Classes and Colors

Class registration and enrolment.

On Tuesday I was finally able to enrol in my classes and create my timetable. At UniMelb, instead of just having two weekly lectures like we have at NYU Stern, we have to take a lecture (some subjects require more than one) and a tutorial every week for each class. I'm sure tutorials are extremely similar to recitations, but I'm looking forward to the change nonetheless! 

This semester I will be taking Management of Financial Institutions, Derivative Securities, Change & Conflict in Australian Society and Managing Conflict in Global Workplaces. Somehow I got the PERFECT schedule - two lectures and two tutes on Tuesday and Thursday, leaving Wednesday for reading/studying and allowing myself long weekends for travel! Perfect! 

I also received my student ID... I just wanted to have a decent ID photo for once in my life, but I guess it's just not my time!

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I still can't get over how beautiful this campus is.

I hate harping on how great the campus is here because I know for sure there are tons of great, pretty college campuses in the states, too. But coming from NYU and not having a campus and coming to this is just AWESOME. Paths between buildings, trees everywhere, pretty passageways, vines crawling up buildings... the list goes on. And of course, if you've spent four years on an actual campus (like this), I'm sure these are things so common that they're just taken for granted, but I love it. And I will cherish my short time here. 

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I'm sure this lawn will be PACKED when spring comes! And I can't wait! It's been a bit chilly the past couple of days, but warm weather seems to be just around the corner!

After checking out the Student Services Fair yesterday and getting tons of free stuff, including candy, a planner, brochures and this lovely freebie from STA, I decided to take a walk downtown and explore a little more. 

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More exploring!

Since it was a relatively nice afternoon, I decided to take a walk downtown. I just kept walking until I finally reached Federation Square. Based on what I saw, it seems as though the Square is mainly used for concerts and special events. I walked a little further and I came to the Yarra River. Since it was getting dark, I decided to turn around rather than cross the bridge and explore the park. That will be an adventure for another day!

On the far left of this picture, you can see the Spire of the Arts Center - it kind of reminded me of the Eiffel Tower!

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On my way to the river I also passed by Flinders Street Station, essentially the Grand Central Terminal of Melbourne. I love the color and design!

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My favorite part of my walk - Hosier Lane!

I love bright colors and I was in heaven while I was walking down Hosier Lane, just taking it all in. It's so interesting what these artists can come up with. 

If you don't wear a helmet, you get fined!

If you don't wear a helmet while riding a bicycle in Melbourne, you get a hefty fine over a hundred dollars. I honestly just thought this helmet vending machine was the coolest thing ever though! 

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My thoughts, opinions and observations so far.

• Food is EXPENSIVE here! While I could easily eat out every day in NYC and live off of Pizza Mercato's $4.25 two slices of pizza and soda combo every day of the week, that doesn't cut it here. Luckily, we found an ALDI in the center of Melbourne and I will finally have to figure out how to fend for myself and cook real food.
• NO SNAPPLE!!!!! If you know me, you know snapple is my most favorite drink EVER. While I have yet to see snapple at a grocery store, there is a little shop in Union House on campus that sells snapple - a steep $3.50 for a bottle though! That's like half my daily food budget back home!!
• On escalators, like in England, you stand on the left. It also seems as though the majority of people walk on the left on the sidewalks and such. 
• The birds are a lot prettier here! There are these stunning black and white birds on campus - they must be the equivalent of crows, but I think they're so pretty!
• I was taken aback when the cashier at ALDI asked to check my bag today before she rang me up, but it seems as though it is standard for clerks at stores to check your bag before you leave. It must deter shoplifting and crime, so I can't complain!

That's it for now, hope you enjoy the pictures!!

RMIT Village - My home for the next four months!