Liah John Kaltoi
September 2008
Update
G’day Mates! Wow….I have
familiarize myself with some Aussie slang!
My friends told me to
eat ‘vegemite’ to become an Australian. I find it a joke, as I hate
vegemite, but I like milo! So I bet I have to drink and eat a lot
of milo to be an Aussie! Also, I eat out at ‘maccas’ once in two
weeks! You know what a ‘maccas’ is? Find out!!!
Anyway, this is my
second monthly report and believe me, I just got so much to share
with you that I have no idea where to start from.
OUCH!!!..........
Firstly, the weather is
getting better. I just love it. No more of hugging the heater while
sleeping till daylight. The sun is out everyday with a temperature
of 17 degrees which is just awesome for someone who comes from a
tropical area. I could not believe the flowers that bloom. They are
so beautiful! I get carried away by looking at them as I travel on
the train to the city. They are so wonderful to look at as they
bloom along the railway and people’s yards.
Studies are great but
there are just so much readings to do. Doing sociology at any uni
around the world is all about heaps of readings. Its not too bad
anyway as it means skipping lectures and catching up right? That’s
a joke.
I have made discussion
friends in all my sociology classes so I find the courses fair and
square. I have to play my part and that means time management on
studying, chatting online with friends, partying and just being
myself backstage, sleeping or snoring.
I have had wonderful
times with other people lately. I spent last weekend with family
friends at their place. We had a birthday party for their daughter
who turned 32. It was nice to be with new people who are my family
friend’s friends. So there goes the chain of friends. We exchanged
numbers and email addresses and have been emailing each other
since. On that Sunday, the couples I stayed with had a rowing
lesson at the Albert Park Lake, so I had to take care of 2 fluffy
dogs for about 3 hours. We had a walk around the lake. It was fun
being somewhere new by myself with animals!!! Luckily they did not
get me embarrassed where people hang out…..
The student village
where I live, have also organized tours for the international
students. There were about 14 of us who signed up for a chocolate
tour in the city however all could not make it on that date so the
residence manager and I had to go there alone. Well, I do not
regret it, as I had sooo….. much fun and chocolate to eat. Any
chocolate you can think of, I had it all! Yummy……Places like Koko
Black and Haighs were visited.
A cooking class was also
organized on a Thursday afternoon for villagers. However, there
were only 7 of us who were able to make it. Four Uni staff took
their time off to teach us how to prepare healthy, cheap, easy
meals. The best part of the class was the food tasting. We had to
taste, actually ate, about 7 different dishes that was cooked. I
love it!! In addition to that, we were given food samples like
cornflakes and chocolates and healthy nut snacks to take back home
for free. It was a week ration for me!!
A party out with friends
organized by the Melbourne Peace Action group was a time to
remember here in Melbourne. The Melbourne Peace Action group had to
raise funds for the Afghanistan project. It was the first time ever
to meet other, actually only 3, Peace Scholarship recipients. We
met at the hallway of Victoria University at Flinders street. We
sold tickets for a Brazilian Latina Fiesta to friends at our
various uni which is a great success. My friends are still talking
about that night at Copa Cappanna!! It was awesome dancing salsa
with different cute boys at the dance floor till 2am. Anyway, we
enjoyed ourselves more than we missed the train…
Last but not least, was
the memorable dinner I had with the Peace Scholarship manager,
Eleanor Rivers and her colleague, Carlie Blake and other Peace
Scholarship recipients. As I have said, I missed the orientation in
Sydney with other Peace Scholarship recipients so I did not meet
the Melbourne group till that night. We had a good time introducing
ourselves and enjoyed a wonderful dinner paid by Eleanor. I love
that gathering and wish there are more like this in the coming
months before we all depart to our various countries.
To conclude, I am
enjoying every moment of my time here in Melbourne. The studying,
partying, tours and extra classes are all new experiences for me
here. Sometimes they just carry me away from reality but I know my
priorities!! A little bit of everything in a semester is just what
an exchange student will expect aye? What do you think?
All the best in whatever
you are doing!!
Liah John
Kaltoi
August 2008
Update
Hi!! I am an International Exchange Student
studying last year sociology courses at Swinburne University of
Technology.
I arrived in Sydney on the 26th of
July 2008. Looking back through my diary today makes me wonder what
I did throughout a whole month. It was just like a week ago since I
arrived. Surely time ticks!!!
I thought I would never make it here to study.
Actually, I was granted the Global Peace Scholarship for the first
semester this year but unfortunately could not get a student visa
in time. It was then waived to this semester. I had so much
difficulties applying for a student visa again for this semester
but believed with my whole heart that I would be granted one. It’s
certainly true that ‘where there is a will, there is a way!’
I was called on Friday 25th of July,
late in the afternoon to collect my student visa before the DIAC
office in Port Vila closes. It is difficult for me to explain the
feeling I had that time. Something I was waiting for about a year.
I was nervous, excited and confused as I had booked my flight
tickets to fly on the next day.
When I was given my passport with the student
visa, I could not help myself but was crying in front of Evelyne of
DIAC who had helped me through. I knew it would be a journey of a
lifetime. Something I and my friends and families have ever dreamt
of. Something that would change our lives forever!
Saying goodbye to my families at the airport
was so sad but the flight attendants kept me smiling through the
flight.
The first ever Australian experience was when I
arrived in Sydney at 8pm that night. I could not walk properly and
was mumbling words. I was shivering. The place was very, very cold.
I believe it must have been a negative degree. I regret what I wore
that night. I was dressed in a tropic casual wear.
My first days in Sydney were exciting. I get to
meet gorgeous family friends who we went shopping for warm clothes
and things I’d ever need in University. It was also when I realized
how Australian culture is very different to ours and was
interesting to learn about. We visited some famous places in
Sydney. It was really a life-time journey!
After four days in Sydney, I had to fly down to
Melbourne. I was told by friends that it would be colder here
compared to Sydney, but the weather on that 29th of July
proves them wrong! It was sunny and the place was a little warmer.
However, to my surprise after I was shown where I would be staying
for the next six months, it’s started raining and the temperature
quickly dropped by about 5 degrees. I could not sleep the whole
night. Actually, I hugged the room heater whole night. It’s always
warm and greener on our side of the globe!
The excitement of studying abroad and
university life begins on the orientation week. I got to meet other
Australians and International students which came from different
lifestyles and cultural backgrounds. They even speak different
languages. It’s really an experience for me interacting with
different races, not to mention the four Asians I live with in our
five bedroom apartment.
Classes have started, and I have had a great
time interacting with class mates, lecturers and tutors.
Assignments are due soon so I have been busy lately, but have also
plan ahead sightseeing adventures with friends. Places like Mt
Buller and the Great Ocean Walk are a must-go place for us to
visit.
Since I arrived in Australia, everyday has been
a learning experience for me. I am still looking forward to what
the next four months will be like, but I will have to make it a
time to remember with friends and make it an enjoyable one while
studying. I could say it’s also a ‘holiday’ for me in one
package!
To the Peace Scholarship Program staffs, I
thank you for the opportunity you have given us - the Peace
Scholarship recipients. Steve Wozniak has said, “Wherever smart
people work, doors are unlocked”. What you have done is all about
unlocking doors and creating opportunities for us and our
community. I have to believe that all of us together – smart
people, caring about other people- can unlock many doors. We have
the potential to make a real, positive impact on our world. Let us
start this second semester of university committed to doing all we
can to make that difference.
Good luck to all the Peace Scholarship
recipients for this semester two of 2008!!
My Advice: Be prepared, you never know what
will happen!!
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