Thong Meas

November 2008 Update

It is time again to report my monthly life in Hobart. However, I think, the following detail will be considerably short.

Early in November, I had my semester examinations. I was so nervous because for one hand the exams were the first ones I had in Aussie, and on the other hand, in my only my particular case, they took places on three consecutive days. Nevertheless, I had completed them quite successfully. Even so, I have spent my time worrying about the coming result which will be released on this Friday.

In the mid of November comes two meaningful occasions in Cambodia. One is the National Independence Day which was on the 9^th of November. The other one is the enjoyable Water Festival which was celebrated from the 11^th to 13^th.  

Eventually the rest of the time is my vacation in Tassie. Also, as the weather is getting a little bit warmer, I could invest my time in looking around in Hobart and Tasmania. Moreover, in my plan, I am going to seek out some volunteer opportunities in this city.

October 2008 Update

The month of October is passing silently. When it comes to the time to report my life and progress, I feel somehow empty in my mind. It has been a busy time for me in October in regard to my study. On one hand I had to complete some assignments, and on the other hand I have to prepare for the coming examination which is held in next month.

I must say that it has been the busiest time for my study before stepping into my vacation. However, I did have a day-off to visit Tasmanian countryside. Rizky, the Indonesian peace scholar in Newcastle, came and visited Hobart during her spring break. Therefore, we two had a trip to Richmond town—one of the oldest towns in Tasmania—and spent few hours in a zoo nearby the town. We had relaxing time in that warm day.

Turning to our Hobart Peace Action Group, we have done some little things to fundraise for Afghanistan. The two females—Angie and Triny—made their ‘lovely’ chocolate muffins, and I and Sam prepared our ‘delicious’ spring rolls, and we sold our products to raise money!!! So far we have earned some AU$70 for our fund. The next activities to be done are under our discussion. Hopefully our group could contribute a little bit more to the fund.

I hope the many interesting things will come soon after I have finished my examination—when I have more time to enjoy the warm weather of Tassie spring and participate in some meaningful events and works I would like to.

September 2008 Update

For me, August ended with another special activity. On the 30^th of August, a meaningful party was celebrated. With an amazing name ‘the Red Party,’ its aim is to raise money for Oxfam Australia’s AIDS Orphan’s nutrition program in Africa. This great celebration attracted more than 300 University students and made more than AU$6, 000 in total. Luckily, I had an opportunity to contribute my little help—check party tickets at the entry gate. Great thanks to the team of UTAS medical students who initiated this charitable event.

My progress with Rotaract is smooth too. Just on this 23^rd of September, the initial group of Sandy Bay Rotaract club, including our Hobart Peace Scholars, successfully brought on a fundraising BBQ, with huge support from local Rotary club. It was just fabulous! More than AU$250 was counted after the two-hour BBQ, and the money was used to buy movie tickets for sick children in Ronald McDonald House in Hobart. Together, the BBQ has grabbed interests from many young students who are interested in becoming part of the Rotaract club. Hopefully, the club will soon be founded!

The most memorable journey during the past one month period that I must present here is a climb to top of Mount Wellington on the first Saturday of September. The trip was extremely exciting. I had experienced my first time ever in life with ice on the mountain top, and I had also pictured some splendid views of Hobart, its suburbs and surrounding towns. Although the way up to the top is somewhat tough, it is worth a try.

My study in UTAS is gradually coming to the final of semester, while there is only one month left before the examination period takes place. So, What I am keeping in my mind now is struggle harder to be prepared for the coming final assessment of my first academic semester in UTAS, Australia.

August 2008 Update

Another month almost has passed again. I think it is so short and rapid, though many things have occurred.

My first voluntary activity was done in the occasion of National Tree Day, on the 27th of July 2008. In the community tree planting event of that day many small shrubs and little trees of native endangered species were planted in nation-wide Australia. In Hobart, Tasmania, on that day, I visited one of the tree planting sites—wet land in Kingston and “got my hand dirty” with digging, planting, and watering new little environment “safeguards”. The most special and impressive feature of such a Tree Day is that you have a chance to “Get your hand dirty!” It provides an opportunity for community groups, children, councils to gather and “dig in to benefit the environment.”

Early in August our flat welcomed a new friendly housemate who comes from Korea. We three have stayed together in harmony for more than two weeks until now. He told us his experiences of traveling to more than 10 different countries, which inspired me to get on my future plan to explore different nations around the world. The nearest timetable might be one when we— peace scholars—take our journey to undertake meaningful summer volunteering programs in Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam. 

Yet there is still a period of time before it comes.

What I am facing now is my study load, with which I sometimes get into some troubles in managing time. However, all lecturers, university staff and student advisors are extremely helpful. I could always find help, support and encouragement when talking to them about my study and pressure. Though, university learning is promoted to be active and independent learning in order to equip student with lifelong learning skills. That means I need to work harder than ever before.

My new discovery in this month is “Rotaract”. I was introduced to it in a small meeting held in UTAS to bring young Tasmanian together to initiate a new youth club. Rotaract, founded by young adults aged 18 to 30 years old, is a well known network of Rotary which is an organization with many clubs created in more than 100 countries world wide. Each Rotraract youth club is community based. Thus, it is a precious opportunity for me to engage and learn Australian community work by involving in such a meaningful network.

Peace Action Group

The suggestion to nominate a reporter of group progress has not yet been discussed. 

Here, we have talked about many possibilities, but not all could be carried out. The first week of our fundraising activity yielded a result of about 8 dollars. Though, the following weeks we have done nothing. Now it seems every other thing is under construction. However, we will hopefully continue our mission.

Cheers! 

July 2008 Update

It is a long way from Cambodia to Australia, which I have never dreamed I could visit this wonderful country in such a nearest future.

Nonetheless, I am here in Australia now.

When the Welcome Orientation program holding in Sydney was overlap in time with my host university’s orientation, I was so disappointed since I missed the best chance to meet all other Peace scholars from elsewhere of the world.

Though everything started quite smother when I came straight earlier to Hobart, Tasmania. Here I have an interesting time. I have experienced the cold weather and the cleanest and freshest air Tasmanian people considered. I had my first time travelling by public bus in the city, and also had an unforgettable experience when I didn’t know how to get the bus stopped when reaching my destination.

I and Sambath have rented a flat located 20 minutes walk away from the University, and in the neighbourhood live a family from Saudi Arabia.

I came to the University since my first day in Hobart. In the Uni, I have met lots of other Cultural and Linguistic Diverse student from a range of countries. In the first day, I made friend with Paith, an Indian IT major student, who have no idea where my country-Cambodia-is. Besides, it is always not a surprise when people say I am the first Cambodian student they have ever met in UTAS. Nevertheless, in an English Assist workshop for International Student, I met a Danish girl, Louise, an exchange student who has ever visited Cambodia and stay there for a couple of months. Furthermore, I and Sambath have met an Australian elderly who is helpful and always provide assistances to Peace scholars who come to Hobart.

In the University of Tasmania, I was placed in the Faculty of Science, Engineering Technology, in the School of Agriculture. However, despite unit in the field of agriculture, I have enrolled in other unit in economics and the study of government.

Crop Health Management, Consumer Behaviour, Foundation of Economic Policy and Regional Development Policy are units I have chosen. The most interesting and beneficial units are Economic Policy and Regional Development, since they will be helpful to me as being a future policy maker of my country. In my views, Regional Development will be a great case to consider in order to develop Cambodia. What’s more, I was surprised when I noticed the benefit of the subject “Consumer Behaviour” to Charity organization, as its basic concept of who will involve in charity activities is applicable too.

Our study is now in a smoother progress, but it is just a starting point that we can sit down and discuss our Peace Action. There is no further progress. Our group has generated an initial idea during the time in Sydney, though.