Category: Australia

Submitted by Carly Battistoni on the 2017 winter session program in Australia sponsored by the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering…

After a week in Melbourne, we have seen: all kinds of culture, restaurants, shops, beaches, beautiful scenery and some funny-looking animals.  While the metropolitan nature of Melbourne is strikingly similar to that of cities in the United States, it seems like Melbourne has embraced its diversity more than other cities I have visited.  There is a bridge in downtown Melbourne that has sculptures dedicated to its immigrants from all around the world – whether they came for refuge, education, work or during the Gold Rush, they are welcomed into Australia.

We also made our way down the Great Ocean Road, stopping at various scenic views along the way.  My favorite site was the 12 Apostles – a series of, now 8, large cliffs off in the ocean.  The original name for this site, named by old sailors, was sow and piglets.  It was renamed the 12 Apostles by a marketing expert in the early 1900’s, even though they were originally only 10 formations, to add to its appeal.

My final remark is on the street art of Melbourne.  We went on a walking tour of the city earlier and the first thing we were shown was the beautiful artwork of their street artists.  There are designated areas of the city in which it is legal to graffiti buildings.  Our guide seemed very proud of the beautiful artwork, discussing with us how the artists often work in collaboration with one another, sign their work and leave a message about anything from environmental concerns to political issues.  This attitude that Australians have towards street artists contrasts with the view of graffiti in America; street artists’ work is considered vandalism in one country, but is viewed with pride and admiration in another.

Submitted by Shannon Emrich on the 2017 winter session program in Australia sponsored by the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering…

So far, Australia is incredible. I am amazed at how comfortable I feel in a country literally across the world. While looking outside and clearly seeing that the road signs are in kilometers per hour instead of miles per hour, the cars are driving on the right side of the road and everyone around me has an accent, there is a sense of familiarity. Everyone is so welcoming and happy to help. I’ve gotten lost more than once and yet people are quick to ask if you need help and direct you accordingly.

Another thing that the civil engineer in me has been pleasantly surprised about is the architecture here. Everything is extremely detailed. I feel like people take pride in their homes because almost all of them are so intricately designed. All of the buildings are so unique. It’s inspiring.

Submitted by Katie Gitin on the 2017 winter session program in Australia sponsored by the Department of Behavioral Health & Nutrition…

We’ve been in Australia for four days now and it feels like we’ve been here for almost a month already. Everything here is absolutely gorgeous and the weather is unreal. I call my friends and family members from home and can not explain enough how nice it is to be in warm weather compared to the cold temperatures of Delaware. All of the trees and grass are so incredibly green especially considering how hot it is here. Now that I’ve been here after  freezing in the States for a few months now, I can absolutely confirm that seasonal depression is a real struggle.

Adjusting to the time has been a little strange, but I think it’s definitely all part of the experience. Landing here a few days ago was confusing because it was 9:00 am and 80 degrees- it’s almost like environmental shock. We go to bed at a normal hour and we all wake up at 6:30 am as if it’s an instinct. So, we are awake longer and have longer days, but sleep so much less here than at home because of the jet lag. It’s almost as if we don’t need to sleep. It’s a crazy feeling.

So far, we’ve gone to the beach, the Queen Vic market, several different parts of the city, restaurants and everything in between. It doesn’t even feel like we’re in Australia, it feels more like California or another state in the USA.

Overall, I absolutely love it here so far and I really could not be happier to see what the next month has in store for us!

Submitted by Marisa Bisram on the 2017 winter session program in Australia sponsored by the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering…

5,4,3,2,1! We sat in the Los Angeles Airport counting down to an East Coast New Year’s. It was the furthest I’d ever been away from home and the first time I had ever spent New Year’s Eve away from my family. It wasn’t something I considered while preparing for the program, but sitting in the airport receiving videos of my family at home celebrating, definitely started the home sickness prematurely. However, the excitement of the other group members quickly raised my enthusiasm for the adventure to come.

After spending a few days in Melbourne, I can say missing New Year’s was absolutely worth it. The city of Melbourne has one of the best transportation systems in the world and compared to home, the infrastructure is amazing. According to the 2016 Economic Intelligence Unit Livability Report, Melbourne scored a perfect 100 percent. The transportation system was the biggest shock to me since I was used to having to drive everywhere or having long wait times for public transportation at home. Most locations in the city are accessible by tram, bus or train with an average wait time of only 10 minutes. For our stay this winter, this is extremely beneficial because it doesn’t limit us to areas just in the university area. Our travel options are limitless and I look forward to spending the beginning of a new year exploring new places!

Submitted by Jenna Perrotta on the 2017 winter session program in Australia sponsored by the Department of Behavioral Health & Nutrition…

On our first day in Australia, we took a tour of our campus – University of Melbourne. We had our first class on community health and learned about the Aborigines. Yesterday, we went to the Queen Victoria Market followed by a tour via train of the city of Melbourne and then we headed to Brighton Beach. The biggest difference I’ve noticed here is the transportation and the vocabulary. The driving on the opposite side of the road is really going to take some getting used to! I also didn’t realize how different our vocabulary is from them. Many locals used terms that I was unsure of their meaning which I was surprised by! Overall, this place is amazing so far and I can’t wait to continue to explore!

 

Submitted by Nicole Coryell on the 2018 winter session program in Australia sponsored by the Department of Health Sciences…

While most of my trip was in Melbourne, (a place that will always hold a special spot in my heart), Sydney is even bigger and more beautiful than I imagined.  We arrived on Australia Day and got to celebrate and watch fireworks over the Opera House, which was breathtaking.  Their Australia Day celebrations are very similar to our Fourth of July celebrations. Speaking of the Opera House, we also had the opportunity to have a guided tour of it and the inside is just as iconic as the outside. So many famous celebrities, groups and performers haven been through there and it was very cool to be on the inside.  Apparently, we missed Sam Smith rehearsing to perform there by only two days! Hearing the history of the Opera House and how it was constructed was also very interesting because it still amazes me that people were able to make such an abstract building. I wish I had more time in Sydney to explore the city, but I know someday I will be back!

 

Submitted by Nicole Coryell on the 2018 winter session program in Australia sponsored by the Department of Health Sciences…

While I know deep down I am not a huge nature-loving person, this past week, my group and I went on an excursion to the Grampians.  The town of Halls Gap is not very big, you can walk the entire thing, but the trails and views there are big and beautiful.  My friends and I hiked up and down these trails, which were kind of difficult in my opinion, but worth it.  This was definitely the first time I went exploring and can call this an actual hike! Maybe after this program, I’ll even look into going on another one.