Submitted by Nicole Latino on the 2012 summer session program in Australia sponsored by the School of Education…
It’s Wednesday, only three more days in Aussie Land. Wednesday was our first free day in awhile, and our group did not waste it. I headed off to Olympic Park. As I am sure you guessed from the name, I went to the stadium where the Olympics were held in 2000. I was shocked by the vastness of the area, which covers multiple acres and lots of various arenas and centers. At the park there is an area filled with poles which hold the names of the Olympic volunteers. I looked at the La/Le pole and actually found a fellow Latino. (Long lost Australian relative?) We walked the grounds and entered a couple of the arenas. The whole area was really empty and kind of ghost townish. We originally were going to take a tour, but the only available tour was at 3pm and we were there around 11 am. (The brochure totally lied; it said they had tours throughout the day) Since we were unable to take a tour, we were unable to enter the ANZ Stadium.
After walking around the grounds, we ate lunch at a café and then hopped back on the train. Since it was such a beautiful day and only 1pm, we headed to Manly Beach. In order to get to the beach we took a ferry. I love ferries, and this one gave you exceptional views of the Sydney Opera House. The ferry was very smooth until we reached the headland then things got a bit turbulent. We actually saw two different rainbows during our ferry ride. (Australia is amazing!) Manly Beach was really pretty, but I prefer the atmosphere at Bondi Beach more. We didn’t say at the beach too long, because although it was sunny, the sky was spitting raindrops at us. Before we left Manly, we hit some shops, and got ice cream. After returning to Circular Quay from the ferry, we hopped on a bus to Darling Harbor. (If you are counting; yes I took buses, trains, and ferries all in one day) I went to the mall to look at uggs and then we headed back to our hotel for pasta. At 7 I met up with my group to finalize our project for Thursday.
Last official day in Australia! I am so sad to think that I will be leaving this awesome place! Today was also our last day of class. All of the groups presented a project about field trips. (SHOUT OUT to the best group: Alexis B, Shelby D, Alyssa M, Lauren A, and Lissy R.) After class, we headed to Paddy’s for last minute souvenirs. In the afternoon, we attempted packing. (Some were more successful than others.) At 6pm we had our final group dinner. I have never had so much fun in my life. The food was superb, and we danced the night away. Even our instructors got their groove on! Our teachers gave out superlatives, and so did a couple of the girls on the trip. I am going to miss this group so so much. I don’t even want to think about not being able to see them everyday. I have always heard study abroad will change your life, and I really believe it does. I have made so many friendships with people I most likely would have never met at Delaware, and I have experienced so much. THANK YOU AUSTRALIA STUDY ABROAD FOR ALL THE MEMORIES! … I’m signing off my last blog post of this trip, tomorrow is an early and long flight. ADIOS AUSTRALIA.
