Studying in Straya! (University of Wollongong)

Studying in Straya~ a course called Happiness- investigating causes and conditions

O week unraveled!

So orientation week in Australia is a little different then the states. I was expecting endless lectures and instructions about not drinking or something along those lines, but that’s not it one bit. It is a week of parties sponsored by the Uni, starting with a pub crawl, followed by a music themed party, an ABC (anything but clothes) party, an under the sea party, a graffiti party, and of course Uni night. I don’t understand how we made it through the week alive, but nothing could have been better for our first taste of Wollongong. I mean really, what gets students bonding and talking more than a little goon. By the end of it all we had stories galore, friendships made, and no voice left to say more.

Celebrating the holidays- 

St. Patty’s day just rolled around and if you’re not sure if Australia celebrates it, well let me elaborate our day for you. Clear skies led us to the beach all morning and then the drinking started at one. We made it to a house party by Uni at about four and were proud to see the green envelope the backyards of two houses. 

People were everywhere, playing beer pong, rolling around in a giant ball, spinning goon bags around a circular clothes line, jumping from trees and one from a roof, on the dance floor, and conversing on the grass (or even making out). It was just ten when the cops came and dispersed the students. Most of which of us just ended up at the bar to continue eating and drinking.  At the end of the day MJ’s sprained ankle, Allie’s broken hand and lost phone, and my lost room key were all tokens from 12 hours of partying. Here's a local newspapers description of the celebration http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/2159391/wild-keiraville-party-uni-students-unrepentant/?cs=309.

The festival way of life- My friends and I were fortunate enough to be in Australia for Future Music Festival in Sydney. With plans to make it a great day, MJ and I boarded the train into Sydney with full cups of goon at 9am. We weren’t going to waste anytime to drink because we knew alcohol inside the festival would have been costly. When we got to Sydney we took a cab to a house party complete with music, some wild Canadian girls, and our friends. By three we were heading to the festival. Right away, MJ and I were welcomed by some crazy, masked guy who felt the need to lift us on top of his shoulders. After that excitement we ventured into the main area where we were consumed by a foam party. We played and danced and got soaked and lost track of time. By the time we were out we were onto our first stage; Tinie Tempah you might know him for the song Pass Out. Front row and yet still we managed the need for men to hold us on their shoulders. The security guards in the front were popping champagne into the crowd which everyone loved and took advantage of. 

After that MJ and I were lucky enough to stumble upon the stage where Macklemore and Ryan Lewis were singing. Everyone loved the classics from these fellas like Thrift Shop. By then the sun was setting and after a taco, ice cream, and beer session MJ and I hustled back to see Hardwell. It was the most phenomenal performance I have ever seen! I can’t say I have ever had more fun dancing. Right after Hardwell, Deadmou5 was on and the light show and staging was unreal. It concluded our spectacular festival and our sweaty and muddy bodies piled on the train back to campus.

Nights out- 

Let’s start off with Australia tradition for partying. Wednesday nights is called Uni Night and UOW provides us with transportation to and from the clubs in town. I am not sure why they promote drinking on school nights, but I’m not going to complain. 

What Wollongong has to offer- It might seem like all we do it party, but we manage to see the sites too. Fairy Meadow beach is the beach about a 2 minute walk from my dorm room and we go to nap, tan, swim and see people whenever. Then there is North Gong beach which is a more towny and less campus east residential beach. With cute cafes along the road and the lighthouse and harbor to the right, there is definitely a larger crowd, but we enjoy the atmosphere a lot. Also next to North Gong Beach is the Rock Pools! These are so beautiful and cool, we love walking down to them for a waveless dip in the ocean. 

Wollongong also has a neat hike. It starts at Uni and heads to the top of Mt. Kiera. It starts off stairs and you think to yourself, “okay I got this” and then the stairs feel like they will ever end and then they do and it becomes a vertical climb complete with straddling fallen trees. The top was so satisfying to see and I will be doing it again soon. The mountain overlooks all of Wollongong and we are looking forward to seeing the sight at sunrise one time.