First Adventure

"One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things."

                                         -Henry Miller

My first week of classes (week two) was interesting to say the least. I started my Monday at 8a.m. with a two hour Photography lecture, followed by my Photography tutorial--which is a smaller one hour class designed to give students more interaction with professors, another two hour lecture in Personality and Individual Differences, and ended the day with an hour Photography lab. The first day was rather exciting and exhausting, but it was nice to have a solid schedule once again. Tuesday and Wednesday were filled with only one class as the tutorials had been cancelled for the first week. Luckily, I have my Thursdays and Fridays off for relaxation, traveling, and even homework.

(My photography lab...I haven't used a Mac since grade school!)

During the week I attended Wednesday by the Water, which is basically a free barbeque that students can grab some lunch and on Friday I attended club sign on day. Here I signed up for badminton club and Bond Student Philanthropy Council. I was interested in the Philanthropy Council because it participates in volunteer opportunities around Australia. To start off Bondstock, a week for student elections of different bodies around campus, the school was treated to an amazing fireworks display over the lake.

(Bonstock Fireworks)

Week three proved to provide even more entertainment as I attended all of my classes and became more involved on campus. This week was the start of different clubs and organizations. On Wednesday I attended Res Wars and represented the AC Red Devils. Res Wars is a friendly competition between the residential buildings on campus. This week’s event was dodgeball, as each week is a different event ranging from sports to trivia. The Red Devils outnumbered the rest of the residential areas and had a majority of the Americans…let’s just say it might not have been a fair fight, but it was fun! Following Res Wars, I played some badminton. Granted I have not played badminton since junior year of high school, I wasn't too bad. The second game I played was with three boys, it was rather competitive to say the least.

(Bond Uni's Badminton Club)

Yesterday (Saturday) I ventured out of the city and took a road trip with my friends. We rented a car and drove up into Hinterlands to Springbrook National Park. This day trip sure was an amazing one as we walked about twelve kilometers (7.4 miles) to some beautiful landmarks from different angles.

(The start of our Springbrook hike)

We ventured up even further into the mountains to see some different lookouts and then back down to view a natural bridge and the glowworm caves at night. I think my favorite part of the day, despite the bats flying in and out of the cave, was seeing the glowworms…they were amazing! We stopped to look at the starts and ventured home.

(Stars in the sky)

Ending on a good note, I drove down the winding mountain back to the Uni. My second highlight of the day was driving…on the left side of the road!! At first I was a bit nervous and only hit the windshield wipers twice (as they are opposite cars in the States), but there really wasn't much to it. I can’t wait for the next adventures to come!

(Me driving on the left side of the road!)

Here are some more photos from Springbrook National Park...

(Miles, Maarit, Jayme, me, Thomas)

                              (Kookaburra)

 (Maarit, me)

 (It's a swinging tree branch)

                                                  (Photo I submitted for class)

If you have any questions or comments, please put them below!
Until then...

:-: Katie :-:

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... 

The view from my room...I am able to see the skyline of Gold Coast and the Olympic sized swimming pool we have on campus

My burger from 'The Hub'

The back view of the arch

Kurrawa Beach

G'day and Cheerio!

:-: Katie :-: