So let’s catch up! I saw Harry Potter (whoa) and toured Freemantle (Freo) and Subiaco (another neighborhood near Perth where there’s a cheap local market) with many non-K students. It’s been great getting to know them. I also got to meet Ash’s friends. His friend Nathan is all green and into ocean conservation. He also has his SCUBA diving ticket (certification) and has been accompanying me surfing. He seems enthusiastic about going diving with me as well. I’ve also found 3 other American divers out of our group. I can’t wait to get in the water—the ocean is incredibly immense and beautiful. The waves are just majestic (and violent when I eat it falling off the surfboard).
I only have class Tuesday through Friday. My first day of uni was great. I had Coral Reef Systems, which is a bio class about corals—so excited to dissect them next week! But that was shortened and my tutorial was cancelled, so I went to the Western Australia Museum with Ash and we got a beer at a classy bar. The next day I had Introduction to Indigenous Australians, a one hour lecture in which a lot of Americans are enrolled. The professors for both the lecture and tutorial are Indigenous Australians.
A Wednesday ritual is to go to the Tavern (tav for short). It's the free campus bar and almost everyone from our group goes—even people who don’t attend Curtin come to the tav. Plus it’s a safe, nearby place to go have fun but not be out all night when you have class the next day (win).
Thursday I had Sustainable Development and Environmental Uncertainty, a really easy class that I think I know a lot of the material already. Lectures are filmed and put online so I may not go to that class often. I am also in Environmental and Coastal Planning (on Friday for lecture and tutorial) which will be challenging because it’s a lot about Perth’s coast and environment, which I don’t know a lot about. During the tutorial for that class I just talked about America. I really appreciate the lecturer though, he’s very efficient and keeps my interest up.
I also have a volunteering class that will help me through my ICRP. I’m still not sure about where I’ll be doing my internship(s) and what weekend volunteer trips I’ll be able to do. Some of the environmental and indigenous experiences look great. When I figure it out I’ll report more. Until I get that settled, that class is smooth sailing. Today we watched “The Castle,” apparently an Australian comedic/political classic.
I also attended my first Australian Football game with Ash. It was the derby, or cross-town classic between the Freo Dockers and the West Coast Eagles. I got to wear his scarf and we drank (my first time at a sporting event) while I was taught the rules. Footy is a combo of American football and soccer, but much more flexible. The field is oval-shaped and the players are super fit. I like it a lot actually—it’s sad that we don’t have it in the states.
Birthday week: The Americans came over Monday night and offered me drinks and cake and I made a toast and everything. Tuesday morning (my actual birthday) I had a Coral Reefs lecture and then a tutorial for it. We identified corals by looking at a tank, a book and the species names. Exhausting. Last night my flatmates also invited all their friends over and we ate real Asian food, complete with spring rolls, chicken, quiche, cake, ice cream and beer. Yum. The rest of my time has been filled with working on this 30 minute powerpoint presentation that is due tomorrow. With the powerpoint I also have to turn in references, 1000 word essay and presentation notes. It’s pretty much finished, I just need to tweak it. Who knew I’d be turning in assignments this early! It’s strange to work in July, but work hard, play hard, right?
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