Student Bloggers

After over 24 hours of traveling, I'm finally in the land down under! Despite really stressful layovers and almost missing my flight from Brisbane to Melbourne, I have safely arrived and have spent almost two days in Australia's second largest city. And God always provides! A personal escort from the janky American Eagle Regional Terminal to LAX's TB International Terminal, a window seat on the 15 hour flight with an empty seat next to me, and a Traveling buddy! 

Because I landed after 9:30am, I had to find my own transportation to the hotel where we're having orientation. But as I boarded this last flight, I noticed someone in Santa Clara gear, so after we claimed our luggage I went up to him (Grant) and we ended getting a taxi together and splitting the cost. PTL :) And losing one luggage helped, because I don't think it would've all fit in the trunk. Don't worry, I just picked it up from the hotel's front desk; now I have flip-flops, socks, and my hairbrush. And that kid sitting in the row in front of me with the bloody nose from SJC to LAX (who also got rerouted to the exact same LAX to BNE to MEL flight sequence) is also studying abroad with the same program (but going to Sydney)! Strangely coincidental that we're from the same hometown too... 

Melbourne reminds me of San Francisco, New York City, and Taipei all mashed together. The high-rise buildings and Chinatown are reminiscent of SF; the buskers and businessmen remind me of NYC; and the smoking, street food, and shops (with Chinese signs!) harken memories of Taipei.  There are also hints of Boston here, too: the Yarra River and arcades (fancy shopping mall alleys) look like the Charles River and the train station.

But of course Melbourne has a personality of its own. There are alleys with beautiful graffiti art and small but delicious restaurants/cafés. Who knew three rolls of sushi and a bowl of miso soup costs only $7.50? The tram (the hybrid of a bus and subway) is free for the city of Melbourne, and oh yeah, people and cars travel on the other side of the road. But the best part is that everything is walking distance, just how cities are supposed to be.

Orientation is going well. I'm learning a lot about Australia as a country (it's sad that it also has a disturbing history between the indigenous people and settlers), and the students are an interesting bunch. We're from all over the US (although there's one girl from Romania), and we'll disperse to five different Australian universities by Friday. In the meantime, we spend our free time exploring the city together and discussing our goals and aspirations during our time in Australia. I'm looking forward to spending the semester with some as we continue our Aussie adventures!