And the countdown continues!

I got my flight tickets in the mail yesterday! I leave in under 2 weeks!

After work this afternoon I'm heading to Vermont for the last time until next fall. I'm really looking forward to it but I'll definitely be sad to leave on Sunday. I can't believe I'm already beginning to say my "see-you-laters" (not goodbyes, at all).

Included with the tickets and itinerary was some information about what is provided for us upon arrival. AIFS (my program provider) will provide me with a weekly pre-paid debit card that works as meal compensation--so I will be spending little money on food while abroad (!). They ALSO hand out transportation (bus) passes upon arrival, which will save me loads of money getting to and from classes and the city (I've been reading that public transport in Sydney is extremely expensive). While they won't provide me with a cell phone, they will help me purchase one once I arrive on campus.

Upon arriving, all of us studying through AIFS will be taking a city tour around Sydney to get acquainted to the area. Apparently the heart of the city is a 30-minute bus ride from our apartment complex (we are all living on the same part of campus). ALSO, the campus is absolutely giant! I'll try to attach a picture of it once I'm not blogging from work (oops). We also have a mandatory meeting to get to know everyone in the program, including administrators, and we will be introduced to a number of Australian students and faculty who will, apparently, attempt to make us feel at home in our new... home (ah!).

Pre-Departure

My official study abroad countdown stands at 24 days. On February 4th, at 10:35am, I will be flying from Boston to Chicago to LAX to Fiji with my ETA in Fiji being 5:51am on February 6th. I'll be flying with the group of AIFS students that'll be studying abroad with me, so I'm not too nervous for that whole process... other than the longgggg flights, which may be a bit rough (i've also flown on 6 different planes in the last 10 days so my excitement level regarding flight is extremely low). I can't believe how quickly this waiting period is going by... it seems like only weeks ago that I decided on Sydney and filled out my applications (when really it has been nearly 9 months since I handed in the last of my application and 7 months since I was accepted!).

I finally applied for my student visa today and after a waiting period of about 45 seconds it was processed and accepted! As of this afternoon I am officially legal to study in Australia! Now my biggest tasks are to pack (ah!) and to read and study my Fiji lectures because I am expected to know them before arriving. I will be spending my first day in Nadi and then moving on to Suva for the week. There, I will be participating in a homestay with one other study abroad student. While in Suva I will be attending 5 Pacific Studies lectures and taking an exam worth 3 credits at the end of the series. During the week I'll also be visiting a Hindu temple and exploring the beaches. I believe that there are some other adventures planned, but I suppose I'll have to wait and see what exactly is in store!

On February 15th I'll be flying to Sydney and then I believe that I start classes only a couple ofdays later. As of now I am enrolled in Creative Writing, Australian Literature, and a cultural studies class called From Hula Hoops to Heroin Chic. Because of the 3-credit course in Fiji, I only have to take 3 courses while abroad in Sydney. Hopefully this will give me more time to go out, travel and explore.

I'll be sure to keep this updated as much as possible. Before I know it, I'll be halfway around the world!