PROJECT AUSTRALIA
journal
campus people
retro night
hall ball
passions of paradise
project dubbo
 

Guzyman in Newcastle, Australia - a whole semester study abroad. How could that work? How did he survive in the wilderness? In this section of guzyman.de you'll read the story of someone who left home for a life as an international student in the land "down under".

The Australian experience - looking back at the time down under

Only some days left, until my luggage is ready to be moved out of the secret halls of Edwards, the place which I called my home during the last five months. My examination phase is over and now it should be time for relaxing and reflecting...if there wasn't this one thing: people are leaving every day, and it is very strange to say farewell to the people probably forever (however, we always give us the slight chances of coincidence to see each other again). Looking back I realize that I know over 100 people by face and name. And seeing all the people dropping away over the last and next days creates just a bad feeling. Suddenly a room door is closed and will not reopen again - at least for the rest of the time I stay here.
What did I take home from Oz except of the over 1,000 pictures taken by my digital camera?

Guzyman at Frankfurt airport, minutes before he entered the plan
that brought him safely to Sydney (with a "y", please)

The first and probable last time in a dorm  was an interesting experience for the "spoiled single child" still living with the family - especially in an unknown land. I entered a world at the very last second (visa arrived at the last second and all the application forms were filled out in a hurry, the decision to go to Newcastle was more playing Russian roulette and the TOEFL-English qualification test was a mission of its own). When I came I didn't know anything. Where was Newcastle? What are the sights in Sydney? Who is John Howard? And what is Vegemite? Now it's done and I am wiser.

I have discovered a land where the sun nearly always shines and winter days are warmer than some bad German summer times. Climatic conditions are perfect - especially for people who walk with the weather. How do I evaluate my decision coming to Newcastle? It was definitely a good idea.
Firstly, the university is a cool campus area, a world of its own, so unlike the Frankfurt University, where all faculties are scattered among the city suburbs.
Secondly, no Germans in sight. Quite a surprise, unbelievable! This was one of the best messages. This means that speaking English is the only option, which meant that I could improve my English without returning into a familiar language pattern and open a German club (like the Asians - always sticking together like a bunch of homeless turtles).
Thirdly, a complete new life was expecting me. The fact that I had to establish my new Australian existence from scratch (that sounds funny, huh?) led to a different life style here in Edwards Hall. Giving up the status of a single child, traveling back in time to a younger age (Teds' people are from 18 until 20 average) and to another culture. Aussie culture and behaviour really differs from the German one. Australians are open-minded, always willing to help and....surprise, surprise...there are no really mean people among them. Everyone tries to be nice and friendly. No rivalry, no serious struggles.

However, there is one big thing I learned about Australians which is not very advantageous (Warning! Enhanced academic English style in use!). I talk about the excessive drink sessions here in Teds and the predominant idea of every special evening activity to reach a level of drunkenness at 9 parsec (which is the maximum speed of Han Solo's Millennium Falcon in my favorite flick "Starwars"). This - sorry of my lack of academic English in this part - sucks. Funny, that Australians always find a reason to get drunk, it could be a halloween party (which they don't even celebrate), a horse race, Christmas in July (ridiculous). And because they don't want to wait until the weekend, they have already designated the Wednesday as a "bridge" day in the week to keep up the mandatory alcohol level. Some of the guys seem to have a really good time, until people tell them what they did last night. Some run around naked in the hall, laughing and showing the goods. Others think it might be a good idea to take some of the train inventory (especially chairs), which is not really highly rewarded by the officials.
With the exception of this alcoholic games played in the hallways, I can't really complain. I stick to a common rule which every drinker in Teds should follow as well (and which is actually seen on Australian roads quite frequently): Stop, revive, survive (instead of drink, throw up, pass out). Cheers.

How about friends and cool cats crouching along the hallways?  There were quite a few off course - from funny Japanese over loud laughing Africans and Swedish girls to laidback Aussies and Yankee-doodle dandies.  Quite an international variety with different cultures (why doesn't anybody here drink soda water?), different experiences and different perceptions (no, it's called "Schnitzel" not "Snitzel"). Meeting friends here wasn't a hard task, because people wanted to meet people. So I found myself in an international pool of mates. The fact of leaving all the nice relationships built up during this long time, seems so weird and wrong. However, the people met during these glorious summer days will break apart and find another destiny - hopefully a good one.

Guzyman among people - as usual

At this point I could refer to so many points of new experiences. However, a webpage is no good place for this. Therefore, I will just mention some very briefly:

1.) Studying at the University of Newcastle made more fun than studying in Frankfurt - the first time I saw connections between theory and practice. This was very enlightening  and expanded my mind in the fields of international business (especially marketing and human resource management). The idea to held presentations and learning theory via case studies is nice and should be adopted in Germany.

2.) From the leader to the child - Another big experience for me here was the fact that I didn't know anything and needed assistance even for every small thing (Computer broken - who helps? Train Schedule - who has a plan? Need a restaurant for a dinner - what is good?) Every single thing which I could easily figure out by myself at home - without any constraints - was a little challenge here in Newcastle. Even a phone call was a little problem. The new role designated to me was a follower rather than someone who creates, leads and acts, like I do it in Germany. This time I needed advice. During these times it was good to have fellows like Dave, Grant or Jonny in my wing who knew the answers. Thanx.

3.) Australian environment - The fact that I saw the sand dunes I missed in Egypt, is an indication for Australia. The landscape is overwhelming and exciting. It sets off feelings of adventure with Crocodile Dundee on a river filled with crocodiles. There is far too much to take into, more to find than can ever be found. But the sun rolling high through the sapphire sky, keeps great and small to the endless round. Spoken in these terms: Great. However, I will definitely not miss the birds, which make me awake at 6 AM and attacked me in order to get my cookies. And these annoying flies...How could evolution create an animal which always want to crouch in ears and bumping around of human eyes? I don't really know.

4.) Fun factor - Although stress and work loads still keep me running into the library and making me study, the fun factor was one of the factors which keep me alive in the world far away from home. Meeting various cool characters with attributes as insane as mine made this time here to a great one. I have taken the right point of time to do this trip. Meeting the guys here let me feel younger and more relaxed than in a working environment at home. The Aussie style contributes to this strongly. I had a great time here and even did parts for my degree. My recommendation is to do a trip aboard and find people which are from different nations than you. You learn so many things. And it is good to come over during the study time.

Dorm life in Edwards Hall - Guzyman in his room

These are the predominant ideas I come up with so right out of the blue. There are more aspects for sure. Sadly I have to say that this update of guzyman.de was the last one here in Australia. After Grant left for Dubbo, I posted from Dave's computer. These times are now over. My Australia infotainment projects is complete. Pity. It was fun to write this stuff. And as far as I know I even had a fair amount of visitors at these pages. More international publicity than German one, I suppose.

It is the end of November 2002 - I still have the feeling that it is still August. I believe I will experience a culture shock when I return to the German winter. All these changes and moods of returning don't really fit to this place at the moment. And once I'm back in Germany on December 13th with my Mum and Dad and once I wake up on the 14th December, I hope I will not feel as if the whole last half year was just a dream - a sweet dream of a land far away down under.

Passions of Paradise
 Mid-semester break in Australia and the mission to have fun

 

Where is Dubbo?
 Relaxation in a Australian city among Australian people

 

Hall Ball
 Dress up for a night to remember or to forget

Who is Sven Guzy?
 Find it out by clicking here