Don’t worry guys I’m alive! It’s been crazy hectic this last week, which is why it has taken forever to blog.

Let’s start at the beginning. My flights went smoothly and good. My first flight I sat next to two men, who both happened to be from Wisconsin. One was a dairy farmer, the other a Man of History. I enjoyed my company talking with them and it made the flight go by fast. My second flight from LA departed around close to midnight. I also met up with the other SCSU students who would be staying in Lismore like myself. It was nice because I had a window seat and the middle seat was open, so I slept on both seats for most of the fight, I would say about close to nine hours. I then watched a movie and then…. We were landing!! Ah I was so excited to start this new journey in my life (And also to be finished with close to 20 hours of flying)

Saying goodbyes at the airport)

Flying into LA – Such a beautiful site

Stepping off the plane you could feel the humidity and how hot it was outside…no more Minnesota snow/cold!!

We met up with other international students studying abroad at Southern Cross and met up with our coordinator James. On to the bus we went. Southern Cross is about 2 hours away from Brisbane the town we flew into. On our way to campus we stopped at a fast food joint which had a McDonalds, or should I say “Mac Er’s” is Aussie slang. Finally we arrived at Orion College. That’s where I will be staying this semester. I picked up my room keys and off I went to complex 19A.

There was literally NOTHING in my complex…so off to shopping I went!

Yes, both carts were mine and I had to carry everything ALL the way up to my room. Let me remind you I got put in the back up a hill so this was an interesting task to carry everything.

As the first few days here went on, eventually my roommates showed up. Currently I have two girls from Wisconsin Alexis and Dayna, Jasmine who is from here, and then there’s Leo. Who is also from Australia and also the only boy. Apparently we have another guy roommate but he currently is M.I.A……Please show up anytime soon!

My first week here was Orientation week….or should I say: O-WEEK. In the mornings, international students had orientation on campus, learning about the school, town, classes , signing up for trips,ect. Then at night is when all the festivities began, meeting and making new friends and memories, and also drinking the only alcohol us students can afford here….GOON…or as in America (boxed wine). Alcohol is veeerrrryy expensive here, and just about everything else in general is too.

Hawaiian Night

On Valentines Day, us international students took a bus trip up to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Here I got to hold a Koala Bear! And play around with Kangaroos! One of the best days ever!  They were my best Valentine’s Day dates by far

Today is Tuesday, February 17th, which also was my first day of classes. O-Week is now over and classes are in session. My schedule is really nice and laid back, something I have never had back in the states. Here I only am allowed to take three classes at 4 credits each. And I only have one class a day on Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s and Friday’s for 3 hours. No classes Monday’s and Thursday’s! Woo!!

Back home I am used to taking 17 credits, class everyday of the week, along with working full time. So it will be nice to not have to be so rushed and have time to lay back and relax, and even soak up some rays at the pool in Orion 

Anyways, I am so far loving every minute of my time here. Australia is such a fun and beautiful place, and I have made so many friends and memories just after the first week being here.

I promise I’ll try to keep up with the blog posts now that I have everything situated and figured out!