HCJMU Abroad is back with a brand new abroad blogger! Stay tuned all spring semester for bi-weekly updates from HCJMU’s own, Allie Smith, as she takes us along on her journey studying abroad in the land down under – Australia!
What a crazy two weeks it has been! After months of sitting at home, jealous of all my fellow classmates and friends beginning their second semester at JMU, I finally made it to Australia. The entire experience has been somewhat of a blur, but I will do my best to piece together all of the amazing things about life in Australia.
I’m studying at La Trobe University here in Melbourne, Australia. I live on campus with fellow international students and locals. My building has no AC, which brings me back to the good ol’ days of freshman year in the Village. There are twelve separate towers, each three stories tall (A, B and C), with twelve rooms on each floor. I live in Tower 5, C floor, and I’m convinced it is the hottest. After a solid day’s worth of traveling, once I stepped foot outside in Australia, a little part of me felt at home. Not to say I don’t miss life back in the USA, going from winter at home, to summer here… but what is there not to love? (Besides no AC of course!)
Most of my time has been spent at orientation meetings and planned activities for all of the international students. Through these sessions, I’ve met a ton of awesome people who have made my transition much easier. In the last two weeks, I’ve made more adjustments than I could of even imagined!
Although it feels like I have been here for a month, the past two weeks have been incredible. Classes start on Monday, and quite frankly, I’m excited for the day-to-day structure. I’m very excited to share my adventures with all of you, and hope that by the end of these next few months, I will have you convinced that Australia is truly one of the best places in the world!
G’day mates!
Allie