Week One: Settling In

It has been about a week since I got to Australia, and other than missing my family, Max, my friends, and my dog, I wish I came here sooner! I am absolutely in love with the people and the environment. Before coming here, I would tell everyone that I don’t know what I am going to do about my homesickness and I am going to be crying everyday. Well, I have only cried once and I don’t really feel homesick. Being surrounded by such a bright and environment has helped me so much!

The people here actually remind me of my Wisconsin friends, because everyone is just so nice and willing to help you. One trait about St. Norbert College (home college) is that everyone is extra nice. Here, I feel it is the same way, which automatically lifts my spirits. I have met so many people within the first week here at Bond, from all over! I have friends from Canada, Australia, the US, New Zealand, and Norway. It was amazing that the friends I have made so far have clicked with me and the rest of my SNC friends so well, even though we are from different places of the world. I also lucked out with my roommate because she is super nice and we actually have two classes together! She is also from the US, so we have that in common as well.

As I am typing this, I have only had two classes so far, but so far it seems like this school is extremely diverse and a lot of students in my classes are on exchange. This is nice because not only do I get to meet people from different places, but everyone is going through a similar transition like me, which makes the experience more comfortable.

The environment on this campus is also incredible. I also feel as I am on a resort, because this just does not seem real to me. Even with classes starting, I feel like I am on vacation, because my classes are enjoyable. Not that my classes weren’t enjoyable back home, but the environment makes a huge difference!

My room. AMAZING! It is such a step up from the past couple years of being an RA and living in a small dorm with no bathroom. Here, my roommate and I lucked out with a bigger room than others. We also have our own bathroom and shower, mini fridge, lots of storage space, and an amazing view looking towards the city and overlooking the school pool. The other different part about living on campus here is that we have housekeeping come in every week to do a brief cleaning and to change our sheets on our beds, which is super nice because buying sheets and a comforter would have been a mess! The building our room is in is also in a nice area on campus, where everything is a short walk and easy to get to. Being by the fitness center is really nice as well!

I am so incredibly happy with where I am right now, and although I do miss home, I love it here! If any of you get the opportunity to travel here or study here, I highly encourage you to go for it! It is very much worth the money!

Keep doing what makes YOU happy!

Jessica