Hello all- I am somewhat behind starting this. I have been here since Sunday (It's now Friday afternoon). There hasn't been a lot going on this week except for the orientation and meetings you have at the beginning of school. I felt like a freshman all over again with the mandatory meetings and all the forms to fill out. The flight over was 14 hours, but the majority of it was spent sleeping or watching a movie. Upon arrival, I was terrified to go through customs. I knew there wasn't anything with me that would be an issue, but I had never done anything like that. Of course, I walk through & immigration takes me away. I thought I was going to die...and all it was for was to put my "other given name", aka my middle name onto my student visa. It would have been nice if someone would have told me before I almost had a stroke! Other than that, I made it to Bond University alright.
A lot about Australia and their culture is similar to the United States, but there is still so much that is different. Yes, they do drive on the left side of the road on the driver is on the right side of the vehicle. The other slightly disturbing difference is the guys that believe the speedo is a "normal" thing to wear as swimming attire. My room overlooks the Olympic size swimming pool here at Bond & many men, of all ages and weights feel the speedo a brilliant thing to wear (I have refrained from saying anything...but it's very hard).
I have wondered around campus and I'm still trying to figure out where everything is and where to do for different things. The campus is beautiful. We're surrounded by a lake and it also comes into part of the campus. We have already been warned NOT to swim in the lake because of the bull sharks (just what I needed-something else to be scared of right when I got here). I'm always extra careful when I walk anywhere near the lake!
I'm still adjusting to the time different (we are 15 hours ahead here) so my sleeping patterns are still all out of whack. Hopefully they are all straightened out when we start classes on Monday :) They do have a great selection of fitness classes on campus so that helps when I need to get my mind off the idea of being away from home for so long. The good news is that I'm adjusting and the homesickness is wearing off a little. I'm sure once school begins and I get in the swing of things, these will be more interesting & I'll be able to share all the great experiences I'm having. I miss all of you & will write more soon.
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