Day 6 (LaTrobe University) - Bendigo, Victoria Australia Today was my last day of holiday. Tomorrow I start International Student Orientation, and after that is Res Fest (I think it's like Safari but for everyone in the Res Halls), then Orientation for everyone, and then classes start. Dinner was fun because I received many lessons (basically I was harassed/made fun) about the language Americans use vs. Australains (and of course I'M saying everything wrong, and...

Day 1 (LaTrobe University) - Bendigo, Victoria Australia I'M FINALLY HERE! After flying 12,622 miles, driving 95 miles, a 6 day "in country orientation" (aka vacay), I successfully made it to my home for the next five months. I'm pooped. I unpacked my four t-shirts, three pairs of khakis, two pairs of jeans, a hoodie, swim suit, blanket, and few other odds and ends. I'm living in Scott Annex, and my first impression is that I like it. I really enjoy t...

Day 5 (AustraLearn Orientation) - Cairns, Queensland Australia Today was my first time scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef! It was AMAZING! Or Ausome! Passions of Paradise took us out on a huge boat with two pontoons that sat in the water. There was a nice air-conditioned deck to with seats, tables, and a bar. That's where we had all of our meetings and debriefings. Outside on the deck there were plenty of places to sit and two canvas covers over two holes in...

Day 4 (AustraLearn Orientation) - Cairns, Queensland Australia Today was our Community Day, which consisted of our entire big group going back up the mountain that we visited for Rainforestaion and the Jungle tour. There is a nursery/rehabilitation project be done to increase the number of Southern Cassowary birds from their endangered 1,500 number. In doing so we volunteered by planting trees that grew the fruit that the birds like to eat. We also helped out in...

Day 3 (AustraLearn Orientation) - Cairns, Queensland Australia Last night was a little rough. The air conditioning in my room stopped working, so it was bloody hot and humid in the room making it difficult to sleep. I only got like 6 hours of sleep. Staying hydrated and putting on suncream is pushed. Apparently there's a hole in the ozone layer right over Australia, so heat exhaustion is the number one killer. Today was the optional adventure day. AustraLearn...