Life at UNCW

Ok, so some of this i've already spoken a bit about but I thought I'd say it again but explain a bit more.

I thought I might just talk about life in general on campus instead of all the crazy stuff I get up to.

Firstly, campus is just about the nicest well-kept area I've seen. The maintenance people are always blowing leaves off walkways and trimming the sides of the sidewalks too. Everything is immaculate. Chancellor's Walk is a big central lane that everyone uses because class buildings are lined up along the whole walk. As I mentioned, the buildings are the stereotypical red brick, white pillar buildings. At the end of Chancellor's Walk is a series of ponds/lakes, bridges, the library and the clocktower which chimes every half hour. It really is unbelievable to think that this is where I've been living for the past two months. I still haven't been able to make it to Historical Downtown Wilmington because it's about a $15.00 taxi ride but the area around the university is interesting anyway. Just a bike ride away from Walmart. :)

Classes are fantastic, the teacher's are really quirky and interesting in their own ways. Like I've said before, the workload is very different... instead of having 3 or 4 major assessments, I sit 16 small exams and only around 4 actual writing assignments. It sounds intense but it's quite easy because the workload and study is broken down into smaller parts. So far I've learnt about Native American history and the American colonisation from Europe, American corrections, genocides in Africa, and learnt about 6 or 7 different countries government and political systems. Everyone here has really fascinating subjects and you really do learn a new perspective on things compared to the Australian education system.

Dorm life is great! I've already become really close with all the international students and some American students. Living in room share accommodation definitely has it's ups and downs, but it's good because it teaches you how to get on with others living in such an enclosed space. Cooperation is key. My roommate is hardly ever in the room because she studies at the library until after I'm in bed and then she likes to go out and party on weekends. So almost all the time I have the place to myself.

This weekend me and my friends Irene (Ecuador), Taz (England) and Melanie (Perth, Aust) are heading to Nashville, Tennessee for Fall Break on a road trip which should be amazing but I'll write about that when I get back.

Cheers.

So far in the US of A

I know, I know. It's been a while, I'm sorry. But now that uni has started all of the craziness has settled down into heavy studying. So, since the beginning of school there have been a few parties, some interesting frat house parties and many trips around uptown Wilmington with the International girls. One night we decided to have a girls night out for dinner and a movie so we went to a place called Outback. This place is AWESOME!!! An "authentic" Australian steakhouse that represented only the truest sterotype of the Australian outback, I was expecting Crocodile Dundee to jump out and start wrestling a croc or something. One thing about Outback is that it's everywhere!!! It's a massive franchise so we're pretty bloody popular here in America.

At the uni, there's a rock climbing wall which has pretty much become my second home. They hold belay clinics and kayak clinics and surf clinics and any other sports clinics they can conjure up. Anyway, I'm really loving all the sports facilities here and can't wait for the basketball season to start.

A few weekends ago, my friend Chelsea took me to the Appalachian mountain area and to her home up there for a few days. It was a really good trip with heaps of sightseeing. The mountains here are so beautiful. It's such a breath taking area and me and some friends are returning there next month to do a proper camping/hiking trip in the mountain region.

So far, like everyone warned, time has flown so fast. I can't believe it's almost been two months already. I feel like I haven't got much time left here. Homesickness sets in a lot more now that there aren't crazy excursions everyday and I guess you have more time to think about what's happening at home. But, the study keeps you pretty busy of course. This semester I have to sit 16 exams/quizzes along with a EU consultation and pop quizzes. So, basically if you fall behind your readings, your screwed. But it's manageable and the work is very intersting. Last week I sat an exam about Native Americans so I'm learning heaps about American history and culture in class.

The other evening I went to a talk by Chris Abani, an author and victim of the Nigerian conflict, which was fascinating. He spoke about his experiences and his books. The university puts on a lot of presentations from guest speakers and it draws a MASSIVE crowd. So many people came to the talk. He was so interesting to listen to I ended up getting one of his books... which I have yet to read...

Anyway, I think that's most of the gossip for now, I'll try and talk more next time. :)

Cheers.