Submitted by Nicole Latino on the 2012 summer session program in Australia sponsored by the School of Education…
Nicole here, reporting back from my second week in memorizing Australia. Is it horrible that I have only spent 14 days here, but I am already dreading my flight back home? Our week started off with class, and a lecture at Victoria University. We sat in on an art history/ history of Australia lecture by a man of indigenous decent named Tom. The lecture was really interesting and informative, but I think it was just really cool to be in a setting with people closer to our age. We saw how the Aussies do college. After the class, our group broke up into smaller groups and entered another class. In the individual classes we were given the opportunity to mingle with some of the student which produced discussions about different things to see in Australia, questions about the States, and for some the low down on Melbourne nightlife. After a long tram ride back to the city, we were all pretty exhausted and called it an early night
The next day we went on another school visit to Eltham College. No not another University, rather a k-12 school. Eltham’s layout is very different to American schools. The campusconsists of several different buildings, includes a vineyard (where they make their own wine, and where I saw my first wild kangroo!), acres of Australian brush, and a big brown pond. I really liked the school’s senior years program. Starting around 9th grade, students work with a career counselor to determine what they want to do in their future. In years 10 thru 12, the student’s work focuses specifically on the career choice they selected. It seems like the school is actually invested in their students’ futures, unlike some American high school systems.
Friday, we had class. (Nothing too interesting to report back about that.) After class, we went shopping in the rain, after postponing a trip to the sky deck (continue reading for more information.) At night, our whole group went to the Crown, a very expensive hotel, club, casino and bar. The Crown was absolutely stunning; with a grand staircase, and a fountain where the water droplets danced to the music. A few people tried the slots and one group member won $20! The casino gave us a free game of poker, and the person in our group who won the game got a free drink. After playing a couple rounds, everyone just went all in to determine a winner. (Some serious poker players in our group!) After poker, we hit the dance floor to see how the Aussies’ get their groove on.
Saturday was filled with animals! We went on a bus tour to Phillips Island. It was a well needed break from the city. Our first stop was a petting zoo, but unlike America, the animals you pet include kangaroos, and wallabies. We also saw koalas, Emus, Tasmanian devils, dingoes, and peacocks. After the zoo, we went to Panny’s Chocolate Factory; a delicious and quirky stop. We also stopped at a surfing beach, where we interacted with a local surfer, also where my roommate’s camera went for a swim, and never returned. It was our first glimpse of an Australian beach, and it did not disappoint as it was visually impeccable! Our last stop was the Penguin Parade. Before the penguins returned home we walked along a boardwalk on the cliff. The views were so mesmerizing; I actually walked off a bench while taking photos. No serious injuries just a couple of bruises, luckily. Finally, with the ascent of nightfall we gathered on the grandstands to watch the penguins come home. I have never thought in my life that I would see a wild penguin so close to me. It is something I will never forget!
Sunday was a day off, but a bunch of us went to some local markets at St. Kilda’s beach and the Arts Precinct. At St. Kilda’s we walked along a pier leading to a marina which had the city as a backdrop. Ascetically it was perfection. We also made a pit stop at Luna Park(all the girls wanted to go because Mary Kate and Ashley filmed a movie there!). Sunday night the group went to the Eureka Sky deck, the tallest building in the southern hemisphere. On the 88th floor, (top floor) the views were amazing, you could literally see the whole city.
On Monday, we did another bus tour to The Great Ocean Road. Stops included surfing beaches (including world famous Bell’s beach), wild koala hunting, rainforest hiking, 12 Apostles, Loch Gorge, and London Bridge. I don’t think I have ever taken so many pictures in one day. If I had to describe Australia in one word, I would say STUNNING! I mean you think it can’t get any prettier, and then we made another stop at a spot that was more breathtaking. The 12 Apostles are rock formations in the ocean that have been eroded from the mainland.
Tuesday consisted of a school visit to Rossbourne, and Andale, both small special education schools. Everyone at the school was very accommodating and nice. They even hosted a sausage sizzle for us!
