On Monday, 16th of February, we finally arrived in chilly Melbourne. At this point in time, I really felt the time differences and the change of climate from -15 degrees, up to 35 in Dubai and Singapore, and back to about 20 in Melbourne.

At the airport, I met my study buddy from Utrecht, Ilse and we were really happy to finally start our semester abroad together at Monash University in Melbourne.

Again, I was quite 'disappointed' by the chilly weather, cause I just came from two literal 'hot-spots' and my room at campus was also not really convincing in the beginning. Well, at one point, I figured you just have to deal with it and be happy about your time in a new country (which you should not be spending in your room anyways, so already an excuse to not spend too much time in this tiny something haha). Campus life was just a new experience for me cause I've always lived on my own in shared flats (limited to 4 people and not 30) and I was not used to be surrounded by many different people (all aged 18-20 and mostly 1st year students) all at once.

So, I had my struggles in the beginning adapting and settling in, but I guess that's just a normal procedure, also after working for half a year and going back to study again.

Nevertheless, the first few weeks just flew by and just to get some facts across:

-yes, healthy food is very expensive here (5 $ for one avocado- I mean, really?!) and alcohol, well...prices range from 20$ cheapest cheap wine (called "Goon") to 100$ for good Vodka or Gin

-no, I'm not constantly surrounded by Koals and Kangaroos (although Wombats, Possums and super-noisy parrots are constant 'neighbours')

-not every Australian is a surfer

-its not always sunny in Australia (actually, it is in most parts, just not Melbourne haha), and you should acutally be prepared for any kind of weather during one day > had a rain shower on my first, sunny hot day at the beach

...and more insights will follow during the next months ;)

Anyways, I've got to see the major spots in Melbourne already, which are Federation Square, the Yarra River, parts of the Botanical Gardens and the Shrine of Rememberance, the major shopping street and just nice rooftop bars :)

Okay, the next update on university and my first trip to Sydney will follow shortly :) But you can already enjoy some Sydney- impressions :)

xx