April 12th, 2018
Eighth Week in Perth, Australia:
I’m roughly halfway through this semester and it’s passing by so fast! It feels as though I’ve just landed in Perth a week ago. Despite the fact that time is flying by, my relationship with this country has only just begun.
This week commenced with a long, 7-hour drive to campus from our adorable Northampton accommodation. Two hours into our trek, we visited the Hutt River Province to get our passports stamped and explore the historical artifacts. After about another half-hour of driving, our group had arrived at a quaint petting zoo. Everybody had a wonderful time feeding the kangaroos meanwhile I almost got my hand swallowed by an ostrich! I guess I should have listened to the park director’s guide to refrain from feeding the birds. Once everyone had finished feeding the animals, we initiated our 5-hour drive to campus. The drive was incredibly quiet because everyone had been worn out and ready to take a hot shower.
The remainder of my week has been occupied with trips to Varsity’s, volunteering at Curtin’s “What’s Next?” Preparation Session, and panicking to complete three assessments. The stress of uni obligations has driven me to partake in 2 all-nighters and purchase heaps of caffeine. On the bright side, this weekend will be loaded with some much needed me-time. I also got invited to a birthday party for an exchange student I had met last week while traveling!
This week commenced with a long, 7-hour drive to campus from our adorable Northampton accommodation. Two hours into our trek, we visited the Hutt River Province to get our passports stamped and explore the historical artifacts. After about another half-hour of driving, our group had arrived at a quaint petting zoo. Everybody had a wonderful time feeding the kangaroos meanwhile I almost got my hand swallowed by an ostrich! I guess I should have listened to the park director’s guide to refrain from feeding the birds. Once everyone had finished feeding the animals, we initiated our 5-hour drive to campus. The drive was incredibly quiet because everyone had been worn out and ready to take a hot shower.
The remainder of my week has been occupied with trips to Varsity’s, volunteering at Curtin’s “What’s Next?” Preparation Session, and panicking to complete three assessments. The stress of uni obligations has driven me to partake in 2 all-nighters and purchase heaps of caffeine. On the bright side, this weekend will be loaded with some much needed me-time. I also got invited to a birthday party for an exchange student I had met last week while traveling!
What is your favorite thing about your host university?
I think one of my favorite characteristics about my host university is the colorful scenery. Each quad is supplied with beautiful artwork and flourishing greenery. Simple sights like these enable me to leave my thoughts and appreciate the beauty of nature. They also distract me from checking my phone, which has been known to overwhelm me in the past. My host university further provides comfortable bean bags for sitting back and studying for class. I have yet to try them out for myself, but I’ll run to them if I ever need a quick nap! Curtin’s dedication to involving students has been another uplifting aspect of my campus experience. They offer a tremendous range of events, all-inclusive clubs, and a variety of traveling opportunities for exchange students.
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