Internet, Oh Internet…Where Art Thou?

One thing that I never realized was so easily accessible in the USA is internet. If you think about it, you can pretty much log onto a WiFi network at any public place.

WE ARE SPOILED!

In Australia, internet is expensive and you can’t log on wherever or whenever. Some cafes have free WiFi, but very few. Also, there are places called “internet cafes” where you can use public computers, but you have to pay for how long you use the internet.

On campus, you need your Unikey (which is equivalent to your UCINetID) to log on to the computers in the library, but you are only allowed 1 GB at a time. If you use up this allowance, you have to wait until another day for your allowance to renew. Also, the campus computers are usually all occupied.

How in the world do you possibly measure how much internet you use?

Well, I still have not grasped how much internet usage is contained in 1 MB or 1 GB, but I do know that average email and Facebook usage should not exceed the allowance. However, movie downloads and sites that require a long time to load require more data.

From Sunday to Wednesday, I was without my own internet. This lack of internet accessibility was incredibly hard to cope with! I never noticed how much I log on to the internet until I was completely cut off.

I was desperate to find a way to set up internet in my room. I learned that I needed to buy a USB modem from a phone or internet company to put into my computer. I looked at Vodafone and Yes, Optus’s offers for internet, and it was super expensive! I could hardly believe it!

First off, I was completely unaware of how much internet I use and what exactly I would need. Also, all of the internet deals are either pre-paid or paid for monthly. Additionally, your internet data will run until either:

A. You run out of data (MB/GB)
OR
B. 30 days after purchase, even if you don’t use all of your data.

For example, 3 GB from Vodafone costs $99 and 3 GB from Yes, Optus costs $79. I was going to splurge on the $79 Optus deal when a study abroad student from Canada told me that there was a special offer on campus for students. Thankful that I did not fork out 79 bucks, I went in search of the student internet offer. I was very pleased when I came across the Vivid Wireless booth on campus that was offering a 3 GB USB modem for ONLY $19! This was EXACTLY what I needed! The only catch about Vivid Wireless is that it has a small coverage area; however, my room was within the service boundaries! Hooray!

So before you go and spend a load of money on internet with a major phone company, make sure there are not any student offers that are too good to pass up!

Iced Coffee, Timetables, and Accommodation – 22/02/2011

On Tuesday morning, international students were scheduled for another orientation. As Erica and I were walking to campus, we stopped to get a coffee. We decided to stop at a shop called Charlie Lovett. I had heard before leaving the US that Australia has a wonderful coffee culture. I ordered an iced coffee and to my delight it was not only coffee…iced coffee is literally coffee with ice cream! It was absolutely delicious!

Australia’s iced coffee is like a heavenly cross between a frappachino and a milkshake.

I have a whole new outlook on the term “iced coffee” after this experience. However, iced coffee is a bit more expensive than for example, a mocha. But if you are in Sydney, I highly suggest splurging on an iced coffee at least once! They run about $4.50 -$5.00 (comparable to a Venti drink at Starbucks)– Be careful though, you may get addicted! Don’t say I didn’t give you fair warning…

The orientation at the University was designated for picking units of study (classes). All of the study abroad and exchange students met in the Eastern Avenue Lecture Theatre; we were told by the staff of the International Office to introduce ourselves to our neighbor. My neighbor was a girl from Denmark; she was very friendly and she had a wonderful personality. We instantly clicked and made plans to meet up again the next day. I still can’t believe how much diversity there is among the study abroad and exchange students! It is absolutely wonderful!

Eventually, the study abroad students were filtered into smaller, more manageable groups. In these smaller groups we learned how to select our units of study and how to create our timetables (which is your schedule). Timetables are created electronically through the University’s website. I thought it was interesting that the computer generates your timetable for you, instead of the student independently picking classes based on times and what day of the week is preferable. However, you are allowed some opportunities for customization; for example, you can try to block out one whole day, or you can block out two days for five hour time periods. Unfortunately, if the class you want to take is only offered on a day you do not want to have class, you will need to find different units. The whole system seemed kind of backwards to me. At UCI, I look at times and days first; at Sydney, you have to keep inputting different classes and see how they turn out on your timetable.

After learning about scheduling and making my timetable, I went to get my picture taken for my student card. They told me I could pick it up next week in the Student Card Centre in Fisher Library.

Then, Erica and I walked back to her place and I gathered my luggage and caught a taxi to take me to my student housing accommodation. This cab fare was not as bad, it cost $11.30.

When I first brought all of my luggage up the narrow staircase to my assigned room, the furniture was set up in awkward positions, and there was some dusting and cleaning to be done before I could unpack all of my belongings. I walked up the street and found a market where I could buy some cleaning wipes and toilet paper (necessities, of course!). The total for the two items was $5.76. When I arrived back at my room I began cleaning and I re-arranged the furniture for better feng shui and practicality. Then, I unpacked all of my things. I had brought bedding, pillows, pictures and letters from home, which made the room feel more welcoming, comfortable and familiar. (Bringing your own bedding saves you from buying bedding in Australia! – However, if you decide to opt for purchasing bedding while you are in Sydney, you must look for “Manchester” shops or departments, which carry bedding).

BEFORE

AFTER! (Yay!)

After I completed my unpacking, I felt better about the space I would be calling “home” for the next five months in Sydney. Accommodation is expensive in Sydney; I was lucky to be accepted to live in university owned housing. University owned housing has many benefits:

1. It is within walking distance to campus
(no need a car, public transport, or sore feet)
2. It is available during the entire time you will be enrolled in Uni
(more stability)
3. You will be living with other Uni students
(your flat mates = new friends!)

I was able to arrange to have a single room in a terraced house for $168 per week. The basic set-up is 4 rooms and two bathrooms with a shared living area and kitchen - kind of like an apartment. Some students wait until they arrive in Sydney to find accommodation, but I highly recommend applying for university owned housing, or housing that is designated just for students!

First Day on Campus at Sydney Uni!

21/02/2011
*Quick tip: How to write dates in Australia (day/month/year)

I woke up before my alarm went off in the morning on Monday. My body clock had still not fully adjusted to Sydney, Australia time. Since 7:30 a.m. in Sydney is 12:30 in the afternoon in California, I felt like I had slept in way too long. I woke up and got ready for my International Student Orientation. I did not know what to expect, but I was really excited!

Since the day before was super hot and humid, I dressed in shorts and a t-shirt along with my silver sparkly TOMS. However, when I looked out the window of Erica’s apartment, the weather appeared grey and gloomy with a chance of rain; so, I brought a light jacket just in case. We went downstairs to the lobby and asked the help desk where exactly to walk in order to reach the University. The man at the desk gave us a map and drew a path directing us how to get to the campus. He described the Uni as “lovely,” and said if we walked 15 to 20 minutes we couldn’t miss it.

Erica and I began to walk the pathway he marked for us as it began to rain softly. Thankful that I brought my jacket, I tried to shield my day planner from getting wet. However, I noticed that a lot of people walk around in Sydney to get to their destinations and they were wearing the same attire as me; very few people had umbrellas.

We continued to walk for 15 minutes and then I set sights upon exactly what was described as “lovely”.

“Lovely” was an understatement.

In the distance, I could see a tall and magnificently detailed building with a clock and a flag hoisted at the top. The building was framed by a pathway of greenery and stairs that led up to its entrance. I was in awe of the breathtaking view. THIS is exactly why I chose Sydney Uni. I immediately felt honored and privileged to be able to say that I studied at a University so spectacular. It was a castle!

We made our way through the entrance and then followed signs and pathways to the stately Great Hall, where orientation would take place.

The Great Hall was regal looking; the ceilings were arched and adorned with ornately carved wooden angels; the windows displayed beautiful stained glass with incredibly intricate detail. The Great Hall conjured thoughts of the Great Hall in Hogwarts from Harry Potter. The Great Hall at the University of Sydney is recognized as an iconic Victorian Gothic style landmark in Australia. I read in the University Student Union’s magazine that the only time students will ever see the Great Hall is for their graduation ceremony. This fact made me feel even more thankful that I was allowed the opportunity to see inside the majestic Great Hall.

There were 627 study abroad and exchange students in attendance for the International Student Orientation. A majority of the students were from the USA, followed by Canada; however, 39 countries were represented by the group of students. This fact amazed me! I was fascinated by the level of diversity that one room could hold.

We were welcomed by a couple of demonstrations from the Aboriginal Thulli Dreaming Dancers. They were painted with white paint and played the Didjeridu as well as made music with their mouths and their feet. It was very interesting to watch. You could feel the emotion and the passion they channeled into their dancing. Their mission is to inform their audience about Aboriginal culture and to pay respect to their elders and ancestors.

After the performance and some formal introductions, we were released to have morning tea and cake. During this break, I met some girls from New York as well as a guy from Chile. It is fun and exciting to meet people from all over the world that have come to Australia for a common purpose: an education.

After the orientation, I went to a housing orientation where I was given some free toothpaste and I was able to collect my room key. By that time, Erica and I were tired and ready to find some dinner. We decided to eat at another pub; at this pub there were $12 dinner deals, but I opted to split a steak sandwich and fries and enjoy free iced water. This allowed me to eat a filling dinner for only $6. Splitting a meal is one simple way you can save money! At this pub I discovered Tomato Sauce, it is not ketchup as you may suspect, it is better! I definitely recommend it! For a little extra flavor you can mix Tomato Sauce with BBQ sauce ;) mmm mmm good!

Recounting my flight to Australia and my first day in Sydney…

Have you ever felt that your life is just happening? It’s occurring and your body is going through the motions but at the same time you are so consumed with a variety of emotions that you can’t comprehend exactly what is happening, even though it is. That is how I felt at the airport. It was February 18th and I was about to leave my family, my friends, and my homeland (the only land I have ever known) for a dive into a completely new culture for five months. My flight was scheduled to leave LAX at 8:15 p.m. After I checked in (and luckily didn’t have to pay extra for my luggage) I tried to relax before I had to go through security at 7:00. Saying goodbye was the hardest part. Those hugs would be the last time I could physically hold my loved ones for almost half a year. I savored those moments for as long as I could. As I went up the escalator, and my mom snapped a couple last photos, I watched my family stand there and become smaller and smaller and further away.

I made it through security and then proceeded to the waiting lounge. There were probably over 100 seats, and they were all taken. I managed to find a spot on the ground next to a pole and a trashcan. As I tried to compose myself, I kept thinking to myself, “This is a once in a lifetime adventure, I am young and eager and I am going to explore a completely new country, a completely new continent for that matter. This is going to be fun!” As I sat there, I people watched and an Australian Cheer Team caught my attention; they all sat huddled together with a large trophy. Abruptly, they stood up and began singing, “We competed in the USA” to the tune of Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the USA.” They were clad in red, white and blue sweat suits, with a bold embroidered “AUSTRALIA” logo on the back. It was quite entertaining to watch and hear them chanting in their accents to a song that I am familiar with.

After about twenty minutes, a voice came over the loud speaker and announced that they were going to begin boarding the plane to Sydney. All of a sudden there was a mass hubbub of people trying to line up so they could depart LAX for Sydney. I stood in line and waited for them to board the Economy passengers. As I was going to step off of the loading dock to the plane, a man named Lachlan checked my boarding pass and enthusiastically exclaimed “Welcome aboard Ashley, we are excited to have you with us.” I found my seat (38K, a window seat) and sat next to a retired Australian couple that was just passing through LAX to return home to Sydney; they had recently traveled to Ecuador and the Amazon. They were very kind and pleasant people. They suggested that I see the Opera House and go to Bronte Beach.

While everybody was getting settled on the plane, I looked out the window. As we took off, I watched all of the lights, buildings, and roads turn to pinpricks, specks, and lines as thin as thread. The world I have known my entire life, my homeland, would soon be out of sight and I would be across the Pacific Ocean and half way across the world.

The plane (V Australia) was quite comfortable. I was supplied with a pillow, a blanket, headphones, earplugs, and an eyemask. There were so many movies available to watch! I watched “Going the Distance,” “Life As We Know It,” “Due Date,” and parts of “Toy Story 3” and “Knight and Day.” The food was surprisingly tasty and satisfying. I had beef and vegetables with salad and pie for dinner and an egg muffin with russet potatoes, yogurt, and orange juice for breakfast. At first, I was worried about the sixteen hour flight. I have never been on a long flight before, much less an international flight, by myself. However, the flight was super easy and comfortable! I made sure to get up and walk around a couple times during the flight as well. I arrived in Sydney at about 6:20 a.m. on Sunday, February 20th. Flying such an interesting concept when you truly think about it, it is the closest thing to time travel. Essentially, I lost Saturday the 19th. A whole day! That aspect of traveling intrigues me.

As I watched the sun rising over Sydney as the plane was landing, it was truly beautiful. I got off the plane and made my way through customs. I have never been through customs, so when they asked me if I had anything, I said I had “Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Almond Joys”; the security guard looked at me with a slightly puzzled look and laughed a little.

After I was through customs and had retrieved my luggage, I went to the Duty Free shops and bought two converters (10.95 each) so I could plug in my computer to the Australian outlets. Then, I immediately wanted to contact my family to tell them I had arrived safely. I tried to set up my computer to hopefully pick up a WiFi network at the airport, but to my dismay I had no such luck. The airport in Sydney was huge! I was alone, and toting around over 100 pounds of luggage. I sat down and rested for a little bit and then I saw counters for Vodafone and Yes, Optus. I lingered around the Vodafone counter and then went over to look at the Yes, Optus counter. The salespeople at the Optus counter were very friendly and willing to answer all of my questions about how to set up my phone. They recommended the “International Calls 4 Less” plan, which allows you to call the USA for 4 cents a minute and text the USA for 20 cents per message. It was the cheapest plan that they had, so I started out with a $10 SIM card. It was so nice to call home.

Then, I was on my own. Before I left, I had arranged to stay with another study abroad student from UCI upon arrival in Sydney because I would not be able to get the key to my student accommodation until after a housing orientation on Monday. I followed the signs to get a taxi and then when I was waiting in the long and twisty line (equivalent to a line for a ride at Disneyland) I realized one of the wheels on my big suitcase had broken off! At that point, I did not want to lose my spot in line so I dragged it through the line and it made a loud screeching sound from metal grinding against concrete. It was hot and humid and I was exhausted from barely sleeping on the plane and from dragging my suitcases and carry-on baggage. I eventually made it to the front of the line and caught a taxi. It was nice to relax in the air-conditioned car as I was driven to my friend’s apartment. The way that drivers sit on the opposite side of the vehicle and drive on the opposite side of the road was interesting to see from the back seat of a cab. The cab fare was quite expensive. It cost me $31.70 to get from the airport to Quay Street. Luckily, in Australia the norm is not to tip, so that is one way you can save a couple dollars every time you pay for a service or eat at a restaurant.

The other study abroad student, Erica, arranged to live at Urban Nest. It is a very modern and chic place to live with bright colors and free internet on Mac computers downstairs in the lobby. As soon as I got up to Erica’s room, I was relieved when she offered to let me use the shower. Relaxed and refreshed, we decided to explore.

We walked through the city and I took pictures of pretty much everything I saw. I was excited and amused by the entirely new scenery. We walked to Darling Harbour and decided to visit the Sydney Aquarium. At the Aquarium you can buy the “Unlimited Adventure Pass” for unlimited entry into the Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Wildlife World, The Sydney Tower, and Oceanworld Manly through June 30th for $60. I thought this was a great deal considering a one day entry fee to the aquarium is $35.

The aquarium was great! I saw sharks, turtles, octopi, sting rays, seahorses, jelly fish, dugongs, and penguins.

They even have a Shark Hatchery where you can touch the shark eggs! It was amazing. I also talked to a couple of the people that worked at the aquarium and they attend Sydney Uni as well! When I explained that I was from California and that it was my first day in Sydney, they were thrilled and very welcoming. After the aquarium, Erica and I walked back to her place and I took a nap because the jet lag was finally hitting me!

After my nap, we walked to a pub and had pizza. Pubs usually have dinner specials; however the food is still expensive. In Sydney, water bottles are really expensive as well! In the vending machines they are $4.00 and at the aquarium they were $3.80. However, one trick I have found out: if you go to the pubs, you can order a refreshing iced water with lemon for FREE! It is important to stay hydrated, especially since it is so hot in Sydney :)

After pizzas at the pub, we went to sleep to wake up early for Orientation at the University. It was definitely an eventful first day in Sydney, Australia and I was stoked to see the campus where I would be studying for the semester!