WEEK ONE

Sydney really is a beautiful city. There is so much to see and do, I’m quite thankful that I had this opportunity to live here for four months because I couldn’t imagine just being a tourist for one week!

As I mentioned in my last post, I am very much enjoying everything Australia has to offer. I want to treat this experience like a pilgrimage. I want to be so much immersed, that I will be walking and talking like an Australian by the time I get home in June! I know that is quite the exaggeration; however I hope you see where I am coming from, I don’t want to look like a tourist while I am here.

As of right now, I am living with a great family in Croydon. If you were to pass by my house, you wouldn’t think anything of it. Small, fenced in yard with what appears to be a mile long driveway. There is some bush lining the fence, and barred windows to protect from intruders ~ My first impression: I’m going to be living in a prison lol

But….looks can be deceiving. As you enter the home you are welcomed to beautiful wood flooring, gorgeous red brick, and an aroma of pasta that has been cooking all morning. The house is clean and tidy with not a crumb to be seen, and as you make your way to the back, you are greeted with a spacious back yard with pool! My roommate and I were very pleased by this grand entrance lol

My family has two kids, whom are 4 and 9, and very much like the idea of having two 21 year old men living in the house. I think my new Mom likes the idea of having some boys to rough around their kids a little bit too J

Well, to fast forward, I can safely say I can navigate my way around. I know which buses will take me to school, and which ones will lead me to the city. I also have found out that some buses don’t always follow their routes, and at times you need to get off before you find yourself farther away from home than you want to be.

I had my first spider experience Sunday as well. It was big and hungry. I tried to get a picture, but was too scared to get close. You can walk the spiders on leashes here they’re so big.  I’m positive I would have pooped my pants, if it blew into me!

On another note, I started school on Monday! I found myself with 12 other people who have a love for hip hop music and want to take it to another level. Yes, I am in a dance class. It’s hard, I can’t move the way some of these people can, and hopefully by the end, I will be in Step Up 5. I’ve found that I am completely out of my element at this school. I’m not talented in the arts, and everyone surrounding me definitely is in some way, so that is definitely humbling. I can’t “stand out” here by my talents, because they are only good back home! Haha

I finally got my number, so if you want to text me it’s 61 466 580 451

I still have a full week of classes but I feel good about everything right now! I am planning my trip to the Great Barrier Reef this weekend, and I will also be picking up my Surfboard this week too! I also was able to visit some true Australian pubs, including the oldest in Sydney, and I went to a professional basketball game! The Sydney Kings!

After the game, I went to the Paddy Market in Chinatown. You know I will be doing all of my souvenir shopping there lol But they have everything so it’s pretty sweet!

Next week I will be going to Featherdale Wildlife Park, which I will get pictures with the Koala’s and Kangaroos! I’m pretty excited!

Wish me luck!

Next week’s post will be about the 5 Reasons you’ll want to live in Sydney!

I miss you, and I hope to hear from some of you soon!

Australia in the Eyes of a Midwestern Kid

If you were to combine the City of Chicago, Los Angeles, St. Louis and Louisville from the perspectives of culture and attractions, you would have Sydney, Australia.

The city is broken up into main suburbs much like home, and its people seem to walk and talk with a certain confidence unknown to the average tourist. The buildings tower over luscious green parks and even the homeless men can be seen enjoying the golden rays of sun on a perfectly perched bench.

However, Sydney is nothing like home. The homeless all tell you to smile, because you are in Australia. The Crows sound like crying babies, and absolutely everyone looks good. I have spent four days soaking in every bit of Australia that I can, and let me tell you, I have yet to see one overweight person!

Don’t expect to even hear a siren during your stay. I was lucky enough to see a fire truck drive through the streets of Sydney, it was then that I realized that was the first siren I heard, and has been the last one as well. BTW, Fire trucks look like a red short bus.

Public transit is very nice so far. The trains are clean, the buses smell fresh, and you seriously do not need to worry about the person sitting next to you. Everyone is very friendly and approachable, and I would not hesitate to talk to someone if boredom was a factor.

Getting used to the road system is very different as well. Of course the driver sits on the opposite side of the vehicle, but they also drive on the other side of the road as well. Gas is called Petrol, and petrol is sold by the liter. 1.57 if that fits your fancy. 4 liters go to a gallon, and a tank can get quite expensive which is why I will not be driving during my duration! Lol

When it comes to Uni, Aussies don’t really stress about schooling the way Americans do. In fact, many Australians don’t see their GPA until after they graduate. In American terms, C’s get degrees. Lol The grading terms are different as well, considering the grading scale in nothing like the A-F system we have. In other words, I wish I had just gone to school here in Sydney. It takes 3 years to graduate, and all you really need is that piece of paper saying you finished your specific program of education.

Many Americans seem to have a hard time accepting the Mexicans who receive free health care, and all the benefits of being American. Well, in Australia, 40% of the population is of another culture, with most being Asian. So Asians are as to Mexicans when it comes to alienating a new country.

I will speak more about my host family as I progress, but right now I am excited to say I am staying with a great family in a neighborhood called Croydon. Croydon is a small village in the outskirts of Sydney, but fairly close to my school which is nice. The family is made up of two little boys, two cats, as well and Mr. and Mrs. Nair who are very kind. Mr. Nair is from Fiji, and Mrs. Nair is from Italy. As you can see, Italian and Seafood will be a very delicious diet J

I will not have as much internet the first few days I am here, so please give me some time to get going. I am still learning public transportation here in Australia, and I will be planning on purchasing a bike here soon too!

If you have any questions about Australia, feel free to ask me! I will be happy to find out the answer for you. I will be sharing my new phone number soon as well when I get that all set up!

Continue to follow on Facebook and Twitter and I will be posting some instagram photos soon!!!

Peace.

PS. Australian internet is terrible!!!!!!!!!

7 Days: Anticipation

Hello World,

7 Days. In 7 days, I will be losing one day of my life. Yes, the 19th of February will not exist as I will be flying into the future and arriving to my new home on the 20th.

Everything I have ever read about Australia is about to come true as I spend the next four months of my life there. I am anxious to learn, and furthermore be immersed into something other than anything else I have ever experienced before. I am probably making this sound a bit more exaggerated than it should be, but to shorten this all up, I am excited.

The past couple weeks have been good to me, and I couldn't be more thankful for the friends and family that have made it that way. But big things are still ahead as I continue to move forward!

Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to interview with the Kerry Wood Family Foundation for a summer internship. It actually went pretty well, and I am looking forward to hearing from them soon. Kerry Wood was one of my favorite players on the Cubs, and I am excited to potentially have the opportunity to support his foundation this summer.

Two weeks ago I also took myself to see the Hobbit, which was kind of embarrassing because I was the only person watching the movie. As I was leaving the show, I could see all the teenage security kids pointing and laughing as pushed my way through the spinning door. I hung my head low, and sped out of the parking lot in a hurry. However, I had the last laugh. I hope they enjoyed the peanut butter I put under their car door handles. Sucks to suck lol

Well, I also saw "Mama" with my brother, which was pretty good, and have spent a ton of time playing NBA 2k13, which has quickly become my favorite video game.

My friend Drew and I also invented a new sport. It's called "Jeep Boarding!" It involves a jeep, a plastic snowboard, a tow rope, some snow, and an empty forest preserve. Needless to say it was all fun and games until the forest ranger said it was time to leave :( Pictures can be seen at Mike Bruce Instagram! Feel free to follow for a visual journey through Australia!

Last week, I needed to redeem myself from my lonely experience seeing the Hobbit. So, a few of my buddies and I hit up Hooter's for some wings! I ended the night feeling pretty stupid, because our "slow" waitress completely played us all. Not only did she hang out with us the entire time we ate, but she gave some hope. Numbers and Instagram names were left on our receipts, along with generous tips, and that was the last we heard from her. I still had the last laugh tho. I hope she enjoyed the peanut butter under her door handles lol

The next few days will be pretty busy, because I still have a ton to do. Packing, applying for housing next semester, running for Vice President of PRSSA, house sitting. It's gonna be busy but I'm definitively ready for my next adventure!

If you haven't taken a look at my bucket list you should now! Let me know if there is anything you think I should add!
BUCKET LIST READ ME!

Oh. Bad news. Just found out that 50 % of Koalas have chlamydia. Great. Looks like the Aussies are having the last laugh.

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Love, Mike

5 Reasons Why You Need to Study Abroad

As a Senior in college, I can finally say that I was able to experience one of the most memorable journeys in my existence. After 21 years, I was able to do the one thing that I had been dreaming about since I was a kid; Studying Abroad. Now you may be just like me, but maybe you need a few more reasons to convince yourself that you need to go.If this is true, here are 5 reasons for you to see why you should take the plunge and just study abroad!

5. It's Affordable:
Believe it or not, most study abroad programs will still cost about the same per semester as your home university... including airfare and other add-ons. I found that depending on where I wanted to go, financial aid was still fully available. With further research, I was able to receive half of my student aid, which still allowed me build on the opportunity to study. So take a look at your options and talk to your financial aid advisor. They very much want to help you, and in my case I was able to work out a way to have some money to spend while I was in Australia..you could do the same!

4. It Works With Your Major:
You may be surprised to see that you may have more general education classes than you do core courses. Take advantage of this. I am a Public Relations major, and after looking at my degree audit, I found that I only needed 9 more PR credits...but 24 Gen Ed credits. So, I used this to my advantage, and worked with my advisor to get the credits I will take to transfer flawlessly towards graduation. Many programs are for your major anyways!! So why wouldn't you want to use that for your own good?!

3.Your Friends Are Doing It:
If you are like me, you have clicked through countless pictures of your friends on Facebook having the time of their lives in Spain, Europe, Africa etc. You probably have heard the amazing stories of their adventures, and perhaps you would like to be able to share your own stories with your friends and family as well. Now it's your turn!  Ask around, see where your friends and family have been, and start planning your own adventure.

2. Intercultural Experience/Networking
Depending on where you are traveling and what program you are going to study, you have a possibility to make some fantastic connections. Some of the best stories I've heard, are the ones that spontaneously include meeting random celebrities in an elevator and then connecting with them later on in the States. Or perhaps you are wanting to grow in your business or teaching experience. Employers like seeing this experience on a resume, so you can use this to your advantage. If you make a good impression in your new country, you might receive offers to work internationally! Of course it takes time, and you need to be passionate about whatever you want to do. However, opportunities are always out there, and it wouldn't hurt to establish great relationships because it can only help you in the long run.

1. You Only Live Once
Yes. I am using this acronym to prove a point. At what other point in your life are you going to be able to live internationally for four months without worrying about a mortgage, spouse, children and a career?! I honestly cannot answer this question, but maybe your parents can. You are at a point in your life where you can say YOLO and live abroad without worrying about things you will have to do after you graduate. You don't have to grow up just yet, use this opportunity to do something you have always wanted! So many people regret not taking the chance to study abroad because they didn't think they could do it. I'll be honest, it is a lot of work to go through the entire process, but trust me, it's 100% worth it and your future self will pick up the tab ;) YOLO!

So don't hesitate. Go to your Global Studies office or Academic Advisor and look at your options. You are in the prime of your life, why wait when you have a family or when you're retired? Take the chance now while you still can, and create an adventure that will last a lifetime!

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