Destination Swinburne

I arrived in Australia 7 July 2009. I was eager to see my friend Emma Bebe who studied at Cal Poly fall quarter 2008. I stayed with her and her family for a week and then we went on a 2 week tour of Central Australia with Adventure Tours. It was an awesome experience where we went swimming in springs and rock holes and saw beautiful landscapes like Ayers Rock and the Devil's Marbles. The trip was less than 2000 Australian dollars.

Once we got back, I was able to move into my apartments on campus. They are called the Swinburne Apartments and are definitely the best deal for people wanting to live on campus. The other two options are the residences that are like the dorms back home and Unilodge, both of which cost much more than the Swinburne Apartments. Apartments also get their own washer and dryer that will save you 4 or 8 dollars a load!! Within 30 minutes of moving into my apartment I was hanging out with Australians at the residences next door.

My fellow Cal Poly students and I agree that everyone is extremely friendly here much more open and friendly compared to people back home.

When I am not traveling and being a tourist I usually go out and enjoy the night life with my Australian friends.  Typically, on Tuesday nights most of the international students and people that live on campus go to a local pub called the Hawthorn. There are also some people that go out pretty much every day of the week, but Friday and Saturday nights are the main nights and sometimes Thursdays if you really want to.

Now for the things that actually matter!

Here are some pictures of where I have traveled since there are also many places to go and see. There is a tour group called the Real Experience that organizes traveling and places to go and see specifically for foreign exchange students. The two places I have gone with them so far are St. Kilda (beach) and the Dandenong Mountain Ranges. I also have a friend that lives in Melbourne who I have gone wine tasting in the Yarra Valley, Geelong, and Torquay Beach. Shown on this page are some pictures of my most recent exploits. 

 (below)Crocodile spotting in Central Australia.

(below) St Kilda tour with fellow exchange students.