Day 12

So my introduction to the university of Melbourne or Melbourne welcome as it is known here has come to an end. It truly was a great week. I now feel firmly in the swing of things and accustomed to what Melbourne has to offer. However the thing that I will take most from the experiences is not what I have learnt but the people that have met.
I had heard a lot about the friendly nature of Australians before coming out here but my expectations have been well and truly surpassed in the past couple of days. It did not seem to matter what we were doing or how tired we were but our hosts (Australian students already at the university), always had a smile on their faces and were more than happy to help. This feeling of the warmest of welcome form the locals continued after Melbourne week had come to an end.
On Friday morning I moved to my permanent place of resistance, Janet Clarke Hall (below) one of the oldest colleges on campus.

The few members of staff that I have met so far (not too many as returning students do not arrive until Sunday) have been superb. They have made me feel right at home despite the fact that I could not be any further away from what I would normally go home and that there is hardly anyone here.  
In the evening I went out with some of my friends that I had made during Melbourne Welcome and went to my first Aussie Rules game. As part of Melbourne Welcome we had taken part in an afternoon with the North Melbourne football club or the Kangaroos (crest below) as they liked to be called. During the session we were all given membership cards which entitles us to go to three roos games free of charge (something which I am sure would not happen back in the UK)


At the Etihad stadium I witnessed a great sporting contest. Although the roos lost quite heavily to fellow Melbourne outfit Carlton (10 of the 18 teams in the AFL or national league are based in Melbourne and the surrounding areas), had still have an amazing time. It was a first for me and I have to say I loved it. Even though the roos were the away side, the atmosphere was certainly friendly and not once did I feel unsafe (again something which, in many sports, can not be said back in the UK). I can't say I knew what was going on all of the time but I certainly feel now that I have a least a fair idea of the many rules and regulations which are part of Australia's national sport.


Over the next couple of days I have more in the way of introductions. I will be registering with my faculty and enrolling in my courses. I will also be taking part in orientation week in my college which we give me a chance to meet and get to know my fellow members of JCH. Once again on this trip I am very excited.