By this point in my study abroad experience, I have become extremely comfortable as a (temporary) Bathurst resident. It has been fun to experience the culture shock and make wild guesses at what certain Aussie slang words might mean, but I have noticed that more often than not I feel as if I am home, not just a visitor. 
I wanted to provide a little glimpse into my daily life in the little country town of Bathurst. Below is a look into my current residence - a small yet sunny and airy room with a gorgeous view of the surrounding landscape. A couple of items on my dresser are worth noting - Arnott's Choc Ripples have been a crucial part of my diet as the only vegan cookies (aka biscuits) I have come across here. Of course, anti-itch cream has to make an appearance as a must-have item as well due to the vast amount of mosquitoes (aka mozzys) that come out with any bit of heat. 

I made the smart choice to live off campus with a large group of uni students and backpackers in a large building that once served as an orphanage. This decision allowed me to meet and make memories with people from countries all over the world, while learning the ins and outs of Bathurst from the locals. ​One of my favorite housemates is my landlord's darling dog, Grace, who is sporting her handmade pajamas here. 

Another housemate who has become a personal favorite of mine is Kendall, a sweet friend of mine who I have quickly developed a close friendship with. Our rooms happen to be right next door to each others, and our proximity has certainly catalyzed our ability to spend most waking hours with one another. Between studying and teaching each other our , we spend time driving about town,  finding foods to try together, and walking the local raceway, Mount Panorama.  

Speaking of Mount Pan, the raceway has become 

According to the "study abroad roller coaster" that I was introduced to prior to my departure from the States, I am due for a crash downwards into homesickness and culture shock sometime soon (although, it looks like the worst is yet to come). I am feeling the beginnings of the first descent here and there, such as when culture shock still pops up after I think it must all be over, or when I am reminded of the smallest of details about home that I never thought I would miss. For example, the price of $2.50 for a single avocado (on sale!) has caused me deep regret for the times I passed up a 2 for $1 sale back home. The pure luxury of choosing to go home for school breaks is not an option right now, even though those around me have already visited home numerous times in recent weeks. Finally, the accent barrier still occasionally requires excellent listening skills and guesswork on my behalf - but I must say that I'm becoming very good at this. 

Australia's gorgeous nature does not stop at the weather variations. I am constantly in awe of how clear the night skies are, how far I can see over the wide and flat landscape, and the many creatures I encounter day to day. Dozens of kangaroos live on the campus of my uni, coming out of their hiding places at night. I have joined my roommates on a couple of drives through campus to see if we can find an even bigger and more intimidating kangaroo than we saw last time. The bunnies, sheep, magpies and possums keep life in Australia interesting as well. My nights tucked in bed are always interrupted by a possum hissing outside my window, and my daily walks to campus would certainly not be the same without the squawks and songs of various birds (one even joined me for lunch once). ​

I'd like to mention a couple of highlights of the past weeks. I was able to venture outside of Bathurst a bit to spend time in the sun. I joined my housemate, Ashley, at a gorgeous riverbank called Flat Rock where we ditched the homework we had brought with us to soak in the sun and keep an eye out for snakes that might be warming themselves on the rocks. A very Aussie moment for me was indulging in my first real Vegemite toast, which I added avocado to in order to cut the taste a bit. I am slowly but surely getting used to the sharp taste of the spread, and might even miss it when I head home. I'm going to have to stock up on bread to try out the other classic meals here, such as spaghetti on toast and baked beans on toast (I'm still skeptical about these). Hundreds of other memories have been crammed in between the moments I share here, but words wouldn't suffice. 

It has been just over two weeks since I arrived in Australia, and I now feel that I have officially settled into my new lifestyle. I have tasted Vegemite, seen my first giant spider, fought Sydney's humidity, and have even been chased by a kangaroo. These two weeks have been a whirlwind of culture shock and pure joy as I have learned what it means to be a uni student in Bathurst.
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First of all, travel is very routine here. I have met many students who regularly travel home to work and visit family on the weekends, or choose to commute from out of town. This is very good news for me, because several invitations to visit other cities have been extended to me (which I fully intend to accept). In celebration of all the travel I have to look forward to, here is a photo of me on my last leg of travel to Bathurst, buried in luggage and wearing clothes that are much too warm for the humidity outside. 

Finally, I have learned to roll with the punches of learning a new dialect of English, orienting myself with a new town, and developing an understanding of the Australian culture. I have had to repeat myself and ask others to do the same more than ever before, but it has been such an enriching experience to laugh at the differences in slang and pronunciation and widen my vocabulary. Thankfully, Bathurst is a friendly town and has been so patient as I learn. It is also a gorgeous town, and I am lucky enough to have a breathtaking view right out my back door (see below!). To wrap it all up, Bathurst is home to a wide variety of Australians who have been drawn to the uni. I have met individuals from Newcastle to Perth, and have been able to broaden my geographical and cultural understanding of the country. 

Happiness is just the beginning of how I feel to finally be here. It is both relieving and overwhelming to be reaping the results of all of the work required to study abroad. Between visas and interviews and meetings and research, I have been working towards this moment for a year. It is incredibly comforting to be settled in and still confident that this was the right choice for me. The cherry on top is knowing that I still have months to soak all of it in. 

To start off, I'm Lydia, a student at Humboldt State University, spending my Spring 2017 semester in Australia. I'll be studying at Charles Sturt University to advance my studies in kinesiology and recreation. My passion is to further community health, and I believe that wellness in all forms is a right that everyone should have access to. Studying abroad is the perfect opportunity for me to immerse myself in a foreign community and learn to work alongside peoples from all walks of life - a valuable skill for my future career. 
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I have agreed to keep this blog while abroad to help spread awareness of Humboldt State's study abroad program, and to connect HSU students with my Australian campus. Beyond my responsibility to the school, I have grown excited to document my journey for myself. I hope to display a comprehensive view of my study abroad experience, and keep record of the memories I might forget otherwise. 

As this is my first shot at blogging, I will be entering this new realm with the help of a couple of tools. I am bringing an empty journal, my DSLR, and my iPhone along with me to Australia. I find it easiest to write my honest thoughts and emotions on paper, rather than typing it out, so I am bringing along a lengthy journal. ​I received this as a gift from my friend Hailey, and have saved it specifically for this trip. I have had my Canon T3i for almost three years, but haven't used it as much as I would like to. Hopefully, bringing it on this trip will be the perfect opportunity to utilize the photography skills I have bottled up since leaving my high school yearbook team. Of course, my Canon will have to stay behind on certain outings and trips, so I will keep my phone close to document those adventures. 
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​​This first entry was written from my hostel in Sydney, a few hours after landing in Aus. The weeks to come are going to be as busy and overwhelming as moving to a new country has been. I'm preparing for new classes, a new house, and an endless meet and greet with students, teachers, and new friends. Those are just the basic elements of this big change I am diving into, and I honestly can't wait to see what comes along with them.