Advice, etc...

Room pictures: Kitchen-->

Kitchen is connected to small living room. There is a hallway running down between bedrooms and open bathroom, with separate small rooms for toilet and shower. Bedrooms look like this, with a wardrobe that contains a three-compartment dresser.

Hello friends! I know it has been a bit since my last post, but things have been pretty crazy here! Before I get into a lot, I figure I should put down some advice for the people coming in upcoming semesters.

1) Don't bother with a hiking backpack. It doesn't carry as much as usual luggage, can't be used for a carryon, and they provide them for outdoor ed. Plus, a normal backpack is way better for school... obviously.
2) Prep your classes before coming. You can search for preferable class times under the Lismore search engine under timetables link on the top of the MySCU page. This way, you can know your schedule, enrol easier, and get into the tutorials you want. The system for enrolment is really bad here, and if you put it off you run the risk of not getting into the good tutorials, having classes late in the week, and having to really badger people to get you in to the right classes.

3) Along with that, count on your enrolment screwing up. Don't get that upset, it happens to over half the people here.

4) Spend the first week meeting people. That is really what O-week is for. Aussie connections are key, and try to find someone with a car. Most of you will have a roommate with one, but it really helps to know a few people who do.

5) Don't worry about fitting in. Only half the people living on campus are Australian. The other half are international, with a majority from the U.S. Essentially, everyone is different- not just you.

6) Get used to drinking, or at least being around drunk people. Aussies start drinking as early as 1-2 in the afternoon, and there are always people drinking. Every night.

7) Split the stuff you need with the people in your flat, and wait til your Aussie roomies to show up before getting anything big. The flats come with a microwave, in case you were curious. I will load pictures of the flat, too, so you can get an idea.

8) Classes are way different here. Much more relaxed, much less assignments, and very friendly profs.

9) Go to Fiji, or the like. It is by far the best way to meet the people you will have to depend on for the next 4 months, along with a few other internationals. Beachcomber was cool, but I have heard there are better, less 'touristy' places.

10) Start planning trips before you come. I am planning a trip to New Zealand over first break, and the plane tickets would have been a lot less if I would have done it earlier. Even if you want to wait to meet people, be ready to see the Travel Agent on campus the first week you are here.

Fiji and Arrival in Lismore

Hey everybody! I just arrived in Lismore yesterday. The only internet access in Fiji was expensive, so I didn't bother going on. But it was gorgeous. In Fiji I did a lot, and it didn't cost too much. We went to Beachcomber, which is an island and a resort. The only things I had to pay for were alcohol (unless you sneakily drink the stuff you bought in the duty free shop before your last flight, which I did) and special stuff like tubing, parasailing, scuba diving, wakeboarding, etc... I went parasailing, which was cool, and tubing. I also went fish feeding and snorkling for free, and snorkling was the coolest out of everything because I was one of only about 4-5 people who were snorkling when the fish were fed. There were so many schools of fish right around me that I couldn't move- so cool! Big, small, colorful, all types! Most of us got burns, and thank god that somebody brought a first aid kit with athletic tape because a lot of us got cut on coral and shells in the sand. Travel was a bit rough, but it turned out okay. The earplanes worked out great, and by the end using those along with popping my ears every once and awhile I had no problems. For those ever traveling later, make sure you check your luggage size, because my hiking backpack had to be in checked luggage on most flights. Luckily I didn't get charged for it! Other than that, though, no troubles- just a bunch of waits. I would also say go on the Fiji trip because I made sooo many friends on it, including some from Aussie that offered to let me and couple others come to their towns and stay nights and show us around. I promise to get some picks up today or tomorrow depending on internet usage allowance, I am transfering them to my laptop now. Aussie is great too, and the weather is pretty decent! A lot better than 20 below, thats for sure!
Shea

Packing

I have finally finished packing, and for those who care, this is what I packed. I will come back in awhile with a new post stating what was worth it, what wasn't, what I brought enough of, what I didn't, etc... so here goes!

I had two luggage bags, one a bit bigger than the other. I got them for christmas from my parents, along with a hiking backpack from my sister which I used as a carryon. It all fit, suprisingly! Keep in mind I am a pretty big guy, too- most of the stuff is XXL.

3 Pairs of Pants
7 Pairs of Shorts
1 Pair of Swim Trunks
2 Baseball hats
1 Beanie
Pair of gloves
4 Polos
~10 T-shirts
1 New pack of undershirts
3 Long sleeve t-shirts
1 Dress shirt and tie
1 Hoodie
1 Coat (with zip-off liner)
2 New packs of underwear, and about 5 pairs besides
1 New pack of socks, and about 7 pairs besides
1 Pair of Aquasocks
1 Pair Sunglasses
1 Sleeping bag
1 Camping Mattress
1 Camping Bag (holds mattress, sleeping bag and makes it easy to attach them to my backpack)
1 Utensil set
1 Dishware set
Laptop
Power converter and adapter plug
Digital Photo Camera
Video Camera (its small, about the size of a digital camera)
Wind-up flashlight
3 sets of Flight Earplugs
Sinus meds (I have sinus problems)
Battery Powered alarm clock
~2 of every hygiene product (deodorant, shampoo, bar soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc)
Sunblock (spf 50)
1 Towel set
1 Pair of sheets & pillowcases
Large pack of Batteries
1 Journal
6 Books

And I think that is about all! I think I got everything I would really need, and a lot I won't. I also plan on leaving a lot of stuff there to make room for my return!

Preflight Prep

To begin, I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Shea Stevenson, I am 22, I am an operations management major with certificates in IS and leadership, in a few organizations such as Delta Sigma Phi, a social fraternity; Circle K, the college level Kiwanis club; Phi Beta Lambda, a leadership organization; APICS, the organization for my major; and I try to keep up tabs on a few others such as Student Senate, UWEC Housing (which I was active in until I moved out of the dorms), and the PSA (Progressive Student Association). So, as you can see, along with always pulling down one or two part time jobs, I keep myself busy. Doing well scholastically is important to me- I won't post the actual figure but I have a high GPA- and I also manage to have my own fair share of fun, through various activities (most of which I won't talk about here). Either way, that was me back at Eau Claire- we will see how things change in Lismore.

Well, it is coming up on the big day- February 10th. That is the day I fly from Minneapolis 3 1/2 hrs to LA, wait around for 9hrs, then fly almost 11hrs to Nadi, Fiji for a few days of 80+ degree weather and sandy beaches! But, before I can go, first I have to pack. I have bought all the gear, set aside all the clothes, and began trying to find a way to fit it all into two suitcases and a hiking backpack- which I am using as my carry-on. Its interesting to say the least. But, when I figure out what exactly I am bringing, I will make a list to put up here! I am anxious- mostly for flying, though. I have sinus problems, and the last and only time I ever flew my ears popped so bad I could barely hear for three days. But, this time I am prepared with lots of gum, special earplugs, sinus meds and my ID showing I am 22- legal enough for some whiskey to help the pain if need be. Hopefully I won't need it, though!