May 4th, 2018
Eleventh Week in Perth, Australia:
I cannot believe I have already been away from the United States for eleven weeks! I miss my family incredibly, but at the same time, I really am enjoying my experience here. My cousin has made me feel so welcome with his bimonthly visitations in addition to my local friends’ invitations to parties, dinners, and other explorative events. I suppose you could say I’ve found a sense of pride in being a resident of Australia.
On Sunday, my friend Shayla and I joined a few other foreign exchange students in an excursion to Cottesloe Beach. Together, my mates and I navigated foreign transport strictly off of memory and subtle roadmaps. At the finale of our excursion, we located Cottesloe beach and found serenity nesting upon its friendly shores. I even treated myself to a 45-minute siesta! After about an hour or so, the sun had begun to set, and that consequently prompted our dismissal. Overall, we all had a fabulous time resting lazily in the sun, although agreed that next time we would need to depart a bit earlier.
The next day, my friend Leah and I drove down to the lovely town of Dunsborough. While out of town, her, her friend, Cara, and I visited Ngligi Cave, a nearby lighthouse, and several other local beaches. They had also introduced me to their friend, Georgia. It was a short excursion, however, considering I had to be back within two days to attend my Wednesday tutorial. Overall, the trip ended up being a success, and I’m incredibly thankful I got to explore southern WA!
On Sunday, my friend Shayla and I joined a few other foreign exchange students in an excursion to Cottesloe Beach. Together, my mates and I navigated foreign transport strictly off of memory and subtle roadmaps. At the finale of our excursion, we located Cottesloe beach and found serenity nesting upon its friendly shores. I even treated myself to a 45-minute siesta! After about an hour or so, the sun had begun to set, and that consequently prompted our dismissal. Overall, we all had a fabulous time resting lazily in the sun, although agreed that next time we would need to depart a bit earlier.
The next day, my friend Leah and I drove down to the lovely town of Dunsborough. While out of town, her, her friend, Cara, and I visited Ngligi Cave, a nearby lighthouse, and several other local beaches. They had also introduced me to their friend, Georgia. It was a short excursion, however, considering I had to be back within two days to attend my Wednesday tutorial. Overall, the trip ended up being a success, and I’m incredibly thankful I got to explore southern WA!
What are you learning in class? What are you learning outside of class?
At Curtin University, a majority of my courses are approaching assessment due dates. This means that as students continue to collect information from their tutors, they are also spending long hours outside of the classroom completing heavily-weighted assignments. For me, I currently have one short-essay assessment due next Friday in addition to completing my renewable energy group project. I’m not too worried about the essay, however, my lack of attention regarding my group project is beginning to worry me. I feel like the other members aren’t even concerned! What am I supposed to do? I hate confrontation, so I will most likely have to toughen up and pull out the win on this one.
I also had my Engineering Programming exam this week. The time that was being redirected away from my group project was being invested in preparing for this exam, and I must say, I’m feeling pretty good about it! The exam went a lot smoother than I was expecting. I am so glad to have gotten it out of the way, and now I can use those hours spent studying for completing my group assignment.
While being outside of class, I’ve learned a lot about my struggle to accept myself. It was no surprise to find that I’m incredibly hard on myself, however, I’ve started to realize how difficult it is to accept my mistakes. In making these mistakes, I drill myself into a deeper hole of more mistakes, regrets, and more reasons to be hard on myself. Breaking this endless habit has proven to be tough, however, I am continuing to battle my inner thoughts and grow as an individual. I constantly have to remind myself the importance of progress ahead of perfection, and I accredit that understanding to my vulnerability while being abroad.
I also had my Engineering Programming exam this week. The time that was being redirected away from my group project was being invested in preparing for this exam, and I must say, I’m feeling pretty good about it! The exam went a lot smoother than I was expecting. I am so glad to have gotten it out of the way, and now I can use those hours spent studying for completing my group assignment.
While being outside of class, I’ve learned a lot about my struggle to accept myself. It was no surprise to find that I’m incredibly hard on myself, however, I’ve started to realize how difficult it is to accept my mistakes. In making these mistakes, I drill myself into a deeper hole of more mistakes, regrets, and more reasons to be hard on myself. Breaking this endless habit has proven to be tough, however, I am continuing to battle my inner thoughts and grow as an individual. I constantly have to remind myself the importance of progress ahead of perfection, and I accredit that understanding to my vulnerability while being abroad.
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