A soph. in college (averaging a 2.7 GPA through year one), I have begain working towards studying abroad a year at possiblity Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia in the winter/spring of 2005, if I can til Christmas. It's been a dream to move Sydney, and this is the time to find out. However, costs are a concern (financial aid, travel/spending costs) and telling my parents(will miss them as well, and family and my best friend home) (they'll support it, with time, it's just a long time and a long ways away). I realize I need to break away from my school, and this area. I am planning on getting a jaw prothesis, or a surgery, which might have me looking at taking the fall of next year off completely (it's a good healing process), and then head over the Pacific if I get accepted. It will also allow me the summer to work, save some money through the summer and fall, and give my surgeons enough time (have to see two doctors first).I need a change of faces, environment and to be happy this year. People piss me off here at school. Here is an example of a convo on AOL IM tonite with a kid that annoys me as heck (I am "B", he is "A")

A: Dude...I have so many ideas and thoughts...like): I want to do a docuementary on college life and decisions based on values that college students have
and then contrast that in the same docuementary with the lives of homeless ppl and their values
college students are generally supposed to be smart and have bright futures and the homeless are generally seen as the opposite, yet they may be good ppl too that are just as smart or smarter and they're valeus may be the same as or even more morally upright than many college students
A: like a clip of a student saying this food is horrible and throwing the food at the cafeteria out then a homeless guy digging in the dumpster for the same food
A: Also a lot of metaphors and symbolism with twists of irony
A: a college kid blowing $$ on alcohol and skipping class then a homeless person pan handling and buying a sandwich and using the newspaper which the student thru out for a pillow
B: ok
B: why you so anti-college kids?
A: the film would show that there is little difference between people in society...but life circumstances and mental illness keep some people from being accepted
B: first part make senese, but not sure what you mean by
being accepted
A: not anti-college kids....I'm anti-self-centered people who are shallow and narrow minded the college student is asymbol for hope, but it is hope to the student to exercise free will to contribute and help others
B: not sure what u mean by that
B: you have to take in account
A: homeless people are oftened shunned and excluded from society as are many
B: you have shallow and narrow-minded everywhere though
A: the student has opportunity and choice it is up to them to live good lives ...homeless don't have these opportunities
B: yes
A: that's my point
B: but everyone knows that, that's why many are here
A: the college student has the opportunity and choice NOT to be shallow and narrow minded... but many choose to be anyhow and take their lives for granted
B: shallow and narrow minded how?
A: did you go to the date rape talk to night
B: no, that was only for people in freshman orientation
B: which is a freshman/transfer student thing
A: it was for anybody
A: I went
B: ok
B: I was told it was for freshman orientation
A: they seek instant gratification are selfish in their choices, immature in their actions
A: well i looked into it...
A: who told you
B: a ra here
B: plus I had class anyways tonite
A: oh well
B: but remember, college students here are young, we aren't full-adults yet
A: that changes
A: we grow and learn
B: then they should treat them like kids
B: maturity sdoesn't have anything to do with morals
A: we aren't kids though either
A: college is a place of "transaction"
A: transformation you mean
B: yeah sorry
A: well...some seek to transform themselves others do not
B: you really can't "seek" to do it, it happens naturally, you make miskates, and learn from them
A: you can make conscious decisions to be a good person and treat others well
B: yeah
B: what made you inspire this though, just curious
A: b/c I see girls getting drunk and sleeping with random guys....people not respecting others or thinking only of themselves all the time
B: ok..but that's in all of society, not just college
A: and I've met criminals that are better people
A well maybe society is fucked up then
B: its been fucked up for hundreds of years
A: maybe the culture is lost ina materialistic selfish woorld
A: who would you know we've been here leass than 25 yrs.
A: how would you know
B: look back through history
A: we don't know what it was like 30 yrs. ago
A: morality in the college culture has changed I've spoken to professionals about this
B: professionals?
A: psychologist of Human Development, and a PH.D in Philosohpy with a background in sociology
B: ok
A: changed?
A: how many students that are at ---- would want to volunteer at ------
B: Idk
B: it's not for everyone
A: youcan count them on your fingers
A: or with the homeless or elderly or kids
A: who would do it if they didn't have to for a class or requirement
B: Idk
A: I'm just of a different mind then many of the young ones here
B: exactly...your 25 (right?) comparing yourself to a 18/19 year ol
A: I need to go to bed
B: d
A: like I said I wasn't that way when i was 18/19 or even 15
B: time for bed though
B: were in college when you were then?
A: what?
A: ??
B: you said it wasn
B:wasn' t this way when you were 18/19 and 15
B: didn't know you were in college then
A: I was when i was 19... and I was more mature thanthe freshman when I was 15
B: ok

this kid is pissing me off...and wanted to hear your feedback...
My other friend since breaking up with her b/f has acted like a slut without the sex and a major tease, never takes responsibility for when she screws up and blames it on others, the other kid is anti-japanesee and thinks he is the king of everything and tries to be smart when he is not funny and dumb, and the girl's friends are immature cause they "don't know him well, but they think he will rape her (they were flirting the night we went out, and this was two days after we went out, and she was doing the flirting more, and he is a good solid guy). It's just that they ALL changed this year. I got a great hall this year, good weekend nites drinking, 3-way xbox halo nites, we all share and joke things.

I just want to hear what you guys think, and feedback on everything. It just seems I am confused in things, alittle. We have an educated, well-though community, I like to hear your ring on things. I am a a nice, easy-going guy, but I like to explore and "leave behind" what I see as a waste of my time and people I don't want to be associated with.

Um dump them all. Just because there crap in the world, doesn't mean it has to be sittin in your shoes.

A couple of thoughts . . .

If you have a chance to and would like to study abroad, do whatever you can to make it happen. Even if it means taking up a part-time job and scrimping on the luxuries (damn games!). It's a heck of an opportunity while you can do it. However, don't do it as a way to run away or get away from these people. Do it because you WANT a chance to experience it. (And it sounds awesome.)

Surgery . . . OW. Good luck with that.

It doesn't sound like you enjoy the company of those folks you mentioned very much (can't say I blame you). If that's the case, don't spend so much time with or around them. Life can pose too much negatives and there's too many positive things to do and look forward to to waste any time dreading the moments you'll have to be around those folks you do not enjoy the company of. I don't mean, y'know, be rude or be an asshole and hope they go away. It's just not necessary for you to persuit a relationship with these folks if you do not enjoy their company. Let them be as they will be and you be yourself. Don't tie yourself to these folks just because they're close by and don't let their presence spoil your environment. Don't feel like you have to hang out with these people just because they're near. In these days and age, physical proximity doesn't mean crap. Find activities to do that doesn't need these people. Hell, go do things by yourself if there isn't anyone else around that you enjoy the company of. Eventually, other relationships will develop based on your other activities and then you can enjoy your time with those people instead of suffering your current group of "friends".

By the way, from that log, you sound like a open-minded person who's a good listener. Don't let negatives influences change that.

Thanks...

Surgery is not new to me. You could write a book on me. If you noticed, Its a major one (and a good one, besides the actual few days when it happens).

I dreamed about going to Australia after graduation to live and studying abroad, this just kinda "motives" me to actually start working towards it. I want to experience it, and see if this is what I want without a long-term investment in my future. If do fall in love with the city and country, then expect me to file for immigration after graduation from college. Attleast when I do, I been their, and am comfortable and KNOW its a happy, right decision for me. I starting to get alittle excited about meeting the study abroad coordinator for our first meeting next week of all the possibilities.

Also wanted to added some things. I also decided that I will not be so "caring" of people in tahat way. It's a bitch to go out with the few good people, cause the other people get mad or unhappy (or have to sneak out) if we don't invite them. I just decided that I won't be mean, but just ignore them.

Just wanted to know if anyone hear been to Australia and Sydney... I like to hear about experiences, costs and living. Plane ticket will cost me around $2k for a roundtrip. Ouch (that's a big cost concern). Then I am not sure the visa process (how long, cost, where and what) is, I need to get a passport too (same questions). Just want to hear your personal experiences and comments, thoughts on costs and how to save up (and how much).

Originally posted by SunDancer
A soph. in college (averaging a 2.7 GPA through year one), I have begain working towards studying abroad a year at possiblity Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia.

Do it. I didn't when I had a possible opportunity, and regret it.
Good luck with the surgery as well.

Originally posted by SunDancer
I am planning on getting a jaw prothesis...
I need a change of faces.

Sounds like you're getting one. :-D

Originally posted by Celeval
Do it. I didn't when I had a possible opportunity, and regret it.
Good luck with the surgery as well.



Sounds like you're getting one. :-D


Wow, that didn't come out right...Lol. I meant I need a change of "places", but in ways, I will get a new look. Lol.

I know we have one or two Aussies here I believe, and prolly some tourist and personal experiencers as well. I like you hear about what I wrote in the post before this.

Also, how are the Aussie women? ;)

It was my dream to study in Australia, never happened. I say do it, and do it fast. It's one of the few nations where I don't think you will be a pariah for being an American. It's a great place to learn...I'm still debating on getting up and going there someday...

Originally posted by Qwikshot
It was my dream to study in Australia, never happened. I say do it, and do it fast. It's one of the few nations where I don't think you will be a pariah for being an American. It's a great place to learn...I'm still debating on getting up and going there someday...


Thanks...As I noted before, I want to do it badly. It's always been a dream of mine to move their, and this a chance to see if it holds true. However, costs are an issue, as are credit transferring. I see an advisor next week for my first meeting, so this is the pre-planning and set-up stage right now until then. It's $2k for a round trip, then whatever I need to pay in college costs. Hopefully, my financial aid will transfer. Taking next fall semster off will help in saving money, and allowing me to take my mind off the books for a while and relax with surgery. I just like to learn about experiences, and what to do and not do, how to make friends (how are Aussies differenet in values and that), how much money to save, and how can I save it. I like to go to Kangaroo Island. I really like to see the nature and wildlife of Australia. That's what makes Australia so stunning. Beautiful, breaktaking, lively cities and a wildlife in mountains, deserts, rain forests, great barrier reef, ect.

Got my date with the study abroad coordinator pushed back to Oct. 30th this month. That's good. I decided to do July through December of 2005, which will give me like a year and a half to get everything in line, and get my operation out of the way and whatever. I was thinking of doing a whole year, but the money and the costs of Feb-December are not what I want to pay, and five months is a good time to experience it.