Ashley, Laura and Caylee
September 14, 2023
G’Day Mates! Ashley, Laura and Caylee writing to you all here from Brisbane, Australia.
We are two weeks in to our stay here. Unfortunately due to blue card troubles we have yet to start placements. Fortunately, that issue has been resolved and we are on track to start soon! Our host here through Queensland University of Technology, Mallahai, has been so helpful and caring in creating experiences for us to do. So far we have had a University Campus tour, meeting with the Educational team at the university, lunch with some professors, attended some education seminars that professors have been kind enough to invite us to. We have also gone on a campus tour of our teaching campus (Kelvin Grove State College) and it a long one- the place is huge! We have met our partner teachers, we are all placed in our specialty areas- so exciting! We have explored museums and art galleries, all free here! Mallahai brought us to the state library here in which we did an indigenous tour, which gave us insight to the indigenous people of Australia.
Beyond the school we have travelled around Brisbane, to the Gold Coast, to Noosa and hoping for more sightseeing adventures! So far no koalas (unless you count the road kill we saw while on the bus) and no kangaroos. We are surprised that Brisbane is such a large industrialized city. We often take the city ferry up and down the river to get places- works just like a bus but instead of bus stops its wharves/ports. We are blown away at the transit here how many options and land it covers. There is always a train (big or small line), bus or ferry to take on every corner to every place. The big trains run from city to city which is nice and there are many small trains within Brisbane that run seemlessly underground for a large portion. Central of Brisbane is Southbank in which holds many main activities and tourist attractions such as the giant ferris wheel that Caylee and Ashley rode. As well as a Cantina bar our group enjoyed giant margaritas and cheap wings (its all we can afford its not cheap here…lol). Can’t wait to continuing exploring down under.
Culturally, we are able to integrate well into the scene here. It is very easy to talk to others apart from the slang and quick talking sometimes. The accents are great, everyone here is obsessed with ours and always want to hear us talk. We have encountered many tourists from all around the world (Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, etc). We have picked up mannerisms and common sayings. Did you know “Hows it going?” isn’t actually asking you how you’re doing… we realized this quickly after we said good how about you and were met with confused stares. It more means “what can I do/get for you”. Everyone here is quite lovely and helpful.
Needless to say, we are absolutely in love with the country and enjoying our time here! Look forward to reading about other’s experiences thus far.
