I found out today that the Address I was given is missing an important part. I probably would still get mail sent to the other address but it would likely take longer.
Correct Mailing Address:
Kelsey Davis
US Service Abroad Program
Campus and Community Life- BUILDING 599 (this is the part that was missing)
Curtin University of Technology
GPO BOX U1987
Perth, Western Australia 6845
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
( I thought I would add a few pictures even though they are totally out of order and have nothing to do with this current post. The top two pictures were taken Fremantle. The next two pictures are from our trip to the national park when we got to see koalas and kangas. And the last is downtown perth.)On Friday we went to Kings Park, which is a beautiful park overlooking the city of Perth. Our Study Abroad advisor told us we needed to go to Kings Park at least once during our stay in Perth. Of course, it took us a good two hours to get there even it should taken much less time. Part of the problem was the fact that we took the wrong bus for a bit (we were misled by an Aussie even…), and then we had to walk a good distance from where the bus dropped us off to actually arrive at the park. It was worth it though!
The rest of the weekend was also enjoyable. We went into the city for shopping on Saturday. There are a lot of really cool places to shop, and we found some inexpensive places too. There is even a Target here but it is so different from home. There are so many clothes and shoes at the Targets in Australia, and there are no groceries. On Saturday night we were hanging at our friends flat, and as we were sitting out on the patio, the neighbors locked themselves out on their patio. So we went over to help them out. We ended up hanging out at their place for a while, and we found out the guys who lived there were from Germany, Sweden, and Nigeria. I can’t believe how many students I have met from around the world.
The rest of the weekend was also enjoyable. We went into the city for shopping on Saturday. There are a lot of really cool places to shop, and we found some inexpensive places too. There is even a Target here but it is so different from home. There are so many clothes and shoes at the Targets in Australia, and there are no groceries. On Saturday night we were hanging at our friends flat, and as we were sitting out on the patio, the neighbors locked themselves out on their patio. So we went over to help them out. We ended up hanging out at their place for a while, and we found out the guys who lived there were from Germany, Sweden, and Nigeria. I can’t believe how many students I have met from around the world.
Monday was our first day of class here. I only have one math statistics class on Monday and I am finished by 10 am! So I had the rest of the day free. It just so happens that an guy from my church back home is currently in Perth on a business trip and he was able to bring me a package from my parents! So after my class I was able to go into the city to pick it up. It was the first time I used the public transportation system by myself, and I finally think I have a handle on the way it works. Later that night a group of us got together and made a delicious meal consisting of pasta, garlic bread, salad, and brownies. Lately I’ve really been missing mom’s home cooked meals and the convenience of meal plans at Elon.
Today I had two classes: Mathematical Methods and Sexology. Quite an interesting mix. The math class is going to be pretty difficult especially since the professor is difficult to follow. Sexology, on the other hand, will be rather interesting I think. It is basically a psychology class and half of the class consists of American students I already know. Tomorrow I don’t have any classes, so I am actually volunteering with Curtin Volunteers at a local food bank for a few hours. Thursday I have one class called Australian studies, and I am excited because the class involves four excursions and a lot of movie viewing!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
I never imagined I would be this busy before classes even started! Every day I have had the opportunity to do something new and exciting.
On Monday, a group of us went into the city to get proof of age cards so we won’t have to carry our passports with us everywhere. As good as the public transportation is here, sometimes I really wish I had a car because it takes so long to get places. For example we had to take one bus and two trains to get to the ID place, and that took over an hour. Then, we went to a really cool beach called Cottesloe, or as the Aussies say “Cott.” It was really windy that day so none of us realized how much sun we were getting until it was too late. I am still recovering from the sunburn on the back of legs!
Tuesday we went to Rottnest Island, which involved a two hour ferry ride. The trip was coordinated by the advisor for American study abroad students, so all of the American study abroad students went except a few who had really bad sunburns from the day before. There we got to see the rat-like animal the island is named after. As it turned out, we also saw a huge stingray, dolphins, and a really pitiful seal. The ferry ride back to Perth was not so fun because the water was very rough, and few people got pretty sick. Fortunately, I was not one of them.
Yesterday, Wednesday was O-Day or orientation day. This was similar to Elon’s organization fair in which students go around to tables and sign up for various clubs and activities. The campus was full of people and activities. There was a huge party at the Tav (the on-campus bar) and a couple of bands were playing throughout the day. Wednesday is also Karoke night at one of the bars near campus, and many Uni (university) students go there each week. I went with a group of people and It was quite an interesting experience.
On Monday, a group of us went into the city to get proof of age cards so we won’t have to carry our passports with us everywhere. As good as the public transportation is here, sometimes I really wish I had a car because it takes so long to get places. For example we had to take one bus and two trains to get to the ID place, and that took over an hour. Then, we went to a really cool beach called Cottesloe, or as the Aussies say “Cott.” It was really windy that day so none of us realized how much sun we were getting until it was too late. I am still recovering from the sunburn on the back of legs!
Tuesday we went to Rottnest Island, which involved a two hour ferry ride. The trip was coordinated by the advisor for American study abroad students, so all of the American study abroad students went except a few who had really bad sunburns from the day before. There we got to see the rat-like animal the island is named after. As it turned out, we also saw a huge stingray, dolphins, and a really pitiful seal. The ferry ride back to Perth was not so fun because the water was very rough, and few people got pretty sick. Fortunately, I was not one of them.
Yesterday, Wednesday was O-Day or orientation day. This was similar to Elon’s organization fair in which students go around to tables and sign up for various clubs and activities. The campus was full of people and activities. There was a huge party at the Tav (the on-campus bar) and a couple of bands were playing throughout the day. Wednesday is also Karoke night at one of the bars near campus, and many Uni (university) students go there each week. I went with a group of people and It was quite an interesting experience.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Yanchep Excursion
Yanchep National Park was amazing! We stayed at a hotel within the national park for two nights. In the morning and at dusk Kangaroos were everywhere outside the hotel! They are really amazing to see up close. I was most amazed by the size and strength of their tails. They actually use their tails to support them while standing. We also saw Koalas, which are so cute but extremely lazy because pretty much all they do is sleep and eat!
The first morning at Yanchep, we woke up and half of our group of American students went to a surf school about an hour away. It was amazing, and I now I really know how to surf on the little waves. My friend got some amazing pictures of our group surfing and I will share those when I have access to them. I can’t get over how beautiful the beaches are here. The water is a greenish blue color and the actual beaches are so clean.
The next morning, my group learned how to throw a spear and a boomerang. For me, throwing a spear was much more difficult than throwing the boomerang. We then learned a little about aboriginal culture. We even learned an aboriginal dance!
Once we returned from our excursion on Thursday afternoon, I had my first experience using the Perth’s public transportation system. Jenn, Matt, Komal, and I went to the shopping mall via bus. We didn’t really know exactly what we were doing but we learned along the way. Thursday in Perth is late night shopping hours, and by late night I mean 9:00pm. Every other day grocery stores and other stores close around 6 or 7pm.
Tonight I had my first cooking experience on campus! We went to the grocery store and bought taco ingredients to make in my friend’s flat. We quickly realized that we really didn’t have enough silverware or dishware for the four of us to use…so we had to improvise a little. Well, I know next time we will be more prepared!
The first morning at Yanchep, we woke up and half of our group of American students went to a surf school about an hour away. It was amazing, and I now I really know how to surf on the little waves. My friend got some amazing pictures of our group surfing and I will share those when I have access to them. I can’t get over how beautiful the beaches are here. The water is a greenish blue color and the actual beaches are so clean.
The next morning, my group learned how to throw a spear and a boomerang. For me, throwing a spear was much more difficult than throwing the boomerang. We then learned a little about aboriginal culture. We even learned an aboriginal dance!
Once we returned from our excursion on Thursday afternoon, I had my first experience using the Perth’s public transportation system. Jenn, Matt, Komal, and I went to the shopping mall via bus. We didn’t really know exactly what we were doing but we learned along the way. Thursday in Perth is late night shopping hours, and by late night I mean 9:00pm. Every other day grocery stores and other stores close around 6 or 7pm.
Tonight I had my first cooking experience on campus! We went to the grocery store and bought taco ingredients to make in my friend’s flat. We quickly realized that we really didn’t have enough silverware or dishware for the four of us to use…so we had to improvise a little. Well, I know next time we will be more prepared!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Wow! So much has happened in the last few days, but I haven’t been able to tell you all about it because I have not been able to charge my computer. It turned out that I must have had a faulty converter or something…Whew… I was getting worried. I also quickly found out that the internet is quite expensive here and I have to pay a fee each month for a certain amount of internet. Sadly, it takes up a lot of space to download pictures and use skype, but I still will use those on occasion! I got a cell phone here yesterday and it turns out that I can call people in the U.S. for about 29 cents/min, but it costs 78 cents/min to call my friends in Australia. That was exciting to find out!
My living arrangements are pretty decent. I live in a six person flat, but only 3 other girls have moved in so far. One of my roommates is from Canada (but originally from Brazil), and two are from China (and they have both already been here for last semester). They all seem very nice, but I haven’t had much time to hang out with them because I have been busy with orientation.
Tomorrow we are headed to a national park about an hour away from Perth, and we will have the opportunity to learn how to surf, and learn how to throw boomerangs and spears. And best of all…We will get to see real live KANGAROOS and KOALAS! I will be gone for 2-3 days, but I will be sure to keep you updated on that adventure!
Oh and here’s my mailing address:
Kelsey Davis
US Service Abroad Program
Campus and Community Life
Curtin University of Technology
GPO Box U1987
Perth, Western Australia 6845
My living arrangements are pretty decent. I live in a six person flat, but only 3 other girls have moved in so far. One of my roommates is from Canada (but originally from Brazil), and two are from China (and they have both already been here for last semester). They all seem very nice, but I haven’t had much time to hang out with them because I have been busy with orientation.
Tomorrow we are headed to a national park about an hour away from Perth, and we will have the opportunity to learn how to surf, and learn how to throw boomerangs and spears. And best of all…We will get to see real live KANGAROOS and KOALAS! I will be gone for 2-3 days, but I will be sure to keep you updated on that adventure!
Oh and here’s my mailing address:
Kelsey Davis
US Service Abroad Program
Campus and Community Life
Curtin University of Technology
GPO Box U1987
Perth, Western Australia 6845
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Finally In Perth after over 40 hours of traveling!
At last I am here! I arrived today (saturday) at around 5pm, which is 14 hours ahead of the east coast. I am feeling pretty exhausted now, but I am doing much better than I imagined after so much traveling.
We (me and five other students from elon) met up in LA and traveled to brisbane first. We ended up meeting a guy who was headed to study at another university and he was from fort mill and he is currently rooming with a friend of mine from high school. It was crazy how he knew so many of my friends that go to Clemson!
Perth is beautiful. There are so many parks and places to explore . Tonight we went to dinner at an asian restaurant after we were picked up from the airport and arrrived at our hotel. I learned that I should always exactly what something is before I order it. Some how I managed to order a stirfry that included so many different types of meat...I couldn't even name them. I have so much to say but my time on the internet is running out...i'll try to post again soon :)
We (me and five other students from elon) met up in LA and traveled to brisbane first. We ended up meeting a guy who was headed to study at another university and he was from fort mill and he is currently rooming with a friend of mine from high school. It was crazy how he knew so many of my friends that go to Clemson!
Perth is beautiful. There are so many parks and places to explore . Tonight we went to dinner at an asian restaurant after we were picked up from the airport and arrrived at our hotel. I learned that I should always exactly what something is before I order it. Some how I managed to order a stirfry that included so many different types of meat...I couldn't even name them. I have so much to say but my time on the internet is running out...i'll try to post again soon :)
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Hey Everyone! I wanted to go ahead and let everyone know about my blog before I leave for Australia in 2 short days! I will keep you all posted with my adventures and experiences in Australia. I would love to hear from you all as well! I will still check my elon email regularly (kdavis13@elon.edu).
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