AUSSIES ARE COMING TO A UC NEAR YOU!

As study abroad students, the faculty at the University of Sydney encouraged us to promote studying abroad to the Australian students. Since it is near the end of the semester, the Australian students that opted to study abroad are making preparations to depart for their destinations. The international student office sent out an email the study abroad and exchange students to ask for help at an Aussie pre-departure question and answer session. We would have the opportunity to talk to the Australian students and answer their questions about our home country and University. None of the Australian students are confirmed to attend UCI in the fall (bummer!), but there are students heading to UCLA, UCB, UCSB, UCSD, UCSC, and UCD. Almost every UC!! I was surprised that there weren’t any volunteers to speak to the Australian students from any of the UC host institutions. The study abroad coordinators sent me an email asking if I would come to answer general questions about the UC system and California even though nobody will be going to UCI. I was thrilled and excited because I love helping other students. I feel that it is the least I can do, considering that every Australian I have come into contact with has been so genuinely helpful when I have had questions!

After afternoon tea, the study abroad volunteers and prospective Australian study abroad students were directed to specific rooms for each country. Most of the countries were assigned to small classrooms; however, all of the students that are going to the US were sent to a large lecture theater! There are Aussies heading to Universities all over the US. I had a group of about 10 students that will being heading to different UC’s. It was so fun answering their questions about transportation, accommodation, the quarter system, and places to try and visit in California. It is definitely a mind-opening experience to answer questions about the everyday aspects of my life in America, considering that I think of these aspects as the “norm.” It was really fun to discuss attending a UC with people who have never been to the United States; their faces reflected their interest and their wonderment about the differences I find between Sydney Uni and attending UCI.

In retrospect, I know that I was exactly the same way when I would talk about Australia before I came. All of the information that seems normal or obvious to a native is a gold mine of useful tips about a different culture to the person that is about to go see for themselves. One of the students actually thought that I was an Australian returnee, and asked how I had such a prominent American accent after I returned from just one semester abroad in the States! I replied, “I am American!” Everybody kind of laughed, and then said that they had figured. However, I thought that it was an honor to be considered an Australian peer. I do not think I will ever get used to the fact that people think I have an accent. I do not think that I have an accent, I am just American; YOU have an accent, you are Australian. However, the opinion is reciprocal.

Overall, the question and answer session was a success. The hour flew by so fast! I had a lot of fun meeting Aussies that are looking forward to experiencing studying abroad in the US. My study abroad experience in their home country has been so rewarding. I wish them the best of luck in their academic endeavors and hope that they will have an enjoyable and truly fulfilling experience in the US.

Now, my goal is to recruit an Aussie to come to UCI…
:D

Study Vacation and Marking Conversions

In the land of Aussie institutions they have the most marvelous invention…It is called a study vacation, or “STU VAC” for short. Basically, it is a week after the last week of classes that enables students to study before exams commence. Why in the world doesn’t UCI have a student vacation? I think that the concept is brilliant, and it allows the students that have more than one exam to spend time to thoroughly prepare. Exams take place over a two week period, and the schedule and seating charts are released on the Uni website in May.

However, the fact that I just had my last week of classes is amazing to me! I clearly remember my first week. Where has the time gone? Week 13 has come and gone and now it is time to study full force for my Legal Profession exam (which is worth 100% of my final mark for the course…). I really enjoyed all of my classes and I actually miss attending them. Three out of my four courses do not have a final exam during the exam period; instead, I had in-class tests and papers due to account for my final mark. It is quite nice only having to prepare for one exam! Especially because my exam is about the Australian legal profession, which is completely different than the US legal system.

In regards to grading at the University of Sydney, they have a different grading scale than UC. First of all, grades are called “marks.” Secondly, the University marks are out of a 100 point scale, but they do not use letter grades such as A, B, C, etc. Sydney Uni marks are in categories including High Distinction (HD), Distinction (D), Credit (CR), Pass (P), and Fail (F). For the University of Sydney, the conversion to UC grades is generally as follows…

***The first number is the points/percentage from Sydney Uni
Next, is the Australia mark
Last, is the UC grade

>85 = HD = A+
80-84 = D = A
75-79 = D = A-
70-74 = CR = B+
65-69 = CR = B
60-64 = P = B-
55-59 = P = C+
50-54 = P = C
45-49 = F = C-
40-44 = F = D
<40 = F = F
So do not fret if you receive a 75! That is an A- at UC! It is often difficult to receive a HD. A majority of the class receives a CR. I have used this chart throughout the semester to convert my marks to the UC grades that will appear on my transcript.

VIVID Sydney: "A Festival of Lights, Music, and Ideas"

For two weeks, Sydney is hosting the third annual VIVID Sydney light festival at Circular Quay and around The Rocks. The VIVID festival consists of over 40 light installations that attract thousands of families, street performers, and people with tripods to capture and experience the magnificent energy and lights that illuminate Sydney starting at 6 p.m. VIVID Sydney is the largest festival of light in the southern hemisphere and its goal is to promote creativity, celebrate ingenuity and innovation, and most of all, to inspire! Some of the installations are interactive such as “painting” the side of the Museum of Contemporary Art or clapping to make “firefly” lights in the trees light up.

However, one of the main attractions is watching the sails of the Opera House light up with projections that fit perfectly over the structure. Some of the projections are very geometric and conjured up thoughts within me of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” album art.

The VIVID festival was so much fun to walk around that I went two nights to try and see everything. The first night I went, there was a street performer that managed to swallow a whole balloon (the long kind that are used to make balloon animals)! Let’s just say, that he did not manage to take it out again even after the crowd asked him to…

Even the Aboriginals that play the didgeridoo and dance at Circular Quay participated in the festival by having neon lights project on their performances.

My personal favorite aspect of the festival was watching the light show that was projected onto the Customs House. It was simply captivating, and I could not take my eyes off of the show! The Customs House projections reminded me of “It’s a Small World” at Disneyland around Christmas-time, when there are moving projections and music that cover the building. The projections did different special effects that looked like the Customs House was filling up with water or sand or that the whole building was inhaling and exhaling by rocking back and forth. I am amazed at the time and endless calculations that the creators must have spent making the projections align perfectly with the ends of the building and every column, step, and even the clock that is part of the building’s architecture!

In front of the Customs House was an ice sculpture polar bear that was left all day and night to represent the melting of glaciers and global warming. The polar bear demonstration was provided by WWF. The first time I saw the polar bear it looked like a polar bear. The second time I saw the sculpture, after only two days, the face had completely melted to show a skeleton that was underneath.

I am so happy that I was able to experience the VIVID Sydney festival. The best part was the atmosphere and seeing the famous buildings and structures that I have become accustomed to in a whole new light…literally! It was also an added bonus that the festival is FREE; all you have to do is walk around Circular Quay and The Rocks and let your mind and imagination absorb the positive energy!

The Ultimate IMAX Experience

Here is a fun fact: Sydney is home to the largest IMAX screen in the world! On a rainy day, a movie is always a nice way to get out of the house and do something fun, yet stay dry while you are in the theater. In the handy Sydney City Guide I picked up at the airport, there was a voucher for 20% off a showing at the IMAX Theater in Darling Harbour. Because there is only one screen, there are a limited number of showings per day and only a few movies available to watch. When I went, there were two options for the day: Hubble 3-D and Born To Be Wild. I decided on Born To Be Wild, which features elephants and orangutans and is narrated by none other than Morgan Freeman. I went to the IMAX Theater at 10:00 am and the next showing of Born To Be Wild was not until 2:15 pm! However, I was excited about being able to experience the largest IMAX screen in the world and to see the adorable elephants and orangutans in 3-D.

Of course, to see a movie in an Australia theater is quite expensive compared to the movie prices in the US. An IMAX 3-D movie is even more pricey! However, I had the 20% off voucher and they gave me a student discount after showing my ID card! I ended up paying $13.60, but that is much better than the standard price of $19.50. The movie itself was only 50 minutes long. However, full length features are even more expensive: an adult ticket costs $28.50.

One little random fact about me is that I have a little obsession with elephants. They represent wisdom, they bring good luck, and they are so cute! I was actually gifted a sponsorship of an orphaned elephant in Nairobi, Kenya by my boyfriend and his family. The sponsorship is done through the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. With a one-time donation of $50 you can foster an orphaned elephant of your choice and receive monthly updates about the elephant’s progress and rehabilitation in order to successfully transition back into the wild. You also receive a wonderful watercolor painted by Angela Sheldrick each month. You can find more information about the program here. It is a very worthy cause!

To my pleasant surprise, the elephants that were featured in the Born To Be Wild movie were from the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust! I was so excited, I could barely contain myself. I was able to watch what the program does and see the elephants that I am helping with my sponsorship! It is truly amazing and touching how these majestic creatures form close bonds with the keepers and the other orphaned elephants. The orangutan program was also very heartwarming and fun to watch. However, I favor the elephants…

The movie was fantastic, I did not want it to end! I had a wonderful time and the 3-D experience was better than any 3-D movie I have ever watched! The IMAX Theater in Darling Harbour is worth a visit. Also, if you are an elephant, orangutan or animal lover, go to see Born To Be Wild! Plus, you have to admit that Morgan Freeman has the best narrating voice ever...

Check out the trailer for Born To Be Wild:

Thai! Thai! Thai!

One of the most common foods that you will find around Sydney is Thai noodles and curries. I had never experienced Thai food before I came to Sydney and now I have become addicted! I crave Thai food all the time! It is the perfect blend of noodles, vegetables, and chicken or beef (rice too, if you order curry). There are many different places you can go to get Thai and the prices range from $5-15 AUD. On Glebe Point Road there is a place that is open only for dinner; they have noodles and curry options and everything is $5! The name of it is simple and to the point: “Thai $5.” It is definitely not a fancy place, but sometimes the “whole in the wall” places are the best! Also, in Newtown, many Thai restaurants have $6.50 lunch specials. If you want to sit down and enjoy a nice Thai meal in a fancier restaurant, the prices can range from $10-$15. However, I would rather have the $5 Thai, when it tastes exactly the same for half or a third of the price! Many of Thai places offer eat-in or take away. Overall, I definitely recommend experiencing the Thai noodles and curries that Sydney has to offer. You may discover a new favorite dish!

“Sweet Dreams are Made of Teas” – @ T2

When you are in Sydney you definitely need to take a stroll through the Queen Victoria Building! (It is called QVB for short.) QVB is a huge shopping mall that has a vast variety of shops, boutiques, and restaurants. You could compare it to your favorite shopping mall combined with South Coast Plaza, because it has some of the really expensive shops as well. You can browse the store directory here.

One day as I was walking through, I came across a little shop called T2. It was very busy and it had a wonderful aroma as you walk by which caught my attention. It is a tea shop that features every possible kind of tea that you could imagine! From white, green, and black teas to herbal, organic, and honeybush flavors, you are bound to find a tea just right for you. In the shop, there are little cups spread out on the tables that are full of the herbs labeled with the type of tea they make. When you look into the cups you will find flowers, herbs, dried fruit, and leaves. Trying to smell all of the different teas is like trying to find a perfume you like. T2 also has samples! They have samples of both hot teas and cold teas; I opted to try the Strawberries and Cream iced tea. It was absolutely delightful!

T2 also has a large selection of teapots and cups that you can purchase. Some of them are very intricate and they are totally adorable! Just looking at them makes you want to start a teapot collection (at least it gave me that urge). I have noticed that since I have been in Sydney I have grown quite fond of tea. After all, the International Student Orientation hosted a morning tea!

All in all, I highly recommend a visit to the QVB. If you go, make sure to take some time to smell the teas that are available at T2!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle at a Whole New Level!

Since I have been in Australia, I have noticed that Australians live a much more conservative lifestyle, conservative in respect to energy use and waste management. For example, when you use the toilet, you do not just simply flush, instead you have two options, to half flush or fully flush (you can probably guess which is used for what).

Furthermore, when I was looking for the laundry machine, I only found a washer, no dryer. When I asked my Australian flatmate about drying clothes, he said that you hang them to dry. I asked if there were dryers and he said, “Dryers are such a waste of energy and they ruin your clothes.” He seemed so shocked that I would even ask such a question. Who needs a dryer anyway? Instead, in the backyard is a rotating hanger that looks like a canopy without the fabric for shade. However, I did find out that the Darlington House next to the terraced houses where I live has dryers. Nevertheless, there are only two in the whole building and they are not on every floor. Laundry is expensive, each washing and drying cycle costs $2.00.

When you go to restaurants in Sydney they will ask “Eat in or take away?” If you opt for take away, you won’t be given your food in a Styrofoam box, instead, they give you microwave safe plastic containers that resemble Glad-ware. You can wash them and re-use them if you have leftovers or if you make lunch and take it to school. Very environmentally friendly and convenient!

Also, public transport is common and used regularly by individuals from every walk of life: from students to the elderly, businessmen and women on their way to work, or mom’s and kids on their way home from the grocery store. Public transportation does not have a negative stigma and it is employed by everyone and is very easy to use! You can take a train or a bus to pretty much any destination!

Additionally, plastic bags are almost obsolete. Many people regularly bring their canvas shopping bags and many stores charge 5 to 20 cents per bag to reduce waste! I have also noticed that there is not a recycling place where you can take your cans and bottles to get your CRV back, at least not in Sydney. Instead, people recycle and separate their cans and bottles and put them in the designated bin, just for the sake of recycling. They do not need a motivational mechanism to recycle; instead, it is just an inherent and automatic civic duty. There are bins throughout the city that are designated for trash, bottles, and cans.

Overall, I am impressed by the environmental awareness that I have witnessed while I have been living in Sydney. Maybe the US should consider utilizing some of the environmentally friendly strategies that Australia employs!

UC to University of Sydney

I am so thrilled to receive emails from prospective EAP Australia students! I love to answer all of your questions! Feel free to email me at afoote@uci.edu if you have any questions, comments, or requests about Australia, Sydney, housing, or studying abroad in general!

Some of the most frequently asked questions I have received are about the differences between UC and the University of Sydney. I will try to address some of the most commonly asked questions.

The one main difference I have noticed is that there is not as much instruction time in lectures. For example, a majority of my classes have only one lecture for two hours per week! Then they have tutorials, which are the equivalent of discussions, for an hour or two hours per week. I have also found that every lecture class has a five to ten minute break in the middle (even if it is only two hours long!). In one of my classes, the professor said that the human mind can only focus intently on new material for twelve minutes, then your mind shuts down and you can be listening but not comprehending any of the information. So, in order to prevent mindless listening, he would bring up a discussion topic for everybody to talk about with their neighbor, literally every twelve minutes! I thought this was genius, and I was always attentive and able to comprehend the new information presented in the lecture (I also met people I never would have talked to before).

Also, many of the classes require a lot of dedication outside of class because there is not as much in-class time. Many classes require a lot of outside reading, and papers and assignments are not explained as thoroughly as you may be accustomed to. In the course of my studies, I have found that the University of Sydney often lets you take your own perspective in your essays and they do not necessarily ask for one concrete answer. For example, in my Religious Studies “History of God” class, I was assigned to define the word “God” in 500 words or less using at least four different sources. At first this seemed like a nearly impossible task, as the word “God” is probably one of the topics that has the most extensive amount of literature, research, and debate attributed to it. I have been challenged to ponder the essay questions and come up with my own style and point of view with the only constraint being a word limit. I think this is exhilarating and it allows for me to expand my intellectual horizons and think about concepts in a different way than I am used to.

Also, another question I have been asked is if it is easy to meet Australians. I think it is really easy to meet people, however, I find it easier to meet other international students because you go through orientations with them when you arrive and there are a lot of international student events and clubs. However, you can meet Australians in your classes and on campus! Everybody is welcoming and easy to talk to and willing to help! Once you meet people, you will get invited to more events and outings. Everybody is really friendly! I have met Australians through other people and even though a majority of the Australians live off campus, there are still quite a few Aussies that live in the university housing. For example, I have a friend from Denmark that lives next door and she lives with two Australian girls. They usually have their Aussie friends over and I have met them when I am next door at her place. I have run into them on campus and at the grocery store, etc. and they remember me and always say hello! I have also met Aussies in my tutorials on campus. Everybody is really friendly, you just have to put yourself out there and meet people. It sounds intimidating, but it is really easy!

I hope this post has been helpful in easing your fears about transitioning to a University in a whole new country. However, if you have any other questions, I am more than willing to help! Studying abroad is an exciting adventure and it will definitely be a life-changing experience!

Explore!
Meet new friends!
Try something you never imagined yourself trying!
And most of all...
Take advantage of your time abroad and make every second count!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

When I was packing for my study abroad experience in Australia, I did not know I would need to pack my rain boots! April was filled with some of the craziest rainstorms I have ever experienced! I bought an umbrella and the wind was blowing so hard that it blew it completely inside out.

However, as May has arrived (the time has gone by so quickly!) the weather has become sunnier and more enjoyable again. It is useful to note that Australia refers to temperatures using Celsius instead of Fahrenheit. When people say, “It is about 15 degrees outside” it means that it is actually 59 degrees Fahrenheit. I was having a hard time figuring out the Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion, so I found a website to help me convert the degrees so I have a better idea of the temperature. I have included it here for your conversion needs! Now you can watch the Sydney weather on the news and know what they are talking about! :) I hope you find it as helpful as I do.

Where in the World is EAP?

About a month ago, I got an email about an idea to make a video with all of the EAP students around the world. The video would entail EAP students dancing in their study abroad country in front of a monument or landmark. This idea was inspired by the “Where the Hell is Matt?” video on YouTube.
After I watched the YouTube video I was immediately thrilled and motivated to participate! What a wonderful way to promote studying abroad in a fun way! I volunteered to spearhead the video production in Sydney. I decided to do the video at Circular Quay in front of the Opera House. After an interesting (and a tad bit embarrassing) filming experience…people walking by stopped to watch and take pictures…I sent my portion of the video to the project and it is currently being edited together with all of the other EAP students around the world. I am really looking forward to the result!

I personally think the “Where the Hell is Matt?” video is brilliant, and it motivates me to continue traveling the world after my study abroad experience in Australia. I may even try to make my own version of the video...who knows? I have the travel bug now, I don’t want to stop!

Keep a look out for an EAP promotional dancing video coming to a UC campus near you! (I am wearing a UCEAP shirt in front of the Opera House!) I am so excited to see the finished result and look forward to the response from students at their home University campuses. I hope it will inspire other students to study abroad and embark on their own adventure in a whole new country and culture. After all, the world is your oyster!

Aussie Slang

There is a lot of slang that I have become used to since I have been in Australia. Also, there is some pronunciation that you may want to be aware of before you come so you don’t get blank or awkward looks. I have made a list of some of the most common and regularly used terms and phrases in Australia. Although some are interchangeable in the US, such as “toilet” for “bathroom/restroom,” I have only heard Americans use the term bathroom since I have been here...Australians say toilet. I have made a list of popular slang and terms and tried to provide a sentence for their meaning in context.

1. Toilet – bathroom/restroom (Excuse me, do you know where the nearest toilet is?) Signs often say “Toilets” in public places instead of “Restrooms.”
2. Heaps – lots of (I have heaps of assignments to finish before Friday.)
3. Holiday – vacation (Where did you travel to on holiday?)
4. Mark – a grade, such as on an assignment/test (A majority of the class received fairly high marks.)
5. Tutorial or “tute” – a class designated for discussion (You must attend your tutorial to get participation credit. OR You are late, this tute started an hour ago.)
6. Faculty – a school at the University (I am in the Faculty of Social Sciences.)
7. Queue – line (Where does the queue start? OR The queue to buy coffee was so long today!)
8. Voucher – coupon (I have a voucher for a free cup of coffee at Gloria Jean’s!)
9. Cheers – thank you (Cheers, mate)
10. Manchester – sheets/bedding (I have to go to the Manchester shop.)
11. Bangers – as in “bangers and mash.” A dish with sausages and mashed potatoes. (I ordered bangers and mash for dinner.)
12. Rubbish – trash (Make sure to collect all of your rubbish and put it in the bins.)
13. Mate – friend (Hi mate! OR Thanks, mate!)
14. OZ – Australia (A lot of tourists come to OZ on holiday.)
15. Flat/flatmate – A place where you live such as an apartment. A flatmate is a roommate. (My flatmates are very diverse and interesting people.)
16. Bottle shop – liquor store (The bottle shop is closed.)
17. Goon – boxes of cheap wine (Don’t drink too much goon!)
18. Brekkie – breakfast (I need to make some brekkie before I start my long day of classes and studying.)
19. Thongs – flip-flops (Make sure you don’t wear thongs in the rain!)
20. No worries – no problem/you’re welcome (“Thank you so much for your help!” “No worries.”) I have not heard an Australian say “you’re welcome” since I have been in Sydney, instead they say “no worries” in a very laid back way.
21. A bit – a short amount of time (I will meet you out front in a bit.)
22. Dodgy – sketchy/not the safest (Don’t walk down that dodgy street at night alone!)
23. Aussie, pronounced “Ozzie” – an Australian (Have you met many Aussies since you have been in Sydney?)
24. Give it a go – Give it a try (Give surfing a go!)
25. Quay, pronounced “key” – (Can you take me to Circular Quay?)
26. Melbourne, pronounced “Melbin” – (You should try to visit Melbourne while you are in Australia!)

Those are all of the terms I can think of at the moment! I hope this will serve as a useful guide when you are in Australia!

Starbucks is for tourists!

For those of you that enjoy your Venti upside down caramel macchiato with 2 pumps of vanilla syrup and extra whip cream at the on campus Starbucks at your home university…you will be in for a shocking alternative when you go in search of fulfilling your caffeine addiction at the on campus coffee shops at the University of Sydney. The coffee shops at the University only have a limited selection of choices and only two sizes: small and large. The large size is about the size of a Tall Starbucks beverage! When I first went to get a coffee on campus, I was shocked how small the large size was because I usually opt for the Grande or Venti at Starbucks. I am also accustomed to getting a white chocolate mocha and when I asked the barista if they made white chocolate mochas she looked at me with a blank expression and said “Honey, you can have a flat white or a mocha.” Then she asked me to repeat what I was asking for and she said she had never heard of a white chocolate mocha! Disappointed, but willing to try something new, I decided to get the mocha, which cost $3.80 for the large (Including the Access Card discount)!

Australia has a huge coffee culture and they take great pride in making their coffee “the right way.” Every cup of coffee is made with an espresso machine and freshly ground coffee as well as steamed milk and chocolate powder on top (if you are getting a mocha). At first, I was not satisfied, but I have now grown quite fond of the Australian coffee choices.

When I was at Circular Quay I saw a Starbucks on Pitt Street and I was super excited! Behold –Starbucks!…the place where I can get my beloved white chocolate mocha! I ordered a Grande and was actually quite dissatisfied. The coffee did not even seem like coffee to me anymore, it tasted like hot milk with no coffee. Since then, I have noticed that Starbucks in Australia is only located in the “touristy” areas of Sydney, such as Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, near Hyde Park, and on George Street.

However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Gloria Jean’s in Australia has a white chocolate mocha that is simply glorious. I only went to Gloria Jean’s because Cole’s was giving away vouchers for “Buy one regular coffee and get the 2nd for $1.00.” I went with a friend for a coffee date and we split the cost. At Gloria Jean’s you have access to your own caramel sauce, chocolate powder, and sprinkles (Beware – you may go overboard). I have noticed that in Australia a majority of people eat the foam of their coffees with a little spoon before putting on the lid to drink it. I still want to try a Tim Tam flavored drink, which is an Australian signature. (Tim Tams are chocolate biscuits that are exclusive to Australia- you should definitely try them!) I suggest buying Tim Tams at Cole’s when they are on sale…usually two packages for $4.00 or if it is a really good sale then three packages for $5.00!

If you are a frequent coffee connoisseur, don’t forget to ask for a coffee card that will get you a free coffee after so many purchases! I have a coffee card for on campus and Gloria Jean’s! All in all, I hate to say that Starbucks may never be the same to me again after experiencing Australia’s coffee culture.

I did enjoy this quote at Starbucks:

Officeworks - For all of your school supply needs!

When you are school supply shopping, Officeworks is the place to go! They are the equivalent of Staples or OfficeMax. I have seen them throughout the city, but if you are at the University of Sydney, there is an Officeworks on Parramatta Road right across from the Uni. You can take the footbridge across from the Pharmacy Building and walk about 5 minutes up the street and you will see the big blue building. They are very reasonably priced and have everything you will need for school! Just so you know…they are cheaper than the University school supplies on campus. I hope this is helpful for when you need extra pens, highlighters, notebooks, or poster board to work on a project. They are open until 9 pm Monday –Friday for all of your late night school supply shopping needs! (They close earlier on Saturday and Sunday) However, make sure to bring your own reusable bag to carry your items home because they charge 20 cents per plastic bag!

Behold...The REAL Black Swan

One evening when I was walking past the pond in Victoria Park (which is in front of the entrance of the University of Sydney) I noticed two black swans! It was truly a rare and magical sight! (Of course, I could not help but think of the Natalie Portman film, Black Swan as well) They were so elegant and mystical looking with their long necks. Whenever one moved around the pond, the other one closely followed suit. I was so disappointed that I did not have my camera on me!

That evening I made a seemingly obvious note to self:

Always, always, always have a camera! There might be things that you see that you may not have the chance to see again.

However, I was fortunate to find the black swans in the pond again one afternoon so I snapped a few shots. At one point, they came very close to me. It was wonderful to see the luscious black feathers and the bright red beak up close.

Black swans can be found throughout Australia and once they pair, they are paired for life. I really enjoyed reading about the black swans on the Australian Museum website. You can read more about them here.
When you come to Australia, I hope you have the opportunity to cast an eye upon these beautiful creatures!

Become a Whiz at Public Transport!

As a study abroad student, you are most likely going to have two options for getting around: walking and public transport. Luckily, in Sydney, many people use public transport on a daily basis. I feel like everybody in Southern California has become so accustomed to having their own car that anything about public transport or walking more than ten minutes is foreign to them (I was included in this generalization). However, after being in Sydney I have been walking as long as 20 minutes to get to one place, such as the grocery store, and I walk all the way back carrying my groceries! At first, this was a difficult adjustment for me, but now I have become adapted to walking to where I need to go. However, if you need to get to a place that is further away, public transport is a nice option.

The Sydney bus and train system is very easy to figure out and utilize. The first time I used the bus was when I went to Coogee Beach, however, I just bought a one-time use return ticket for $4.20.

I have now learned that with concession you can buy a Travel10 bus pass for ten rides for only $8.00! This bus pass has been such a wonderful investment and I always have one in my wallet, just in case I need to catch a bus in a hurry or for a spur of the moment adventure. I really like the bus system and prefer riding the bus over the train, but if you are on a really long trek…the train can be useful. For example, for my photography class I had to pick up my camera from Campbelltown, and Campbelltown is about an hour and a half train ride away from Sydney. In this case, the train was a more practical choice for my transportation.

How do you navigate the bus and train system? How do you know what times the bus comes or which bus to get on? These are all the questions I was asking when I first started using public transportation in Sydney. First of all, you can view the bus schedule at any bus stop. It will have the bus number and the arrival times. I have found a useful resource called “131500 Trip Planner” online. Check it out here. You simply type in where you want to go and it tells you the fastest way to get there by bus or train or a combination of both. Also, at home I consistently use Mapquest. The Australia equivalent of Mapquest is Whereis. I have also found this website helpful to get a map view of where things are.

I hope this post is helpful in easing your fears about using public transport in Sydney. Also, once you get used to it, it is a wonderful resource! You will open up so many possibilities and be able to go pretty much anywhere!

The Art Gallery of NSW

I found the Art Gallery of NSW in a Sydney City Guide that I picked up from the Sydney Airport when I arrived. Entrance to the museum is free and they have a large selection of paintings, artifacts, student artwork and Aboriginal artwork. The Art Gallery of NSW is within walking distance of Hyde Park and St. Mary’s Cathedral. I was excited to explore the gallery because I love seeing artwork and new inspirational pieces. I really liked the student artwork exhibit. Everything was so refreshing and unique. Each piece had its own flair and it exuded originality and personality. I took so many pictures! I wanted to capture everything. Here are some of my favorites…

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The Aboriginal artwork section was very interesting as well. I started to take a picture of a large sculpture and a security guard came running towards me yelling “Hey! Hey! No pictures allowed!” By the time he got over to me, I had already snapped two shots. I guess there was a little tiny sign of a camera and a bar through it delineating “No Pictures” of the Aboriginal artwork, but I did not see it. For my defense, it was a little tiny sign! (About the size of a 4x6 inch photo) Here are the forbidden Aboriginal photographs…

There was also a photography exhibit, but this was the one area that I was disappointed…especially since I have been researching photographers and black and white photography for the photography class I am taking.

The outside of the Art Gallery has beautiful columns and intricate details. Similar to the Victorian Gothic architecture of St. Mary’s Cathedral and the University of Sydney. I absolutely love the architecture!

All in all, I really enjoyed my visit to the Art Gallery of NSW. It is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon, without having to pay for anything! It was even a bit scandalous with my illegal Aboriginal photo mishap.

Here is a picture I took on my way to the Art Gallery on a random light post… I liked the irony…