekend I did the Amazing Race: Gold Coast
We ran around the city doing random tasks and answering questions to heighten our knowledge of the area. Came in 4th place, so not too bad. I had to eat my first spoonful of Vegemite when I was chose to do the Mystery Challenge, probably not ever going to eat it again. After the "race" they did a big barbee back on campus, with food snow cones and free massages.
Heres a photo of my group.

Some of you have shown an interest in my residential life. I live in a two story apartment with 3 exchange students from Paris. The other roommate is a girl who keeps to herself and is from Queensland AU. The French are quite loud and constantly smoke. I try to stay out of my apartment because they only speak English if they absolutely need to. My French roommates: Maxim (bottom left), Iuna (top left), and Matilda (top right) and their two friends that are at our flat most of the week.

The Uni Village that I live at is 500 meters away from campus and houses 500 students. I have found that most of the students are international, many from the States and France, but there's also people from India, Norway, Finland ect. The village had a bunch of free events for orientation week, ranging from carnivals, comedians, and multiple barbees. They also have a weekly schedule of events that include free food, cooking lessons, poker night, and free buses to the beach. I have met a lot of new people, but hang out with a lot kids from the states; its easier to speak with them and don't have to explain as many things.

(My Room)

(Cooking Lessons aka free food)

More Photos!

Found a few more photos that were taken at Byron on our hike to the Lighthouse

And here's one more with a 'Roo

International Orientation Trip: Hostel Life

We had about 120 people in our group traveling to Byron Bay; we took over the hostel that we stayed at. It was a 100 yard walk to the beach and town. There was a pool, beach volleyball court and some crazy hammock chairs.

International Orientation Trip: Most Easterly Point

After the Zoo we travled to Byron Bay to our hostel and then continued to the most easterly point in Australia. Got to see the long beach coast, on both sides of the point, and the awesome lighthouse.

International Orientation Trip: Zoo

The first stop on our International Orientation trip to Byron Bay was at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Here we saw Koalas, Crocs, Kangaroos, Snakes, and a ton of exotic birds.

Day 1

Took the bus to Surfers Paradise and skateboarded along the beach for a few miles.

The Flight

Shout out to Herb for hooking me up with great seats on the trip! Got to ride in a double decker also, it was pretty neat.

Posts To Come

Once I get all settled in, mostly the internet, then I will start posting stuff.