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Brisbane-Bound: Pre-arrival Thoughts

Follow my adventures "down under" in Brisbane Australia, while I study abroad on the other side of the world

Anna Gibson

Feb 07, 2017

Southern Charm

Australia Studies Centre

As some of you may know, I will be traveling halfway across the world to study abroad very soon. In less than two weeks I will be going "down under" in Brisbane, Australia.

I will leave all that I know and love to live with a new family, take courses in another country, and experience a hemisphere I have never been to. I am so excited about this adventure and how it will change me as a person. I will be journaling as much as I can on this blog.

I'll be joining 24 other American students, from all over the United States, to take a 14 hour flight from LA to Brisbane. From there we will immediately begin orientation activities in Brisbane, a city the size of Houston, a little smaller than Chicago.

From there we will explore our surroundings for a few days before meeting our host families. We will be living with them for about 15 weeks, before leaving for Sydney when classes end. We'll get to see a little bit of Sydney before heading back to America. During my time there I will be taking four classes at Christian Heritage College in Carindale, a suburb of Brisbane.

The classes include two classes about Australia specifically, as well as the equivalent for Evangelical Theology and Ancient Philosophy. I am eager to learn in a completely different culture, on a completely different continent. Throughout my travels I will be going on program scheduled trips, volunteering, and interning for the university.

There are many things I have to look forward to:

-the beach

-taking classes again

-Australian accents

-new friends

-learning and living in a whole new culture

-not having to work 3 jobs while I'm in school

-going overseas for the first time

-visiting the Great Barrier Reef and the Gold Coast

-living with a different family

-public transportation

-experiencing summer, fall, then summer, fall

I do have high expectations for my experience, and I know that it may be a little different from what I expect, but I know it will be both a rewarding and life-changing experience. I will miss so many people, but I have to take my chances because I know it will be worth it. God has provided in more ways than one so that I can go on this study abroad. I am thrilled to be making some new friends from around the United States and Australia, as well as experiencing life from another domain.

To keep updated on my travels follow my blog and subscribe to my YouTube channel!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Brisbane-Bound: Pre-arrival Thoughts

Follow my adventures "down under" in Brisbane Australia, while I study abroad on the other side of the world

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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