July 20

We woke up early and headed to campus for our International Students Orientation. It was in a large exhibition hall and they had an official Welcome from the Chancellors, etc. Then a couple informational talks about student services. There was a funny speaker who tried to introduce us to Aussie culture and he made a few jokes and did a participation game to see how many of us would acclimate well. We were all asked to stand and he narrowed it down by asking us to sit based on responses to various questions. 1. Remain standing if you like beer. The few that did sit got some snickers. 2. Sit down if you are in a serious relationship. We looked around and he confirmed my thoughts, “I’ve just shown all of you standing who the other single people are that like beer! Make a mental note to meet these people later!” It went on for a few more questions and I think we passed swimming in the ocean, but had to sit when we did not play organized sports on a weekly basis. The few that were left got movie passes or something. Then there was a mixer downstairs with refreshments. We did not meet anyone notable. We walked around, ran a couple errands, ate some lunch and then went to a 2 o’clock session called “Safety Down Under” about being careful out on your own, and a quick introduction to all the deadly, poisonous creatures that live in Australia. Most fatal were snakes and spiders. We stayed for a seminar on Working and then went home. We ordered take-away from the Fish and Chips place about a block from our house and it was actually pretty edible considering how cheap it was!