Abroad In Australia

Saying Goodbye

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 23:58:12 +1000

Saying goodbye is always hard especially for me. There are no words to describe how much this experience in Brisbane has meant to me. I love Australia but it’s not so much that I’m sad to leave the country itself, I’m sad to leave my friends behind. Although I have only known them for four months I feel like I’ve known them forever. I am so thankful to have met such wonderful people here studying abroad in Australia from all continents except Africa (and of course Antarctica). I just wanted to give a special thanks to some of you, in no particular order, all of you are special to me.

Miska: My dear Czech sister I love you so much and I’m so glad that you are my friend. I loved the beginning of our friendship at the toilet party where you thought I didn’t know where the Czech Republic was but I just didn’t understand you. Keep taking pictures and remember THE. You have really made my time here in Brisbane special.

Iga: You crazy Polish girl, my time is never boring when spent in your presence. I hope I never get duck flu or have to curl my tongue in my mouth when I’m sleeping because it’s too big for my mouth. Remember to smile, but the Iga face is always good for a good laugh. And don’t go too crazy in China without me.

Ellen: The cool Dutch girl. Too bad you didn’t find us before the camping trip but we’ve had lots of good times since then. I’m so glad Operation Ellen was a success and you had a fabulous birthday. And I’m sorry that I tell you the same story multiple times but I guess it shows that you’re listening. I’m glad you enjoyed sleeping on my couch more than your own house. I’ll miss you like crazy.

Bartek: I hope someday that I can pass Scarlett Johansson and become your favorite American girl. Regardless, you are still my favorite Polish guy and I have enjoyed all of my time spent with you beginning with the toilet party where I was able to guess on the first try that you were from Poland. See not all Americans are as dumb as people think they are. I will miss you Glass Breaker and your Just Juice.

Jihane: My 21st birthday was the best birthday of my life and all thanks to you. Sometimes I do believe that everything happens for a reason, why else would you and Sarah randomly picked to be in our room at the hostel at Byron Bay. Girl’s nights were the best and you are one of the most considerate and unselfish person I have ever met. Don’t forget about your Clarita.

Marketa: Oh Marketko, such good times in MARS even though that final exam was unspeakable. We met at Byron bay and then I had a friend to sit next to during class. Collecting hermit crabs in the dark in the rain was 10x better since you were there. I loved baking you and Miska the cake! You are so sweet and that’s why everyone loves you. Love, Klarka.

Hynek: So much fun at the AFL game, thank you so much for organizing it! Hopefully someday I’ll be able to actually read the Czech you wrote on my flag without google translator. ;)

Marjie: Never become somebody that I used to know. Lucky for me you live in the neighboring state so I will see you more often than the others. An experience of a lifetime in N-Zed. I’m so glad you went with me and that we were able to complete the alpine crossing. And family dinners, just remember that princes go to Princeton.

Bruno: I don’t know how I’ll survive without your massages! No one can ever be as good as you. Good times at the RE and you are such a gentleman for helping Miska down the mountain during the camping trip. I’ll miss you you French masseus!

Soroush: So guys, no wait guys. So, uh, um…ok let’s get to the point. ;) I’m glad I got to know you even though you have terrible jokes and you pushed me into the pool on my birthday when we first met. But seriously, don’t ever shave. And don’t forget your exchange students next semester.

Verczka: Aren’t you glad I thought of that nickname for you? Now you can think of it and think of me. Contemporary Australia. Enough said. But really don’t get duck flu and please please please come visit me and I desperately want to go to Prague! Love you Verczko! =)

Oskar: Ok, so what are you, Polish or German? But maybe I can find somewhere deep in my heart to forgive you and your…antics. And the fact that you didn’t give me a proper goodbye, but I will still miss you. Look me up when you come to New England next year.

Birgit: Lots of fun at the AFL game with you and especially studying in our favorite spot in the Michie building. So smart for dropping MARS after the field trips! I hope by the time you get home your brother hasn’t killed all of your plants.

Ania: If it weren’t for you I would’ve never indulged in Mexican food in my time in Australia. All I want for Christmas is you and possibly some tim tams. All the best and see you in the US. =)

Axel: Because of you, closing your eyes in pictures will forever be “Norwegian Syndrome” to me. And maybe someday I will have to learn a proper greeting in Norwegian because I don’t think all of you would take too kindly to my present greeting. I forgive you for losing my necklace and you made up for it by taking all of my stuff for me as I struggled up the pyramid at Girraween. Just don’t lose any more necklaces. ;)

Erlend: You are the first Norwegian I met. Too bad you caught Norwegian Syndrome from Axel when a camera is around. Good times at Moreton Island and stay warm when you go back to cold northern Europe (I’m only joking, I know it’s summer).

Joha: Thanks for the lava lamp, my friend. Even though MARS was terrible, I was so glad to get to know you on the Heron trip. Also, thanks for always having a beer just for me. ;)

Lucie: Here comes the sun doo doo doo doo here comes the sun and I say its allright. I will always think of you when I hear this song. Thanks for always watching out for me and being my “Australian mum”. I’ll make sure to try the cheesecake recipe when I get back home, but I’m sure it won’t come out as good as yours. I’ll have to come to the Czech Republic so you can make it for me.

Jess: Thanks for being my first friend in Australia. You were there for me when I really needed a friend. Great times in Melbourne and waiting for the last penguin to come back onto land at Phillip Island. Our crazy tour guide Damon on the Great Ocean Road. See you soon!

Greer: Too bad you never went on the same MARS field trips with me but it was so nice to get to know you and your couch…Anyways, we’ll definitely stay in touch and you are welcome to come visit me whenever. At UConn too of course!

Marissa: Maybe I can still be your friend even though you go to Syracuse. Thanks for being my snorkelling buddy during the boat snorkel at Heron Island. I love that I’m in your video! You are awesome and I loved the times spent trying to find eachother at the RE.

Sarah: My favorite European Sarah. I’m so glad to have met you and so thankful that you were in our room at Byron Bay. It must’ve been fate. I’m sad that I didn’t get to see much of you after mid-semester break but I’ve always wanted to go to Paris. And it would be even better with a local tour guide. Miss you already!

Laure: I can’t thank you enough for letting me borrow your sleeping bag for the camping trip. While everyone else was freezing I had a nice warm comfortable sleeping bag. And I’m sorry about giving it back to you so late. I had a great time with you at Moreton Island. Enjoy the rest of your time in Australia.

Elisa: One of my favorite Americans. Yes, American because America includes North and South America. My favorite Brazilian, I’m so glad we got the same project together at Heron Island. Too bad I was sick and you had to do all the work. Thanks! I’m so jealous that you get to have a whole extra semester in Australia. Live it up! =)

Vojta: Maybe I should just say see you! Would that be more appropriate, it would be coming from you. Thanks for having the coolest house, way better than mine. And so smart for dropping Contemporary Australia. Have an awesome time in Cairns, my Czech friend.

Pooya: I loved all of our conversations in the library but too bad we didn’t see more of eachother. The toilet party (aka QUEST BBQ) was lovely and still brings a smile to my face. And reminiscing about glass breaker, my personal translator during the movie. I’ll miss you!

Matthieu: I remember meeting you and Bartek at the toilet party and I know it’s really cliche to say but it changed my life forever, or at least my time in Australia. You are an awesome French guy and I’ll miss you so much! I’ll always remember the pillow you saved from the trash.

Sebastian Contreras Huerta: Are you sure you’re the same guy without your hair? I don’t know… I remember meeting you coming home on the citycat from the regatta. I hope I’m always your favorite Polish friend and we had some great times you crazy Chilean.

Claire: Thank you so much for showing us around Wellington. And the Ginger Lovers candy will never get old. I’m glad I got to meet you and eat our way around Wellington. Your country is awesome and you’re always welcome to come visit the USA.

Thereze: Moreton Island was awesome, and I have yours and Jihane’s dance recorded on my computer. So I can watch it and remember the good times. Thanks for giving me a real cup and not just my mug. And you’re a champ for being at that party the night before your exam.

Ken: Thanks for always stalking me in the library. Seriously, you’re everywhere! And for leading us home after the turban party. You are my favorite Singapore guy and don’t miss us too much next semester ;)

Joshie: Thanks to you I was convinced to swim in the ocean at night at Moreton Island. Thank goodness I didn’t get eaten by a shark. But you know I love Michigan people. And although my UConn teams may be bad next year, I might bring myself to cheer for yours.

Yama: I’m so sorry I didn’t get to meet up with you in Sydney! But I’m glad you were Vojta’s housemate so I got the chance to meet you. You are really a gentleman which is hard to find nowadays. Make sure you always stay that way =)

Zuzka: You make the best Czech dumplings and I am so happy that I was invited to your birthday party! I had a great time and always love being around my Czechs. Even though Contemporary Australia was boring, it was good because it gave me the opportunity to meet you.

Star: Thanks for putting up with me and my noisy friends. You really are a great housemate and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors and hope you get to stay in Australia or wherever else you want to go.

Benjie: Remember there’s a difference between “home” and “ome”. I’m only joking, your accent is very easy to understand. Enjoy the rest of your time in Australia. Thanks for all the great times at the RE and what not. You are a great French guy and I will never forget you.

Petra: You were the last of the Czechs (except for Lenka) that I met but that doesn’t mean you’re any less important than the rest. Prague is now my number one city to visit in Europe and I hope you and your bike got home safely.

Sebastian Andres Sarquis: Sorry for spelling out your entire name but I had to distinguish between Sebastians. I’m not going to talk about the final exam for MARS but Heron Island really was paradise. You know I love my South Americans too, not just my Europeans. Love, Clarita.

Charly: The “Hotel California” will always remind me of you and the camping trip because that was apparently the only song anyone ever wanted you to sing. But it was awesome how you filled the camping trip and Moreton Island with your music. Never stop playing the guitar and filling people’s lives with music.

QUEST Execs: My life in Australia would have been completely different if it weren’t for this organization. Joining QUEST was one of the best decisions of my life and I have made I’m sure of it life-long friendships because of all of you. Don’t forget about me, the girl who got to the boat party ticket sales three hours early. You guys are awesome and I’ve enjoyed my time with each and every one of you. =)

I’m sorry if I forgot about anyone but it’s getting late and I really should finish packing. Oops, this was more important. So don’t forget about me my friends and I will never forget you. This has been a once in a lifetime experience. I love you all! <3

Three Sisters, Blue Mountains

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 17:57:00 +1000

Three Sisters, Blue Mountains

Kings Tableland, Blue Mountains

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 17:54:00 +1000

Kings Tableland, Blue Mountains

Sydney Day 2

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 17:53:25 +1000

This day was actually not spent much in Sydney itself because I went for a day tour to the Blue Mountains about an hour out of Sydney. I went on a tour with 24 other people and the company actually picked me up right outside of my hostel. And another good thing about my hostel’s central location was that I was the second to last stop and didn’t have to wait a long time for the group to pick everyone else up.

The first stop was the Nepean River and can I say that it makes the Brisbane river look pristine. The water was very dirty and murky but our guide gave us refreshments and biscuits (cookies) while he was taking payments for the trip.

Next we came to the Kings Tableland lookout where we had a breathtaking view of the blue mountains and couldn’t have had a better day, blue skies and comfortable temperatures even in winter. The mountains have a blue haze to them because of all the eucalyptus that is reflected off of them, giving the blue color.

We drove a little bit to get to Wentworth falls and took a short bushwalk down to an overlook where we got a better view of the falls as well as great views of the mountains. Following this, we spent lunch in a cute little town called Leura before heading to Scenic World.

Scenic World was an extra payment but I decided to go for it and I’m so glad I did. I rode a glass-bottomed gondola across the valley with a view of the famous Three Sisters formation. Then we took a ride down the mountain which was basically like a short rollercoaster ride built into the side of the mountain. So awesome! At the bottom of the valley, we took a walk through a temperate rainforest and saw the original coal mines from the 1800’s. The cable car brought us back up the mountain. We saw some Aboriginal carvings and kangaroos before heading to the harbour cruise.

Included in my tour was a beautiful cruise of Sydney harbour at night. We rode the boat from the outskirts of town to Darling Harbour and then under the harbour bridge and past the Opera House into Circular Quay. I thought that Sydney was beautiful during the day but it is even more so at night.

The next day I basically had time to checkout and catch my flight back to Brisbane. Sydney was the perfect place to go for my last Australian adventure!

Darling Harbour at Sunset

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 13:06:45 +1000

Darling Harbour at Sunset

Harbour Bridge from Pylon Point

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 13:04:35 +1000

Harbour Bridge from Pylon Point

The Opera House

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 13:01:00 +1000

The Opera House

Classic Sydney, Australia

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 12:58:00 +1000

Classic Sydney, Australia

Sydney Day 1

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 12:54:00 +1000

Sydney was my last Australian adventure before I go back home and what a way to end the semester in Australia’s largest city. I went by myself which I believe is a huge accomplishment for me and shows how much this exchange experience has changed me. Before I came to Australia, I would never have gone by myself. And I’m glad I did or else I wouldn’t have seen Sydney. And come on, how can you be in Australia for a semester and NOT go to Sydney?

My flight got in in the evening and it was really easy to get to my hostel as it was in the CBD really close to Central Station. The next day I made up my own itinerary and did a walking tour of the city. I started off with the barracks where they held the first convicts in Sydney, the New South Wales parliament building, Mint building, and St Mary’s Cathedral. I then walked through Hyde Park to the Botanical Gardens. Yes, there is a Hyde Park. Those copycats.

I went to a place through the Botanical gardens where I got a gorgeous view of the harbour bridge and the Sydney Opera House. It was so exciting to actually see this in person after seeing pictures and hearing about it my entire life. I walked around Farm Cove with beautiful views of the harbour to the Opera House itself. Once I got to the Opera House, I was awestruck. When I was leaving, I was going to just walk away but then I realized, kind of corny I know, that I hadn’t touched the Opera House yet. I ran back up the stairs to do so, because who knows if I’ll ever be back.

Next stop was the harbour bridge and on the way I walked around Sydney cove and the Rocks. The Rocks is a historic district of Sydney still intact from the 1800’s. Very cool old buildings. Walking on the harbour bridge was also the experience of a lifetime and I paid a couple of dollars to walk up to the top of Pylon point where I received panoramic views of the city and the Opera House.

To end the day, I arrived in Darling Harbour at sunset and took a walk on the Pyrmont bridge before going back to my hostel. I got really lucky because I made friends with a really friendly Australian girl staying in the same room at my hostel. And we had fun arguing over the differences between American and Australian english while eating mint slices and tim tams.

Photo

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:29:00 +1000

The Croc Show

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:25:00 +1000

The Croc Show

I never get tired of the kangaroos

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:23:00 +1000

I never get tired of the kangaroos

Feeding the elephants

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:22:00 +1000

Feeding the elephants

Australia Zoo

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:18:00 +1000

After studying for two weeks straight, a break was needed. The Australia Zoo was a perfect place to get my mind off of my upcoming exams. I went by subway with my friends Ellen and Birgit really early in the morning. When we got off the subway, the zoo had a free bus that picked us up and dropped us off at the entrance.

The Australia Zoo is owned by the Irwin family and you can feel the Crocodile Hunter’s presence all over the zoo. It started off as a reptile park and is continuously expanding into a larger zoo with many different types of animals from all continents. Right now it is still predominantly filled with Australian animals but there is a Southeast Asia section as well as Africa.

When we got there the first thing we did was go see the elephants and we even got to feed them! It was us in line with a whole bunch of parents with their children. All we had to do was to stand a certain distance away from the elephant and hold out our palms with the food (various fruits and vegetables). The elephant took the food right out of my hand with its trunk and even grabbed onto my hand for a little bit. It was so awesome that I kept getting back in line until the zookeepers ran out of food. The Africa section of the zoo was a giant habitat with giraffes, zebras, and rhinos all in one enclosure. That was cool because it made it seem more like a natural habitat.

Next we saw the tigers and kangaroos before heading over to the famous show that Steve Irwin was so famous for. It included the zookeepers getting extremely close to the crocs as well as performances by many birds and snakes.

After the show, there was a keeper talk at one of the koala exhibits which of course I liked because of my love for animals. We saw many native Australian animals including the tasmanian devil and wombat. One interesting thing about the Australia Zoo is that they just walk around with dangerous animals on leashes such as the tasmanian devil and cheetahs.

We happened to come across a tiger talk where they showed us the behaviours that they taught the tigers in order to be able to handle them and operate on them with less stress to the animal. The zookeepers work with the animals their entire life so the animal is able to be comfortable with them.

The habitats were well landscaped and gave the animals adequate space to live and it looked like the zoo tried really hard to give the animals the proper enrichment and habitat to lead a stress-free life in captivity. After the end of this day, I realized how much I missed being at the zoo and even told my friends random facts about animals that I pulled from my memory from working as a camp counselor at the Detroit Zoo last summer.

Go Lions! =)

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:26:00 +1000

Go Lions! =)

The closest I can get to actually being with the team

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:20:00 +1000

The closest I can get to actually being with the team

AFL Game

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:14:00 +1000

One of the must-dos for any sports fan in Australia is to go see an AFL (Australian Football League) game. So on Sunday with a couple of friends, I went out to the Gabba to support the local team, the Brisbane Lions. And the name is actually really funny because of the American football team back home, the Detroit Lions. However, Australian football is way different than American football.

It’s kind of hard to explain, I’m sure if you wanted you could just look the rules up online so I’m not going to bore you with them now. AFL reminds me of a mixture between soccer, American football, and quidditch. To be honest. But it was a pretty awesome sport. At first it was confusing but I picked it up pretty quickly. No pads though, they must get bruised up so quickly. And they even kept playing when a guy was hurt on the field.

When we entered the stadium, we were given so many things to cheer with that I couldn’t even hold them all. And when we found seats we realized we were sitting in enemy territory (the West Coast Eagles from Perth) which didn’t seem all that unusual for me considering I go to see the Detroit Tigers in Boston and New York quite a bit. But we moved at halftime and sat with the Lions fans.

We won 102-100 and scored for the last time in the last couple of minutes. Except you never knew when the time was up because there was so much variation between quarter lengths. But it’s always exciting to go to a game where your team wins.

Go Lions! =)

Brisbane by Night

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 23:04:00 +1000

Brisbane by Night

These crazy people =)

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:07:00 +1000

These crazy people =)

Queensland Parliament

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:03:00 +1000

Queensland Parliament