Orientation Day and The Ranch (February 22)

Today we had orientation from 10am till 4pm. This was a long day but we learned a lot about the school, what and how we can get involved, how to sign up for classes, got our student cards, and more. For the welcome part of the orientation meeting we got a special performance from an aborigine group who did some dances, songs, and told us a little about the aborigines. It was very unique. I love listening to the aborigine music especially the didgeridoo.

Poses from their dances

Video of the Aborigines Opening Song/Dance 

We learned about the size of Australia and the comparison to the US. They also had a vegemite contest, which Suzy volunteered for and ended up winning. They had to be the first person to eat a piece of bread with vegemite. The boys and girl were taking huge bites and trying to finish. Suzy just sat there taking one bite at a time like she was casually eating a sandwich. She won it was so funny and entertaining. After 2 and a half hours we were served a BBQ lunch out by the lake/grass area. It was gorgeous out and very hot. The lunch consisted of a piece of bread, sausage, and coleslaw. Its so interesting because they do their lunches so different here. Most things they server you expect there to be another side. For instance with this lunch there was another table so we thought there might be chips or fruit or something but it was just another table with more of the same food. Also when we went to subway they didn’t even have chips you could purchase with your order so it was just a sandwich and a drink. Another thing I noticed that was different was how not big on deserts they are and how they love their milk or dairy chocolate but not dark chocolate. They never serve desert with any of their meals and all their candies and chocolates here are milk or dairy. Anyways just a little side note . . . Following our lunch we split up into smaller groups with our advisers where we learned about our student portal, how to use and access our email, how to add and change classes, and a bunch of other helpful things like getting our student login so now I can use the wireless network with my computer once I’m on campus. My advisor Alex is super nice and helpful. She is currently pregnant and due soon so I will only have her for two more months before she leaves. We finished orientation so Minna and I decided to a workout class at the gym. We did the abs, butt, thighs class, which was a great beginners class. After the gym we headed home and got ready for the ranch. The ranch was a lot more fun and entertaining this week because there are so many more people here and its so close to the start of school. It was a very enjoyable and amusing night.