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 we Americans are just crazy with our language…). There aren't a lot of words that are different, just how you pronounce them. I was laughed at for how I pronounced: banana, tater tots, khaki, aluminum, and others that I can't remember. If you ever decide to visit Oz NEVER say "fanny pack," because "fanny" refers to woman's reproductive organs. Another thing to watch out for is the phrase "rooting" as used in, "I'm rooting for the Chippewas," because "rooting" refers to the act of sex in Australia. While comparing how American Universities (specifically Central Michigan University) operates academically wise compared to Australian Unis (specifically LaTrobe), Australian Unis don't require "gen eds" or UP classes. Students only go to Uni here for three years: get in, get your degree, and get out, no fluff. And, GREAT NEWS for education majors back in the states: there is such a demand in Australia for Education Majors that the Education classes are offered at reduced prices! Same with nursing! So all you recently graduated education majors, come over to the down under and get a job!

To go more in-depth of how higher education works here, I understood the following: After high school (btw, the words "freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior" are not used to describe class standings in Oz, I had to once again explain what these words mean in the States) it is common for Aussies to take a year off. I read awhile back that Americans students were trying to start this trend. According to studies American students perform better in college if they take a year off between high school and college, and it also gives students a maturity boost if they use that year to work - that's what I read anyway. Back to Australia…the goal is to work and make $18,000 in that year off after graduating high school. Once one has $18,000 they are considered "financially independent" by the government and qualify for a loan to be used for Uni. College bound teens then enroll and use the government loan to pay for schooling. The loan covers all tuition expenses so one just has to pay for housing. After college graduation when the graduate starts making over $30,000 a year, the government starts collecting on the loan, taking money out through taxes. That's how I understood the system anyway.

Lingo Learned:
Jumper = Hoodie/Sweatshirt
Tomato Sauce = Ketchup
Timetable = Schedule (as in bus or train schedule, class schedule, etc.)
Unit = Credit and 15 Units = 3 Credits
Supermarket = Store (basically they don't say, "I'm going to the store," it's, "I'm going to the supermarket)

Interesting Comment of the Day: While watching Australian news today there was a story about a 12 year-old boy who was stabbed at school and died. One of the parents interviewed made the following comment, "This isn't America, these things don't happen in Australia." I really didn't know what to think or how to respond to the comment, but I thought it was interesting.

Food Tried Today: I had my first experience with "vegemite" today. I watched some American Students try it during the AustraLearn Orientation in Cairns, and their reactions scared me, but I was peer pressured into it today. I had a little bit on a cracker annnnnnd, it wasn't that bad. I really can't describe the taste.I only needed to put a little bit on to get a strong taste. I got yelled at when I didn't put butter on the cracker with the vegemite, so that may be what I try tomorrow. According to Wikipedia it's: "a dark brown Australian food paste made from yeast extract - made from used brewers' yeast extract, aby-product of beer manufacturing, and various vegetable and spice additives. It is salty, slightly bitter, and malty — similar to beef bouillon. The texture is smooth and sticky."

Fun Times: I had to explain what "BA" means/stands for, as well as other apprevs that we Central students use