Student Exchange: Fantastic Experiences in Adelaide, Australia

Posted on October 21, 2013 by admin

After a grueling 15 hour flight (a total of 30 hours in transit) to Adelaide, Australia, I had had it. I was tired, hungry, and generally looked certifiably crazy. Was it worth it? Definitely.

During the weekend before school started, I went with my exchange student Mikayla and her mom to a wildlife park where we saw tons of amazing Australian animals, such as kangaroos, wallabies, emus, and Tasmanian devils. I even got to hold a koala, which was awesome!

On my first day, I was pretty freaked out. I’ve been a student at LCC for practically my whole life, and now I had to start all over. What was I thinking? When we arrived at the Westminster School, I saw that all the lockers and hallways were outside, just like in the movies! Once I had met some of the people in my grade, I started to feel more at ease and enjoyed the lessons. The great thing about Westminster is that you get to be outside all the time between classes, at snack, at lunch, and recess.

All my classmates have been really friendly and curious about my foreign Canadian lifestyle, and all the teachers and students are really great. Australia has been an fantastic experience so far and I can’t wait for the new things to come. – Katina Gardilcic ’16

Australia Exchange: Happy to be in school at St Philip’s College!

Posted on July 31, 2013 by admin

Although it is summer, I am still in school! Even so, I am really happy that I chose to come to St Philip’s College in Alice Springs, Australia. We started off the exchange at a school camp called Mittagundi and I had a great time there. The camp was eight hours out of Melbourne by bus. That part of the trip was horrible because no one wants to be on a bus on a windy road for eight hours straight. Once we arrived at the camp they took all of our electronics and then we were told that the following day we would be going to the snow. The next day we hiked up three hills to finally arrive at snow level very late at night. We had to set up our tents and cook ourselves dinner. We spent two days there and then we hiked back down to the camp. We spent the rest of the week working on the farm. We fed the animals and cooked meals in the kitchen. We had to cook using absolutely no electricity! After a week we returned to Melbourne for the night.

The next morning we flew back to Alice Springs where I met the host family at the airport. We went on a bit of a driving tour and the first thing they showed me was the Todd River. The Todd River is not really a river because most of the year there is no water in it. The only time that there is water is when it rains and it only rains around four times a year! People say that if you see the river flood three times then you can be called a local.

When we arrived at the house we watched a movie and ate Tim Tams. We spent a couple of days off from school but we returned to school on Monday. I met everyone and had a tour of the school. I already knew most people because of the camp except for a few kids who did not attend the camp. I also met the other exchange students. We spent the rest of the week getting used to everything and making sure we liked all of our classes.

Anina, my exchange partner has a job like most of the kids here and had to go to a meeting on Saturday. So I went out with my friend Georgia instead. We walked around the shopping center until Anina was finished. After that we watched friends play netball. When all of our friends were done playing a bunch of them were going to go bowling and so they invited us but Anina had to work so I went alone. At bowling I met another exchange student named Tamsin from South Africa. The next day Anina and her family took me on a day trip to Simpsons Gap and Stanley Chasm so we decided to invite Tamsin to come with us. We traveled to Simpsons Gap, which took about 20 minutes. We then drove 20 more minutes to Stanley Chasm, where we hiked to the center of the Chasm. Then we returned to the cafe where Tamsin and I had our first Australian meat pies! The next day we went back to school and planned our trip to Ares rock. — Emily Bekins ’15

Student Exchange Melbourne: Time Flies When You’re Having Fun!

Posted on March 26, 2013 by dlevy

This trip has gone by very fast. I have already spent roughly four weeks here but it only seems like one!

This past week was my final week at Ballarat Grammar School because they have holidays. I went to the usual netball practice and training, we watched some movies and during the weekend we went to different landmarks in Australia. On Saturday we went to the wildlife park, where I saw kangaroos and koalas for the first time. Now I want to bring one home! I saw different kinds of crocodiles and snakes, even though I’m not a fan of reptiles. After that we headed to Sovereign Hill, which is like an isolated part of town where they have kept it as if it’s still in the 1800’s. You have to buy a ticket to get in and you get to go to different shops and houses to see what Australia’s history is like. We went to an old bowling alley, made some candles from scratch and then went to an old candy shop (or as they call it here, “lolly shop”) and got some different flavoured drops. Finally we went to an old mine tour to learn about a disaster that happened there in 1882, where 27 miners were trapped inside the mine. At night, we had a small gathering of Georgia’s friends and watched a couple of movies. On Sunday, we went down to Melbourne again with Georgia’s friends to go shopping. The Melbourne city is much more similar to Montreal then where Georga lives because everything is much closer together and city-like. I am now writing this on my last day of school in history class and I’m very sad to leave it all behind. I hope that my next 12 days here are as exciting as the past few weeks!–Arianna Galbraith ’15

Student Exchange Melbourne: Feeling at Home

Posted on March 21, 2013 by dlevy

This past week has gone by very quickly. On Tuesday, Georgia and I went to a movie “Safe Haven”. On Wednesday, I watched Georgia practice netball, which is a sport I had not heard of before in Canada. But I soon learned that it is similar to basketball, except the nets are different and you aren’t allowed to dribble. On Thursday and Monday, I helped her coach her sister’s netball team for community service hours every week.

I have adjusted to their school classes and activities and I received my own school computer this week. We take approximately the same classes, and even if Georgia is a year older than I am, we are learning around the same material. I was able to complete a math test and a SAC in religion class without trouble. I also started a project in textiles, which is one of the selective classes Georgia takes. I learned how to use a sewing machine and I am sewing a pillow with my name on it, which is more difficult than it sounds.

On Friday, we went to a relative’s home for a birthday party. We watched a scary movie and went home around 11 pm. On Saturday we drove to Melbourne, which is 30 minutes away, shopped all day and then went out for dinner. In the city, life is very similar to Montreal, especially the shopping complexes and dinner restaurants. The city reminded me a bit of Toronto and this made me feel very at home.

On Sunday, we went to Geelong beach and rode a Ferris wheel. Then we went out for lunch and ice cream and drove back home for dinner and movies. I feel more comfortable at this home than I did before and I’m hoping to create friendships with the girls at Georgia’s school and her family members. This trip is going by very fast and I’m excited to see what it will bring. — Arianna Galbraith ’15

Student Exchange Melbourne: The Day by Day Account

Posted on March 19, 2013 by dlevy

January 30^th, 2013

I arrived in Melbourne, after a very long flight, only fifteen minutes after my exchange, Patrick Quay and his family arrived back from their holiday in Japan. For the rest of the day I stayed home getting to know the family, house and environment.

January 31^st, 2013

In the morning I had time to sleep in. Later in the morning, I went to the local park to the cricket nets and learned how to bat, bowl and field with Paddy, and two other of his friends. We spent about 3 hours there training me to play. After cricket training we went to rowing. It was my first time rowing and I did not go on the water and just practiced on the rowing machines. That night Pat’s grandparents came for dinner and to meet me.

February 1^st, 2013

Today was the “first” day of school. It was just orientation and during the day we mostly helped the new grade 7s with everything they needed to know. After school I had my first cricket game and luckily didn’t have to bowl or bat, only field.

February 2^nd, 2013

In the morning, there was a rowing regatta. Because I was not rowing in the races, I helped the team assemble the boat and then got a bike to ride along with the boats and the coach. After the races we went back to the training facilities for more rowing and got home at around 5:00. We were really hot and jumped in the pool. That night we went to Paddy’s cousins’ house for dinner.

February 3^rd, 2013

This morning, it was family day at the local farm so Paddy and I went down and helped out. We cooked sausages on the barbeque and got to give them to all sorts of people there including a famous NRL player Bill Slater. When that was all over we went home and relaxed.

February 4^th, 2013

Today was the second day of school and there were actual classes. I met a lot of people and had trouble remembering everybody’s names. After school there was rowing and I went out on the water for the first time.

February 5^th, 2013

Today there was nothing special. There was school in the morning and nothing afterwards.

February 6^th, 2013

Today was the same as Monday’s schedule, school then rowing.

February 7^th, 2013

Today there was a huge swimming competition at school with years 7, 8, and 9 all swimming. There were individual and relay events and our house came 6^th out of 10. After a long day of swimming we had cricket practice.

February 8^th, 2013

Today there was school then there was a cricket game where I got to bat. I got a run but on my 3^rd ball, I was out stumped because no one had told me to stay in the crease after I hit.

February 9^th, 2013

Early this morning we got up and biked to rowing. We were there for 4 hours and while there we saw Paddy’s grandfather there and had lunch with him. We got home, went swimming and relaxed.

February 10^th, 2013

This morning we got up late and since it was a bit cooler today we decided to go to the movies with some friends. After the movies we went to go see a cricket game, Australia against the West Indies. Australia ended up winning. When we got home from the game Paddy had cousins over and we had dinner with them.

February 11^th, 2013

Today we had school and rowing. Other than that there was nothing special today.

February 12^th, 2013

Today there was school and nothing afterwards.

February 13^th, 2013

Today was a fairly relaxed day with school and then rowing afterwards.

February 14^th, 2013

Today there was school and cricket training afterwards.

February 15^th, 2013

Today there was a cricket game after school and we played the same team as last week. The game didn’t go very well as they were the top team but it was really fun.

February 16^th, 2013

This morning there was another rowing race and Carey won both races.

February 17^th, 2013

This morning we got up early to drive to Phillip Island. While we were there we stayed at a friends beach house. We went swimming and surfing all day long. Once it dark out, we went to go see the fairy penguins come out of the water and to their homes on the shore. We them drove home for school the next day.

February 18^th, 2013

Today there was school and we had a free afternoon because rowing was cancelled.

February 19^th, 2013

Early this morning before school there was a school house chapel. After school Paddy had guitar lessons so I went home and jumped in the pool as it was boiling.

February 20^th, 2013

In the morning there was a school assembly and as a special guest we had Emmanuel Kelly, who is the brother of Australian Paralympic champion Ahmed Kelly, come in to school. He talked to us about his life and how the smallest thing can change your life around as it did to his. He is paraplegic as well and was on X factor a few years ago. Since then he has become a singer and composer and has written a song to be featured in an upcoming movie. After school there was rowing and from rowing we took the train straight to the zoo where we ran a 4km fun-run through the zoo. It was great but there was not much time to see the animals.

February 21^th, 2013

Today was a normal school day with cricket training afterwards. For dinner Paddy’s aunt came over to say hi as she was in town.

February 22^th, 2013

Today after school there was a cricket game and we did very well. We only played the fist half today as it is a two week game but hopefully we will do just as well in the second half.

February 23^th, 2013

Today there was rowing early in the morning. Once we got home we went swimming and then relaxed until around 5:00 and then went to the park where we had a big barbeque picnic with other families.

February 24^th, 2013

This morning we got up early again to go on a 50 km bike ride. It was really fun but tiring. Later in the afternoon, there was rowing presentation were each crew would row past the boat club showing parents and friends.

February 25^th, 2013

Today was a normal day. We had school in the morning after rowing afterwards.

February 26^th, 2013

Today after school Paddy had guitar so I went home, went swimming and then practiced for my presentation the next day.

February 27^th, 2013

This morning Paddy had rowing at 5:00 before school and am I was very thankful that I didn’t have to go! I spent all morning practicing my speech that went extremely well. After school we went home and went swimming.

February 28^th, 2013

Today there was nothing special. We had school then cricket practice.

March 1^st, 2013

Today we went to zoo with the other exchange students from England. It was great. There were all the normal animals but there were also Australian animals like kangaroos, koalas, and emus. After our day at the zoo, we had a cricket game were we played the best team but didn’t do that bad.

March 2^nd, 2013

Early in the morning Paddy had a rowing race so I went to his mum’s dance class which was really hard to keep up with. In the afternoon we relaxed, swam and then went to the footy game in the evening. Footy is the Australian version of football and Carlton, the team Paddy goes for, won the game 124 to 54 against Fremantle.

March 3^rd, 2013

Today we slept in and stayed around the house until that late afternoon when we went to go see a soccer game. Melbourne Victory won the game 5-0 against The Newcastle Jets, which was really fun to watch.

March 4^th, 2013

Today we had a regular day with school and then rowing.

March 5^th, 2013

Today was another regular day. After school Paddy had guitar so I went home and went swimming.

March 6^th, 2013

After school I went to rowing and Paddy had a play callback. In the evening we went to Victoria Market, which is the local market where they sell fresh foods. We had dinner there and stayed to listen to music.

March 7^th, 2013

Today Paddy was sick with food poisoning so he stayed home while I went to school. Afterwards I went home and went swimming as it was boiling hot!

March 8^th, 2013

Today Paddy felt better and came to school. Today was also footy day at school and everyone was wearing their favourite team’s jersey. After school we went swimming again and relaxed.

March 9^th, 2013

In the morning every one slept in. Once every one was awake Paddy left for a rowing race, and I went to dance class with his mum again. Once dance was over everyone except Paddy and his dad drove to Lorne beach for the long weekend. Once we got to Lorne I went swimming with other friends already there and played lots of table tennis.

March 10^th, 2013

Paddy arrived just after breakfast and just in time to go down to the beach again. There were many waves so we brought down the surfboards and surfed all day. In the evening after the beach everyone made a giant “Slip n Slide” down the huge hill outside the house. The hill it was on is very steep and you could go really fast.

March 11^th, 2013

Today was Labour Day so there was no school and we got to stay in Lorne for longer. We were at the beach in the morning. We stayed there for lunch ad then started the long drive home. We got home at around dinner, and went to bed as we were tired and had school the next day.

March 12^th, 2013

Today after school was meet the mentor so Paddy and I had to stay at school. Once we got home we did our work and went swimming.

March 13^th, 2013

After school we had rowing, which was my last time rowing in Australia. Afterwards we relaxed and did work.

March 14^th, 2013

Early in the morning Paddy had rowing except he slept in a bit and by the time his carpool was there to pick him up he had just woken up. After school we had a few friends over for a leaving party as I only have two more days in Australia. I was a lot of fun and wish I didn’t have to go so soon.

March 15^th, 2013

Today was my last day at school. I brought an Australian flag for everyone to sign. I am very sad to leave as I only got to be with my new friends for such a little amount of time. I had a friend come over for my last night and to watch the footy pre-season final game.

March 16^th, 2013

In the morning I woke up around 7:00. Ate breakfast, put on my travel clothes and was driven to airport. At the airport my new family stayed with me until I went to security. They said goodbye to me for hopefully not the last time and I was off. –Alex Dimitrakopoulos ’15