I haven't been keeping up with my posts like I should be, so sorry about that. This post will be a recap of the past two
weeks.


First off I went to Broome last weekend, and was able to see an entire different side of Australia. Yes, I know you're probably
sitting there thinking "it's an island how can a beach be different?". Well, trust me when I say this, it IS different. Here at Bond Uni it's more prim and proper and city like, where as Broome it is a much more relaxed environment. It is very populated with backpackers (why, I don't know). The town was very small and rural, not having a lot to it. I did get a chance to step foot in the Indian Ocean so I'm able to check that off my bucket list. Also, I was able to the staircase to the moon. On our way to Broome we had a layover in Perth where we went to Kings Park and Botanic Gardens In the park is their State War Memorial to honor all the fallen soldiers that have served for Australia. I'm a little bit of a history nerd so I found this
interesting.


The hostel we stayed at was very easy going and almost camp setting like. I'm a country girl so sleeping on a flimsy mattress on an uneven bunk bed with three bunk beds in a room, wasn't a big deal. We met a bunch of people from Canada, different parts of Australia, Korea, Italy, and many other places. Once again I was referred to as "Texas" instead of Alyssa by them all. It's near to have people be just as curious about my culture as I am about theirs. It has made me aware of all the different "visual images" we have for every where in the world. For instance, before I came to Australia I thought kangaroos were gonna be hopping all over the campus, WRONG. Also how a lot of people ask me if I ride a horse to class instead of a car, that's gonna be a negative. All in all, Broome was nice to visit to see a different side of Australia that people don't know of.

 

After getting back from Broome I had to get back in the routine of school, which was a bummer. Week three went by in the blink of an eye, and I have been having my nose in my books. My first mid term is next Monday in my Marketing Research and Analysis class. Normally I don't freak out much over tests but considering the fact that it counts for 35% of my grade AND I don't know how he tests, yeah freak out mode reached. I also have a 2000 word case study due next week as well, where I am then greeted by the rest of my mid terms.



Now when you study abroad you first feel like woah hey this is awesome it's like vacation. No dirt roads, tumbleweeds, parents, just you and the ocean..for the time being. After my second week reality hit that I was actually IN Australia. By the end of the third week, well reality hit that I was IN school as well. People usually don't believe a person when they say studying abroad is very, I guess you could say, "roller coastery". It's definitely a POSITIVE growing experience. This past week I got home sick, which of course is normal, but it's different when you're on the other side of the world. With Lubbock I can just be like oh I will see my parents in two weeks for fall break, but hereI have to wait till after Christmas. This trip is allowing me to see that I can stand on my own and have the strength to do so.



With the case study I am having to write, it allowed me to figure out the industry I want to work in after I graduate. I want to do youth marketing for a study abroad program, and work with schools directly. The world is growing and from my experience, study abroad is a chance of a lifetime, so I want to help provide that to others.

I have never seen so many college hosted parties than I have here in Australia. Bond Uni is very big about bringing everyone together & allowing you to meet everyone. It is also strange to me that there is a bar located on the campus as well where a bunch of students go on the weekends.

On Friday it was club sign up day at the Uni, where there was tons of food and free stuff. I signed up for the Public Speaking Club, Marketing Club, and the Volunteer Group Program. I think these clubs will keep me busy throughout the semester, and enable me to meet people/build my resume. At the sign up place they also had a booth where you could get dunked by your friends, and yup I definitely underestimated my friends' throwing abilities.

Something that I want to do here is talk with the CEO of a big marketing company, and shadow a person. Back in the states it is very difficult to plan office visits; where as here you can pop in with two cups of coffee and have a chat whenever. By interviewing the CEO I will learn first hand of the hardships and success a business goes through. It will also allow me to network and put my name out in the world. As far as shadowing I think it will be quite an experience to see the daily work of a marketer in Australia. The business world may appear to be the same, but in reality every country/city/state is run differently. The Australians are big about having a background to their story, and starting from the roots up.

This next weekend I am going to Broome, WA (Western Australia-not Washington ;)) with a friend that I met through Globalinks. I am excited to see what the other side of Australia has to offer, and just how different the scenery is. I also booked a trip to Alice Springs where a bunch of friends and I will go on a safari and sleep under the stars. Here's to the adventure of a lifetime!

My first day of class was Monday and boy was it hectic. First off I went to the wrong building because I assumed that my business classes would be in the business college (here its called the Faculty of Business), yeah I was wrong. Instead there is a giant building dedicated to lecture classrooms, seminar classrooms, tutorial classrooms, and theatres.

Second off I never figured out how to log onto my email thus I missed the multiple announcements that my 8 AM class was cancelled..WHOOPS! I ended up only having one class for the day which was International Marketing. My professor has been teaching here since 2001, so I think it's safe to say that he knows his stuff. The class so far seems very interesting, and although it is a two hour class, the professor makes it so that you're hooked.

In Australia it is very independent learning, so it is highly recommended that whenever class is, your butt better be there and you have read the assigned chapters. My classes are set up where I have two seminars a week for some of my classes, and then a lecture and tutorial for my others. the tutorial is where you have a few people from your lecture in a class together for a better one on one learning. Bond Uni has the lowest student to teacher ratio in Australia. The course outline is different as well. For instance, back at Texas Tech you would have about four tests and a final, where as here you have a midterm, final, and a presentation. AKA I am going to be studying my butt off.

The courses that I am taking at Bond Uni are Brand and Category Management, Consumer and Buyer Behavior, International Marketing, and Fundamentals of Finance.

Something that I learned from talking with a gal that I met in my IM class was that in Australia they don't hire young people. She was telling me that she is 19 and graduates in December, but is already having a tough time with the job market. It's weird to think that in the States you can get a job anywhere with a degree regardless of a person's age.

So I figured I would split the Bridging Cultures Program and Orientation week into two seperate posts since I am so far behind. We got to Bond Uni Monday September 2nd. I am living in Block A (or building 11) I have my own room but share facilities with others on my floor. I have met a BUNCH of people over the past couple of days with the activities that have gone on.The first day was mainly getting ourselves familiar with the campus. A thing that I learned was carrying two fifty pound bags around this campus is one hell of a workout! Especially since I had to climb up a hill and roll my bags down a steep hill (I'm alive though!!) The campus is centered around a pond with a fountain that lights up at night and is absolutely beautiful. Once I got to my room I literally passed out and slept for 14 hours... needless to say I missed the mandatory international student meeting OOPSIES..The next day was spent meeting new people as everyone prepared for the toga party. In our orientation bag we were given a fabric and had to use our creativity to make our own toga and surprisingly mine turned out decent looking. I noticed that a lot of their music is considered our "oldies" or stuff that was popular five years ago..which isn't a problem for me since I've had mire time to master the lyrics ;) I skipped out on the second day of the orientation and figured is familiarize myself with the bus system to visit my friend over at Griffith Uni. Note to self: don't attempt at night!! I ended up going a half hour in the wrong direction then got stranded at Pacific Fair waiting for my transfer bus. After waiting for an hour I ended up just taking a cab. Here in Australia they actually sit in the front seat of the cab so that was new to me. I also found out that although your destination is 20 minutes by car, that DEFINITLEY does not include the bus. Had I not taken a cab and ridden the bus all the way to Griffith it would have taken about an hour or more.Thursday was the tight and bright party where people dressed up in wacky neon clothes and basically raved. by this night I was exhausted and ended up leaving early to crash. Today was our last orientation event, and we spent it going to Broad Beach. I met up with a lot of people from my Globalinks program and had a chill day of tanning and building sand castles. It's weird to think that school starts Monday, and that summer is just now starting here in Australia!! Back to the books I go

So I've been a bit behind on my posts since 1. I have been non stop for the past two weeks and 2. Had a hate love relationship with the wifi at the hotel. Anywho so the flight was a wee bit exhausting. Tuesday the 27th I flew out of DFW to LAX. In LA I met up with about 30 other people who are also studying at Bond Uni. From LAX we flew to Brisbane then got a connecting flight to Cairns, Australia (pronounced cans). To sum that up for you it was pretty much 24 hours of flying and not having been in an actual bed in 48 hours. At the airport we met our group leaders Ross and Kym who work with Globalinks. We took a bus to a hostel called Gilligans where we stayed for four nights. This stay was called our "Bridging Cultures Program" where we get introduced to the Australian culture. one thing I learned is that Australians are super sweet and nice..and no I'm not saying that just because they didn't charge me for losing three room keys in five days at Gilligans ;)

Day one of BCP:

The first full day was labeled as the rainforestation day where we were able to pet/feed kangaroos, make an aboriginal canvas painting, hold a snake, throw a boomerang, learn the aboriginese dance, ride through the forest/pond, and hold a koala bear. This day was mainly to introduce us to the way the natives (aboriginal or indigenous people) lived their life.

Day two of BCP:

Our day started at 630 AM with breakfast. Today was dedicated to exploring the Great Barrier Reef where we were able to snorkel or scuba dive. I chose to snorkel since it was free (college living for ya). Anywho the scenery and the reef were BREATHTAKING. When swimming in the shallow end (maybe 6ft) the reef would be inches away from you. There were times when I had swim in an awkward way to make sure I didn't touch the reef. The sun is definitely a lot stronger here than it is back in Texas so I am probably going to be coming back to the states ULTRA tan.

Day three of BCP:

This day we had the choice of having a free day to walk about Cairns, skydive, bungee jump, four wheeling through the jungle, or horse back riding. Take a wild guess of what my redneck self chose..yuuup four wheeling :) this was definitely and interesting experience with four out of the six 4 wheelers breaking down and/or stalling out. At one point our tour guides quad went out and he left us in the forest for about 15 minutes to get another four wheeler. All in all though it was a blast.

The next morning or should I say a few hours later at 330 AM we were up and moving and headed to the airport. The thought of getting on a plane at this point was a mood killer considering the fact that we had been on gosh knows how many planes in five days. Needless to say when we landed back in Brisbane everyone was pumped to finally be closer to moving into Bond AND not having to step foot on a plane again for a good amount of time!!

Attached are some photos throughout the BCP

Enjoy :)