I will now try to attempt explaining what schooling is like here. First of all, course outlines (syllabi) are about 30 pages long. They include EVERYTHING, such as week by week breakdowns of what will go on in sections and lectures, and paragraphs specifying what to prepare for each meeting. They also include official university rules in terms of plagiarizing and such, where as at UCLA that section is usually just a paragraph long. They also give you assignment directions in there, whereas in UCLA you get the essay prompts and project outlines when it is assigned.
Secondly, there are usually only 1 or at most 2 lectures per week, which are at least 2 hours long. Then you have tutorials, like sections, where you meet with your tutor (TA, or GSI).
Thirdly, their grading scale is different. While we have the ABCDF and 4.0 system, they go by high distinction, distinction, credit, pass, etc.... And instead of a GPA, you have the WAM (weighted average mark), which is a percentage (out of 100) that ranks you with everyone else. :X Yikes.
Has anyone watched Batman yet? I can't wait! I went to watch the 2nd movie at the local theater for $5, and it was just amazing. I enjoyed a lot more than the first time, and now I'm so ready for the 3rd movie! Although I did hear that the 2nd is better than the 3rd, so you shouldn't see it right before. :X Oh well.
Speaking of batman, the big news recently is the massive shooting in Colorado. What a great time to be out of the country and to have the USA name attached to you. I've been asked about what the US and CA gun laws are, and.... I'll go do my research now. 9__9 I heard in one of the midnight showings in our theater the sound cut off at the height of a scene. How scary would that be, after hearing about the gassing in the middle of the movie. I'd think it was another terror attack.
Thankfully the weather's been not too bad here, but it does rain every so often. Turns out my boots are indeed water-proof! Yay :D
Besides getting a big can of Raid for all things creepy crawly, look what I found at the supermarket! Rice bubbles... x) COME ON, THEY'RE RICE KRISPIES!
Forgot to add this last time, but here's our set-up for Ice Breakers night at IH!
Also forgot to load this. Took this with my phone, so it's horrible quality. This is me with a group of 10+ friends going clubbing in downtown Sydney, called King's Cross. Some shady stuff goes on around here, lemme tell ya... >>
I did a job trial at Noodles and Dumplings Canteen (asian much?) and for the two hours, the nice lady let me take home whatever I wanted. This doesn't look TOO appetizing, but I swear it was good :D This would have cost me... more than $10 AUD. :(
Opening dinner! We had consulates from all over the world come to IH and enjoy a meal with us while we sat around and appreciated each other's diversity... ^^;; Here's the board of students preparing the after party concoction! Goon + sodas, topped with chopped fruits.
And here's a shot of what I wore to the event. It was supposed to be much more formal, but I didn't bring anything I could wear. :( I borrowed the gorgeous black cardigan from a friend, but I think I will hunt for one myself soon. :3
For a fundraiser, they were selling coffee! Bring your own container and they'll give you even more! That pink container is my thermos and it was filled to the top with delicious cappuccino! Thanks, IVISION! :D I also picked up a t-shirt for $1 for the gym, and a jacket for $4 in their donation garage sale like type thing. That might be as much clothes shopping as I'll ever do here in Sydney.
Another funny thing to note... I've talked to several people about coming from UCLA, and they'll go "UCLA... Oh, have you heard of that Asians in the library thing?" Good job guys, we're now internationally known for being racist towards Asians. T___T I asked them if they'd seen the remixed dubstep versions, but they haven't, so maybe that's a good sign... I don't know. How embarrassing... -____-
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