I've been thinking about different levels of student exchange experience. Before I left the UK, various people said I was doing something really demanding. Having arrived and settled in, I have concluded what I am doing pushes my boundaries, but in the greater scheme of things, is really quite small beer. I am studying in a foreign country and have travelled alone. But I am studying in my own language, and script. There are other students from my home university. My husband will be joining me soon.
There are other students who are using English as a foreign language, and whose mother tongue has a different script, who are completely on their own with no-one from their own country to talk to when things get tough.
Other students are doing more dramatic things than me.
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Monday, 11 July 2011
My Hero is on his way
Jim rang me a couple of hours ago. He has arrived in Sydney, after his flight from Los Angeles. He is staying with friends Rob and Sal for a couple of days. He has got himself an Aussie sim card and we can now talk to each other for the first time in about 8 weeks. Jim is spending a couple of days acclimatising and readjusting his body clock before taking the train to Perth. He decided not to fly, as he wants to look out of the window and actually see the environment he is travelling through. He leaves on Wednesday, and will arrive in Perth at 0930 on Saturday. It will be lovely to see him again.
My second weekend in Perth
Yesterday was my second Sunday in Perth. I took myself off on a trip to Perth to visit the museum again, partly because it was cold and definitely a day to stay indoors.
On Saturday I had spent some of the day drawing the Bell Tower at the riverside. This contains the bells from St Martins-in-the-Fields, London. It sounds as if an eccentric Australian businessman and bellringer was determined to obtain old bells from London, and negotiated a complex deal to take defective, unwanted bells from St Martins, retune them and hang them correctly in Perth (thereby removing the defects), and send enough ore from Perth to London, so the Whitechapel foundry could cast new, good bells for St Martins.
I was sitting in front of the Tower, and my sketches were out of proportion, and kept extending beyond the page (this does not normally bother me, but the purpose of the sketch was the proportions!). As I travelled in to Perth by bus yesterday, the route skirted the Bell Tower from a fair distance, giving me different perspectives on the tower. What I need to do to improve my images, is to do a series from different angles, so I will eventually get it right and convey the grace and elegance of the tower (singularly missing so far in my sketches) and the shapes of the copper sails. On Saturday, I was just too close.
I went to the museum (nice and warm!) and looked around the section on animals from Australia. They were very different to the UK! A good section on mammals - I learned more about mammals that lay eggs (duckbilled platypus) and those that give birth to immature life forms (kangaroos and wallabies amongst others) as well as those that give birth to mature life forms (whales, dogs, gorillas and humans). Apparently the higher mammals all have hair at some point in their life and suckle their young. There were quite a few skeleton exhibitions of various animals, and this was reminiscent of the dinosaur collection at the Natural History museum in London, if a bit smaller in scale. There was a beautiful butterfly collection, in a corridor with movement activated lighting, to minimise light damage to the display.
When I got home I was watching the Sunday Arts programme on the tv. There was a really interesting documentary about a glass blower, William (Bill) Morris. It showed him diving, and rock climbing, which is how he gains inspiration for his truly amazing glass works. He made an enlightening comment about his work. "Years ago, when I was asked what I do, I said 'As an artist, I make things'. Now, I say 'I look at things. This is because the making is very secondary to what I do now.' And at the end of the programme, it stated he had retired at 49, sold his furnaces and tools, and was spending the rest of his life 'looking at things'. To my friend Lisa, does this sound familiar!?
On Saturday I had spent some of the day drawing the Bell Tower at the riverside. This contains the bells from St Martins-in-the-Fields, London. It sounds as if an eccentric Australian businessman and bellringer was determined to obtain old bells from London, and negotiated a complex deal to take defective, unwanted bells from St Martins, retune them and hang them correctly in Perth (thereby removing the defects), and send enough ore from Perth to London, so the Whitechapel foundry could cast new, good bells for St Martins.
I was sitting in front of the Tower, and my sketches were out of proportion, and kept extending beyond the page (this does not normally bother me, but the purpose of the sketch was the proportions!). As I travelled in to Perth by bus yesterday, the route skirted the Bell Tower from a fair distance, giving me different perspectives on the tower. What I need to do to improve my images, is to do a series from different angles, so I will eventually get it right and convey the grace and elegance of the tower (singularly missing so far in my sketches) and the shapes of the copper sails. On Saturday, I was just too close.
I went to the museum (nice and warm!) and looked around the section on animals from Australia. They were very different to the UK! A good section on mammals - I learned more about mammals that lay eggs (duckbilled platypus) and those that give birth to immature life forms (kangaroos and wallabies amongst others) as well as those that give birth to mature life forms (whales, dogs, gorillas and humans). Apparently the higher mammals all have hair at some point in their life and suckle their young. There were quite a few skeleton exhibitions of various animals, and this was reminiscent of the dinosaur collection at the Natural History museum in London, if a bit smaller in scale. There was a beautiful butterfly collection, in a corridor with movement activated lighting, to minimise light damage to the display.
When I got home I was watching the Sunday Arts programme on the tv. There was a really interesting documentary about a glass blower, William (Bill) Morris. It showed him diving, and rock climbing, which is how he gains inspiration for his truly amazing glass works. He made an enlightening comment about his work. "Years ago, when I was asked what I do, I said 'As an artist, I make things'. Now, I say 'I look at things. This is because the making is very secondary to what I do now.' And at the end of the programme, it stated he had retired at 49, sold his furnaces and tools, and was spending the rest of his life 'looking at things'. To my friend Lisa, does this sound familiar!?
Sunday, 10 July 2011
Further thoughts on conversations during International Induction
I have been reflecting on some of the conversations I have had this week. Some light-hearted, some very serious, arising from the session on similarities and differences between Australia and whereever home is, for you.
The lecturer, Jim, made the observation that most countries have a national animal - often on their coat of arms. For example, the UK has the lion and unicorn, China has the panda, and Australia has the kangaroo and emu. He sagely observed that Australia is the only country that habitually eats its national animal! China does not eat pandas, the UK does not eat lions (and unicorns are a mythical animal so we can't eat them) but Australia finds kangaroos and emus to be good eating!
I have mentioned that Perth seems expensive to me as an international student. However, another reason for the prices being high, could be because the main industry here is mining, which is a high earning workplace. This would have parallels in Aberdeen in Scotland, where prices and the cost of living is high, supported by the oil field industry off the northeast coast. Mining is the biggest industry here, followed by agriculture, particularly in the south west corner of Western Australia. Finance follows quite a long way behind, and education for international students is another big earner in the city. Apparently the student population accounts for about 2.1% of WA population, which seems quite a lot, especially when you consider that indigeneous Aboriginals are 2.3% of population.
At the bus station yesterday, I met a young man who I had talked to in one of the induction sessions. He said that the most significant difference he found to his homeland, was that it was ok to be openly gay in Australia. He came from Iran, was studying for a finance qualification, and spoke the most articulate English. I was really impressed with his command of the language, when you consider it was not his mother tongue. He said he had started learning English at primary school, and watched a lot of Hollywood movies, so his accent was slightly American. He said that in Iran, because the country operated under Shariah law, homosexuality was an absolute sin and crime. He said that the only way gay people can meet is on the internet, and even then, you don't really know who you are talking to, because the Shariah "police" frequent these places. And if you and your partner are prosecuted, it is the absolute right of the Shariah judge to pronounce whatever sentence he wants, including the death penalty by any means deemed appropriate! On the one hand, I found what he said very disturbing, but on the other, part of the reason I chose to study abroad, was to expand my knowledge of other cultures. I'm certainly doing that.
I can see more similarities than differences in Australia, compared to England. There is a lot on the news at present about the Carbon Tax. There is a lot of opposition to the introduction of this tax and the full detail of the Bill is being broadcast today. In England we have a big programme of environmentally friendly policies being introduced. The rubbish collection in both countries promotes recycling. But the buildings that are occupied by other students and me seem to have ecological differences - in the UK we would have insulated houses, and double glazing. In my flat, there is no double glazing, and more surprisingly, and there is no beading around the hinged windows, so you can see daylight through the crack (!). I'm not sure whether this is poor finishing (yet the rest of the flat is well finished and immaculate), or if it is deemed to be normal ventilation in a very hot country. It has been unseasonally cold for this region, with temperatures down to 5C at night. Not cold by British standards, but I've been glad I brought a couple of cardigans - and have even worn them together in the evening. It does seem strange to have the gas fire on in the evening, but to have gaps around the windows, as well as the ventilation bricks.
Another similarity during induction has been the equality policies. It's not called that here - but there have been sessions on anti-bullying and harassment, and disability awareness and access. There is a session next week for mature students and the potential issues they can have. So it fits with my experience of considering the difficulties that different groups can have, and means of supporting them to successfully complete their education. Same issues, different approach.
The lecturer, Jim, made the observation that most countries have a national animal - often on their coat of arms. For example, the UK has the lion and unicorn, China has the panda, and Australia has the kangaroo and emu. He sagely observed that Australia is the only country that habitually eats its national animal! China does not eat pandas, the UK does not eat lions (and unicorns are a mythical animal so we can't eat them) but Australia finds kangaroos and emus to be good eating!
I have mentioned that Perth seems expensive to me as an international student. However, another reason for the prices being high, could be because the main industry here is mining, which is a high earning workplace. This would have parallels in Aberdeen in Scotland, where prices and the cost of living is high, supported by the oil field industry off the northeast coast. Mining is the biggest industry here, followed by agriculture, particularly in the south west corner of Western Australia. Finance follows quite a long way behind, and education for international students is another big earner in the city. Apparently the student population accounts for about 2.1% of WA population, which seems quite a lot, especially when you consider that indigeneous Aboriginals are 2.3% of population.
At the bus station yesterday, I met a young man who I had talked to in one of the induction sessions. He said that the most significant difference he found to his homeland, was that it was ok to be openly gay in Australia. He came from Iran, was studying for a finance qualification, and spoke the most articulate English. I was really impressed with his command of the language, when you consider it was not his mother tongue. He said he had started learning English at primary school, and watched a lot of Hollywood movies, so his accent was slightly American. He said that in Iran, because the country operated under Shariah law, homosexuality was an absolute sin and crime. He said that the only way gay people can meet is on the internet, and even then, you don't really know who you are talking to, because the Shariah "police" frequent these places. And if you and your partner are prosecuted, it is the absolute right of the Shariah judge to pronounce whatever sentence he wants, including the death penalty by any means deemed appropriate! On the one hand, I found what he said very disturbing, but on the other, part of the reason I chose to study abroad, was to expand my knowledge of other cultures. I'm certainly doing that.
I can see more similarities than differences in Australia, compared to England. There is a lot on the news at present about the Carbon Tax. There is a lot of opposition to the introduction of this tax and the full detail of the Bill is being broadcast today. In England we have a big programme of environmentally friendly policies being introduced. The rubbish collection in both countries promotes recycling. But the buildings that are occupied by other students and me seem to have ecological differences - in the UK we would have insulated houses, and double glazing. In my flat, there is no double glazing, and more surprisingly, and there is no beading around the hinged windows, so you can see daylight through the crack (!). I'm not sure whether this is poor finishing (yet the rest of the flat is well finished and immaculate), or if it is deemed to be normal ventilation in a very hot country. It has been unseasonally cold for this region, with temperatures down to 5C at night. Not cold by British standards, but I've been glad I brought a couple of cardigans - and have even worn them together in the evening. It does seem strange to have the gas fire on in the evening, but to have gaps around the windows, as well as the ventilation bricks.
Another similarity during induction has been the equality policies. It's not called that here - but there have been sessions on anti-bullying and harassment, and disability awareness and access. There is a session next week for mature students and the potential issues they can have. So it fits with my experience of considering the difficulties that different groups can have, and means of supporting them to successfully complete their education. Same issues, different approach.
Saturday, 9 July 2011
The postcard project is going well
I've just had an e-mail from my friend Lisa, co-collaborator on the Postcard Project. Lisa says both she and her son look forward to the post arriving to see what comes next in the series. Ernest is a teenage musician - young, cool and trendy. I have to say I am delighted and flattered that someone young and cool is interested in my drawings. Lisa also said her post lady enjoys them too. There is something really exciting about sending and receiving hand drawn things through the postage system. It is quite different to e-mail. It also makes me look much more carefully at ordinary things around me. I've not yet received any from Lisa yet, but I had find somewhere to live, before she could post hers.
At then end of my exchange year, I might suggest to Lisa, then Herts Uni, that we put together an art display to show both our postcard sets and see what response it gets in the UK, and whether it inspires more people to take the international option, or to do a postcard project.
This morning I was on the bus, and saw two pelicans standing on a streetlamp on the riverside in Perth. Just how strong must the lampposts be? The lampposts were very tall, with an arm at the top, c2m long finishing with a very large bulbous area for the light. Much bigger than I have seen in the UK. And 2 huge pelicans were snuggled up together, surveying the river.
At then end of my exchange year, I might suggest to Lisa, then Herts Uni, that we put together an art display to show both our postcard sets and see what response it gets in the UK, and whether it inspires more people to take the international option, or to do a postcard project.
This morning I was on the bus, and saw two pelicans standing on a streetlamp on the riverside in Perth. Just how strong must the lampposts be? The lampposts were very tall, with an arm at the top, c2m long finishing with a very large bulbous area for the light. Much bigger than I have seen in the UK. And 2 huge pelicans were snuggled up together, surveying the river.
Friday, 8 July 2011
A day trip to Fremantle
I've just got back to uni from a trip to Fremantle. This was a coach trip for new international students to see the area around Perth. First we went to Kings Park in Subiaco. This is a viewpoint overlooking the Swan River and Canning River. It was truly spectacular. Huge, wide rivers. I used to live right next to the River Thames, where it was a mile wide, but these rivers made that look small by comparison. We could see the Bell Tower, which was gifted to Perth by the British Government after WWII to recognise the contribution of Australian forces. We were also at the site of multiple Australian war memorials. Richard, a photography student, commented that the light was different in Australia. He has had to alter the shutter speed on his camera as the light is brighter than in the UK. I am fortunate that my camera has autofocus so I don't need to fiddle about - the camera deals with the automatically. But I am aware the light is brighter here. I am constantly wearing sunglasses and sunhat, and we are approaching the depths of winter.
Then we moved on to Cottesloe - a lovely beach environment, with promenade. This was like a small version of Frinton-on-Sea for those who know Essex.
Finally we moved on to Fremantle, for lunch and most of us had fish and chips. This area appears to have a several museums which I will find interesting on another trip, and a very clean harbour/marina area. On the way back along the main road, I saw a postman delivering mail. But the interesting thing was, he was riding a Post Office moped, on the pavement, putting post in people's postboxes which are situated at the boundary, but when the box was half way up the drive, he would ride across their garden on his bike!
The conversations I have had about college fees are very interesting and put UK fees into perspective. Currently UK fees are #3,000 per year, for full time study. They are increasing to up to c#9,000 soon. As an exchange student from the UK, if I travel for one semester, I am charged full home fees, or if I travel for the whole year, I am charged half fees (illogical but true for some obscure government funding reason). So financially, an exchange is a good deal for me. International students in the UK pay #8,000, considerably more than home students.
International students at Curtin, who are not on an exchange, pay $10,000 per semester!! Quite a few are doing their whole degree, ie 3 years, studying at Curtin. I spoke to a girl from Norway studying journalism, who said the government loan system there is similar to the one in the UK. You can get a loan for fees, repaid once you graduate and are earning above a certain level. But can you imagine ending up with $60,000 of debt (#40,000) !! And that's just fees! Not living costs! No wonder nearly all international students have a part time job, and the induction lecture warned strongly against working more than 15 hours a week (20 hours is the max).
Given what I've described above, it is unsurprising that most international students are studying "sensible" degrees which will increase employability and possibly salary. The most popular are Business and Finance, Journalism, Environmental Studies and Public Health Administration. I have not met anyone else doing an arts subject (unsurprisingly). I wonder what type of people I will meet on my course?
Then we moved on to Cottesloe - a lovely beach environment, with promenade. This was like a small version of Frinton-on-Sea for those who know Essex.
Finally we moved on to Fremantle, for lunch and most of us had fish and chips. This area appears to have a several museums which I will find interesting on another trip, and a very clean harbour/marina area. On the way back along the main road, I saw a postman delivering mail. But the interesting thing was, he was riding a Post Office moped, on the pavement, putting post in people's postboxes which are situated at the boundary, but when the box was half way up the drive, he would ride across their garden on his bike!
The conversations I have had about college fees are very interesting and put UK fees into perspective. Currently UK fees are #3,000 per year, for full time study. They are increasing to up to c#9,000 soon. As an exchange student from the UK, if I travel for one semester, I am charged full home fees, or if I travel for the whole year, I am charged half fees (illogical but true for some obscure government funding reason). So financially, an exchange is a good deal for me. International students in the UK pay #8,000, considerably more than home students.
International students at Curtin, who are not on an exchange, pay $10,000 per semester!! Quite a few are doing their whole degree, ie 3 years, studying at Curtin. I spoke to a girl from Norway studying journalism, who said the government loan system there is similar to the one in the UK. You can get a loan for fees, repaid once you graduate and are earning above a certain level. But can you imagine ending up with $60,000 of debt (#40,000) !! And that's just fees! Not living costs! No wonder nearly all international students have a part time job, and the induction lecture warned strongly against working more than 15 hours a week (20 hours is the max).
Given what I've described above, it is unsurprising that most international students are studying "sensible" degrees which will increase employability and possibly salary. The most popular are Business and Finance, Journalism, Environmental Studies and Public Health Administration. I have not met anyone else doing an arts subject (unsurprisingly). I wonder what type of people I will meet on my course?
It's official - Perth is an expensive city
It was on the news this morning - Perth is the 4th most expensive city in the world. I was wondering if it was just me being hypersensitive about prices, as I am now a student, and have given up work after 30 years continuous employment. But the news article confirmed my view - things cost a lot here. I bought a cup of tea at university this morning (filled my water bottle at home, but forgot to bring it!) and a medium cup of tea is $4.10. About 3 pounds sterling. (No pound key on university computer!).
I had a conversation at the bus stop last night with some muslim students. I asked whether there was a minimum wage here - and they thought it was about $16 per hour. This would convert to about 11 pounds sterling, which is a lot more than the UK minimum wage, which I think is about 7 pounds. I'm not up-to-date here, so if anyone knows, please let me know. So it gives some perspective on how much things cost, although I'm not aware of average weekly wages here.
Yesterday I was seeking a swimming pool. I went back with Cali and Jodie to their house, and we looked at the swimming pool just around the corner from them. Lovely pool. 50m(!) outdoor pool, all lane swimming - which was heated (I felt it) but was not giving off steam on a cold evening! And an indoor 25m pool with lane swimming, and leisure pool for children. But the journey home was not good. I waited 15 minutes for the 98 circle bus, then got to the bus station with 8 minutes to my 30 bus. This did not show and it is a 30 minute wait. (And we've just been told not to wait at the bus stop in the dark!). But there was a group of young muslim girls and we had a chat. And then, about 20 minutes later (ie not to timetable) the 30 bus turned up and off I went home. So had I taken the advice and waited at a university building, arriving a minute or two before the bus was due, I'd have missed the bus. So all in all, it took about an hour to get home. So this swimming pool won't suit me, because of travelling time.
I have been told there are lots of pools with this level of facility, so I need to work my way around swimming pools by internet to find one.
I'm off on a day trip now, to Fremantle. Speak later.
I had a conversation at the bus stop last night with some muslim students. I asked whether there was a minimum wage here - and they thought it was about $16 per hour. This would convert to about 11 pounds sterling, which is a lot more than the UK minimum wage, which I think is about 7 pounds. I'm not up-to-date here, so if anyone knows, please let me know. So it gives some perspective on how much things cost, although I'm not aware of average weekly wages here.
Yesterday I was seeking a swimming pool. I went back with Cali and Jodie to their house, and we looked at the swimming pool just around the corner from them. Lovely pool. 50m(!) outdoor pool, all lane swimming - which was heated (I felt it) but was not giving off steam on a cold evening! And an indoor 25m pool with lane swimming, and leisure pool for children. But the journey home was not good. I waited 15 minutes for the 98 circle bus, then got to the bus station with 8 minutes to my 30 bus. This did not show and it is a 30 minute wait. (And we've just been told not to wait at the bus stop in the dark!). But there was a group of young muslim girls and we had a chat. And then, about 20 minutes later (ie not to timetable) the 30 bus turned up and off I went home. So had I taken the advice and waited at a university building, arriving a minute or two before the bus was due, I'd have missed the bus. So all in all, it took about an hour to get home. So this swimming pool won't suit me, because of travelling time.
I have been told there are lots of pools with this level of facility, so I need to work my way around swimming pools by internet to find one.
I'm off on a day trip now, to Fremantle. Speak later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)