T-minus 12 days until I am flying from JFK in New York to Los Angeles where my 16 plus hour flight takes me to my new home for the next four months. I can't believe how close it is getting to embarking on my journey, my excitement is soaring but so are my nerves. These next couple weeks are going to feel like 12 years before I leave for my trip (which is a good thing because I still have so much to do). Most of my days have been spent working my day job as a waitress, trying to make as much money as I can to save up for all the expenses I am about to accumulate. Working and spending time with my family and friends is how I spend most of my days, which is outrageous to think how different my days are going to be in less than 2 weeks! How insane ?! Being independent came at a young age for me and I always enjoyed taking care of others as well as myself. I am not necessarily worried about cooking for myself or cleaning, as I am a girl and no slob, unlike my brother. I am actually excited about having to grocery shop abroad and being able to cook myself meals everyday. I do not have a meal plan at La Trobe University so I will be making plenty of my own food and also trying local cuisine around me. Doing research on your place of study (what my last blog was about, take a look!!!) and help you learn lots about what you are about to see, eat, learn, and experience. Australia is known for their delectable coffee and Melbourne is home to plenty of cozy cafes and I hope I get to visit as many as I can. I am a coffee girl to the bone so I truly can not wait to try what they call in Australia a “flat white”. Imagining myself wandering the streets of Melbourne and my university campus, I start to think of myself being a local for approximately 4 months (lol). Walking into my everyday local cafe and ordering my regular, feels natural and I can not wait to start on my Australian everyday routine. I am eager to know what my life is going to be like and how accustomed I will get to the differences between Aussie and America. In just two short weeks I will be typing my blog from my dorm room at La Trobe University or at a little, quaint, downtown shop instead of at my desk in my bedroom. I wonder how my classes are going to be run and how my living accommodations are going to turn out. So many questions, but only time will tell. Things are going to change drastically whether I am ready or not. Being uncomfortable is something Susquehanna prepared us for. They warned us to be cautious in all situations as we tourists are the outsiders. Taking the time to learn, adapt and appreciate the culture you are going to experience while abroad is what can help you not feel so uncomfortable or out of your element. Always remember to try new things and take on new adventures and challenges but also remember to stay safe and true to yourself, no matter what. Understanding another society does not come overnight but with knowledge, tolerance, and cultural encounters one learns to understand. I myself, am craving this unknown australian culture and society and I am getting the chance to experience and can not wait to tell my readers all about it. The culture shock is going to be unreal. Stay tuned!! Xoxo, Tori Landon
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About the AuthorCome be apart of my journey while studying abroad in Melbourne, Australia! Archives
May 2020
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