I’m lost for words (weird, I know) to describe just how incredible this place is. Student life (for a firstie in orientation week) is absolutely flat out, with no time to sit and think, and I love it. Every single person on campus is approachable and friendly, happy to answer silly questions from an Aussie first year. I love the people in my house, I love my buddy, I love my second year and I love how easy it is to make friends. On the first day I was immediately swept under the wing of my buddy Deepika (from Mauritius) and she showed me around, introduced me to awesome people and answered all the questions I had. We went for a walk and got lost in the dark on the first night, which will always make a good story, and anyway, it’s about the journey, not the destination.
Thursday: The next morning as I sat down in the caf for breakfast, the person next to me (who I’d never met) turned and said “You’re Bella from Australia.” I laughed, and said I was, and he’d recognised me from Instagram which I find hilarious. (After continuing the conversation for a bit I remembered him as Noah from the Netherlands (rolls off the tongue better than Bella from Australia doesn’t it?) and we chatted about grapefruit pros and cons). We had a presentation the next morning welcoming us to campus and introducing all the teachers. We then went and met all the ones who would be teaching the subjects we were taking. We discussed courses and what would suit us, and got to know the teachers a bit. After lunch we walked around to the marina and bought some ice cream and ate it watching some harbour seals play with each other. That night we all met to walk out to a clearing in the forest and we all lay down to look at the stars. Everyone was silent and it was such a special moment. Apparently it’s a tradition that’s been going on since the Year 1 people did it for the Year 2 first years, and now the Year 44 people have done it for the Year 45’s. Friday: We started the morning with placement tests to determine which English and maths classes we should be in for the year. I think I have to be in English as a second language - I haven’t written an essay in so long and we only had 1/2 an hour :/ Straight after lunch we did a bike test and I was the only girl who made it to the top of the hill (thanks for the training Dad)! And then we had a swim test and I didn’t drown so that’s a plus. After dinner there was a European bonding session and since I’m not European but I’ve pretty much only made friends with Europeans I decided to go anyway. We then had our first campus party and it was pretty fun, although it was super hot in the common room so we all ended up just sitting outside. Saturday: We walked out to Matheson Lake in the morning and found a cool jump rock and I think nobody will be surprised that I jumped the most times. Then we walked further around the lake and went to a bigger cliff that we jumped off which was awesome. When we got home we did a couple more bay jumps, and then after dinner and a shower, we watched a movie. A horror movie. I hated it. And I think Noah (Netherlands) and Asia (England) did too because I couldn’t sit still and i probably bruised them every time something scary happened. Sunday: Buddy day in Victoria, we basically just walked around, bought some school stuff, tried bubble tea and had Indian food. Got confused by an ATM, saw an Australian (AUSTRALIAN!!) busker who was amazing, and I was spoken to in Dutch, followed by a look that said ‘why don’t you understand’?!? Monday: Basically slept all day. After dinner I went to the LGBTQ+ open bonding which everyone was invited to, and it was super fun. Tuesday: Started the morning with Gumboot dancing which was really hard work but really fun, and then we went into Metchosin and weeded an old lady’s garden. After lunch we went on the boat out to Race Rocks which was amazing. We learnt about the environmental-ness of the island, and the Ecological Reserve rules. After dinner we had APAC bonding (Asia-Pacific (the only bonding I’ve been to that I’m technically meant to be at (I went to European and LGBTQ+ as well))), and then cultural speed dating which was a lot of fun. Wednesday: In the morning we headed out in a canoe in our rotation group. We paddled to the edge of the inlet, and when we were out there a whole pod of orcas swam past, blowing and jumping. It was definitely one of the coolest things I have seen in my life! In the afternoon we didn’t do anything, and after dinner we’re going to have a pyjama party in the common room. Check out the photos of Race Rocks that I’ve put up, I haven’t taken many at all since I got here. Here’s one of where I’m sitting right now writing this. Love to everyone x
4 Comments
Cece
5/9/2018 12:34:42
Ahh so that's what you meant by "half posted"
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Bella
6/9/2018 07:58:46
Oui
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Paula
6/9/2018 21:57:15
I've just been catching up on your blog. Love the mother nature and first nations stories. 😍
Reply
N & M
7/9/2018 14:32:12
It all sounds too amazing for words. Lucky you.
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Hey!I'm Bella. I love writing about all sorts of things, and here are a few of them for you to read. I hope you enjoy :) Archives
April 2020
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