A Life Down Under: In the Beginning

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."
-Lao Tzu

Well I finally made it to the beautiful city of Robina, Queensland, Australia!! It was quite the journey getting here to say the least. After a forty-five minute flight to Detroit and a four hour flight to Los Angeles, I was informed that my flight to Brisbane, Australia had been cancelled. At first I was super nervous because I have never had a flight cancelled before, but in the end, I was put up in a hotel for the night with a flight to Brisbane the next morning. After a rather long fourteen hour flight, I landed in Brisbane at 5:05pm and began this amazing journey!

(My school is near where the arrow is pointing in Gold Coast)

The past four days have been a whirlwind of excitement. I began my first day by attending a res orientation, getting my photo ID, finalizing classes, taking a campus tour, attending an academic writing seminar (just a refresher...and to make sure they use APA here...which they do!), an official welcome to the Uni, and a Toga Party sponsored by the Bond University Student Association.

(This is the fountain of learning. The middle building is the arch and to the right of the arch is my dorm)

The second day was a little bit more relaxed as I took a trip into town to do some shopping and then attended the nightly event, Hypnotist Mark Anthony. The third day was almost the same as the previous, as it was also laid back. A groups of us Bondies had lunch in Market Square (right next to campus) at 'The Hub.' This restaurant had quite a bit of character as the tables had pictures modge podged onto them, thrift shop couches and chairs that you sat on, and a wide array of board games that you could choose from while you were waiting. We then followed up our lunch with another trip into town and ended the night with a Tight and Bright Party, which was also sponsored by the school.

(This is inside 'The Hub')

Today was my first official trip to the beach here in Australia and the water was freezing!!! Despite the cold, we still jumped in and had some fun. I also walked a bit down the beach and found an awesome rock and at the same time my friend Maarit found an Australian dollar coin...just my luck.

(Swimming at Kurrawa Beach)

So far I have made some incredible friends, from the states, as well as, students from Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands. I found it interesting that I haven't met many students from Australia yet. However, I'm sure once classes start I will be able to meet some new (Australian) people!

(My friends...new and old. Miles [who attends Marian with me], Jayme, me, Thomas, and Maarit)

I am extremely excited for classes to start and to get a bit of order back into my life. I have already looked at my photography class on blackboard and can't wait to start! I am also taking Australian History, and two psychology classes, Image and Personality Differences and Introduction to Forensic Psychology. I have yet to determine where exactly all of my classes are on campus, but I'm sure that will come in a couple days.

This week has felt similar to my freshman year at Marian--trying to navigate school, meeting people and making new friends, and on the top of it, living in a new country! However, I am extremely excited for what is to come in the next couple months here...I'm actually thinking about doing a weekend surfing camp in a couple months, which will be both exciting and out of my comfort zone.

I would love to hear from those of you reading my blog! Please post any questions or comments that you may have and I will respond to them here. I will also respond to any letters that may come my way...my address is,
Katelyn Sroka
Campus Accommodation Office
14 University Drive
BOND UNIVERSITY QLD 4229

Here are a few more pictures that I have taken so far...