My journey in the land down under.

ANDERS TSE. 3rd year @ UC San Diego. B.S. Psychology. Study abroad adventures at the University of New South Wales, Semester 2 2012. Enjoy! "Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” – Jack Kerouac

[andersinoz-blog]

One month left.

Hey everyone, sorry heaps for not updating in centuries! I was busy with finishing up final exams, moving out of my apartment in Coogee (sad times!), flying off to Indonesia for a wedding, and more non-stop traveling! In regards to my academics, I received an e-mail about my final grades and I surprisingly did pretty well. Yay! After finals, the time came for me to move out of my apartment, which was pretty bittersweet. Not going to lie, the apartment was a bit old and run down, but I will never forget the people I lived with. For the first two years of uni back in San Diego, I lived with randoms that I didn't necessarily get along with, had conversations with, or hung out with. For the first time, I felt like I had a home away from home in my university experience. I feel pretty lucky to live with such a nice and diverse bunch of people (we're all from different countries!). I will miss seeing their faces, drinking goon together, movie nights with Tim Tams and tea, and just chillin' in the living room with them. Good times were had and I'll miss it. Here's a picture of us looking classy as ever at the Blue Mountains!

Right after that, I hopped on a plane and went straight to Jakarta for my cousin's wedding, who I consider to be the big sister in my life. Felt pretty excited to reunite with her and the rest of the family, which also included my parents, grandma, aunties, and uncles!

There she is, lookin' beautiful as ever! The wedding was absolutely stunning and I wish her nothing but happiness and good health for her next stage in life. Give me a niece/nephew soon haha! Before I left Indonesia, I just had to stop by Bali, so off I went with family and their friends. Not going to lie, I wish I went with friends because I felt like we did not use all the time we had to explore the temples and nature Bali had to offer. The perks of traveling with family was I got to stay at a really nice resort that overlooked the ocean haha.

The highlight of my trip would be visiting Tanah Lot temple, which is this amazing structure that sits on top of the ocean. I will be back Bali! It felt so nice to see family, especially my parents...it's been four months since I've seen them! Thankful that they are supportive of my travels and my experience in Australia. After Bali, I returned to Sydney for Stereosonic, an electronic music festival featuring some of the world's best DJ's. It was a blast, but I felt so tired the next day!

Where am I now? I just finished traveling around the North Island of New Zealand for a week with my two lovely and only UC friends and I just landed in Picton in the South today. So far, New Zealand's scenic drives and nature are breathtaking--- possible one of the most beautiful places I have been to in my life. I feel so at peace here and I have never seen clouds so fluffy or skies so blue! The air feels very fresh and clean as well. Oh and the whole "there's more sheep than people in NZ"...it's true. Will blog more about NZ later on, but here's a sneak peek:

Let's see what South Island has to offer. Cheers, I'm out!

[andersinoz-blog]

Just got back from the Outback, a.k.a. Central Australia! Here's a sneak preview of what it looks like. More pictures to come, but it's time to catch some sleep before my flight to Townsville!

[andersinoz-blog]

It's not the "end", but it kind of is?

13 weeks of the semester is now over, just like that. And I thought the quarter system at UCSD went by fast! Powered through a few hell weeks of research papers and presentations just to arrive here, the end of my semester abroad at the University of New South Wales. It has been a pleasure to attend uni with Australian and international students from all over the world. I don't think the vibe is going to feel the same when I return back to La Jolla. I find the atmosphere at UNSW to be so refreshing and relaxed. I'm going to miss eating lunch on Library Lawn on sunny days, grabbing 2 dollar beers at happy hour, and walking pass societies' stands, selling baked goods or advertising passionately about their events. Don't get me wrong, it's not that UCSD lacks that. I just feel that everyone here truly treats each other as "mates" and is on an equal level in that sense. After all, we're all uni students at the end of the day. There isn't a visible social hierarchy in place. At UNSW, you don't see an army of sorority girls or frat guys running around posing or being...well, kind of obnoxious. There is an open space that just feels inviting, a space with tons of societies and organizations for any student to fit just right in. At least now, I will have this new approach to viewing student life at UCSD.

The classes were definitely structured a bit differently. Lecture sizes were generally smaller and most of mine took attendance. I was not used to having more assignments than exams, like writing a paper for psychology. No podcasts unfortunately, but slides are posted online! I appreciate the dead week and two weeks of finals...gives me plenty of time to travel and study (lucky enough to have my two finals on the last week!).

I don't know...I think it will take time for me to process all of this. Maybe after I complete my final exams, I will finally feel like it's the end of the semester? All I know for now is that it hasn't settled yet. I feel like it's not over, because it kind of isn't. I have about a month and a half to travel around and Christmas and New Year's in Sydney to look forward to. But what's going to be different is that I won't bump into people at uni on a weekday. We all have separate travel plans. Some are returning home early. It's not going to be the same because I won't see everyone I know in the same place at the same time. I will miss those Aussiemate events in the beginning of the semester, exchange clubbing events, and house parties--- they brought us together. Though I did not take the time to get to know everyone well, I will still miss them. I will miss their faces, the stories they brought from their own countries, and their unique personalities. I will miss each and every single person I have met here, because they taught me that behind our ethnic differences lie common ground and conversations about life. My experience at Sydney would not have been the same if I had not met all these people. Whether we hung out a few times, ten times, or even only met once, I will miss you.

I think it's going to be difficult to leave, especially my apartment at Coogee. I will post about that later when I really do leave but let's just say, I have the best apartment mates and they truly make me feel I'm at home. That's probably the reason why I haven't bought my ticket back home yet...eek I should do that soon. Two of my friends have managed to extend their stay for an extra 6 months. They convinced me to stay and as much as I want to, I don't think I can. There are things I want to accomplish for my third year and I feel like I can't do that here. I would have to stay in school in San Diego longer, when I could use that time to get into my master's in a city where I hopefully feel like I truly belong. Also, it would probably be even harder to leave if I stayed an extra semester...I just know it. But I'll be back someday. This isn't a goodbye yet, expect another post when I finally leave the country haha! On another note, I am off to Alice Springs tomorrow morning! Can't wait to check out the "outback" and the famous Ayers Rock! Then off to Townsville, which is in close proximity to Magnetic Island and the Great Barrier Reef! I am determined to snorkel this time...okay I should head to bed soon. See you all in a week! Expect lots of pictures!

[andersinoz-blog]

Is there anything relating to your UCEAP experience you wish to comment on? (preparation, culture, experience, advice for future students, etc)

Try not to stick with a bunch of American students. There are international students from all over Europe and the rest of the world: take advantage of it. I found that my experience here was a lot more colorful by hanging out with international students. Now I can say that when I go on my Europe trip in 2014, I have a friend in almost every country to visit! Just start off in a hostel and from there on, you will meet a ton of people and potential apartment-mates too!

Australia is a wonderful country and is diverse in its landscapes and people. UNSW was situated in a nice little suburb only a bus ride away from the heart of Sydney. I specifically chose this university because I knew noone at UCSD has gone there in a long time and I wish more people did.

I wish I recorded all my expenses here in an excel sheet, so do so! Manage your budget wisely because Australia is pretty expensive.

Invest in a lonely planet guide--- it will come in handy.

Say 'yes' to almost everything. I mean don't get me wrong, have your limits. But expand your mind and be willing to try new things! That's what being abroad in a foreign country is all about. Yes, EAP is an academic program, but don't forget to have fun and explore, instead of being sucked into your studies. Basically, your coursework should be a good balance to all the traveling and fun you will experience.

Try to interact with local students too! I love how Australians are generally open-minded and friendly. They were so easy to talk to and get to know. I even had a chance to live with someone from Byron Bay (North of New South Wales), which was really cool!

Pack more clean underwear. Oh, can't forget about a duffel bag! It will be useful for traveling.

There's no such thing as taking too many pictures. Document your experience on a blog. This is going to be a life-changing experience: cherish it, record it, reflect upon it, and grow from it.

I wish I reached out to my friends back home a little more. I'm sure there is nothing wrong with checking up on them. I honestly feel a little disconnect already and can predict a little struggle to transition back to my life at UCSD.

The money is worth it. You will have time to pay it all back, trust.

Stay as long as you can. When else are you going to be in that part of the world again? You are still young, so see as much while you still can.

[andersinoz-blog]

Priorities.

Just finished booking my travel plans with Karen and My during the..."study period". Well to be fair, my two finals do not start until November 7th, so that still leaves me with plenty of time to study!

20/10-23/10: Alice Springs & Uluru/Ayers Rock (Central Australia)

24/10-27/10: Townsville, Great Barrier Reef, and Magnetic Island (Queensland)

Looking forward to going to these places since they have been on my list! Here's what I want to accomplish for the rest of my time before I return to the states:

New Zealand (both islands)

Brisbane

Gold Coast

Byron Bay

Nimbin

Whitsundays

Melbourne again...

Tasmania

If all goes according to plan, I should be able to finish this list and make it back to Sydney on time for Christmas and New Year's!

So tomorrow is the start of Week 12...which means I have 2 more weeks to appreciate the UNSW campus (b/c both of my finals are at the racecourse...)! This is pretty crazy, I could have sworn walking around feeling super lost during orientation did not seem too long ago. Time goes by pretty damn fast here and I realize I just have to make the most out of every single day. I remember planning to go back in mid-December, but that just seems to soon to me now. Though three months have gone by, I still have a lot to learn and a lot of places to see...there's always room to grow! Travelling and just meeting new people in general from all over the world have been such a humbling experience. You learn to understand, accept, and tolerate other cultures. Even though I know who my close friends are here, I still meet new people every single week, both international and local! They are all just so friendly and have the most inviting presence...I am not sure if I can say I have experienced the same atmosphere back in the states to be honest (eek sounds a bit harsh, but this is really how I feel.)

I know I will most likely be mildly depressed when I go back to the states. But I have some coping methods! I will try to reconnect with people I used to be close to and get back into music performance. Hopefully, by doing so, I will have an easier time readjusting back to my life in America and at UCSD. I was talking to my friend the other day in a cafe at Surry Hills and we were discussing how all this could seem just like a dream when we return home. I say it's because all the friends we make here won't be with us when we go back. And really, that's the most important thing you get out of studying abroad: the connections you make with people from other parts of the world. Before coming here, I had the impression that by doing this program through UCEAP, I would be stuck with a bunch of Americans, but thank Buddha that was not the case! I learned that through many of our differences, I manage to find common connections with my international friends here, which is really cool! These people are such an integral part of my experience here. Australia will always be here and I'm pretty sure I will be back at some point in my life. But, I cannot say I will truly relive my experience necessarily, because it won't be with every single person I have met here.

Random epiphany! I should probably do a semester of my master's in Europe or Canada. Anyways, back to this blog! I love how I think of all these things when I should be writing my paper. Procrastination for the win! Will update by the end of the week, when I will have handed in my last assignment!

[andersinoz-blog]

Uni work is almost done!

Hooray for making progress! I have about 600 more words for my 3rd (out of 4) paper to complete and I just finished preparing for my last presentation! It's crazy how it's October now. The semester will be over before I know it, which makes me very sad. Three months before I return home, but my journey is quite not over yet. I believe being here is good for me. My mind has expanded and I have rediscovered a passion in life, and at the same time, found a direction for potential master's programs. First off, I have decided that I want to get back to making music...and yes I am serious this time! No excuses, if it's something I want to continue, I will make time for it. I will update you guys more on that when I get back to San Diego. As for what I want to do for grad school, I have grown an interest in industrial/organizational psychology. Basically, you try to figure out how to develop and maintain the ideal work environment for companies. However, the grad programs are pretty competitive, so this means I have to keep my GPA going up and test a high score on the GRE's...yikes. But the thought of moving out of Southern California for grad school seems exciting! Oh but I have a backup plan! Work for a bit, save up money, and open up an Aussie style cafe somewhere in the states. It would be hidden in an alley designed with a hint of street art, beats of Nujabes or Flying Lotus would be playing in the background, and quality espressos would be served. Tim Tams would be for sale at the counter. Lamingtons to go? Of course! But yeah, this is just an idea, so don't take me seriously...yet.

Other than that, I just had a wonderful time at Parklife yesterday! Forgot how fun music festivals could be. It just seemed to go by so fast, but I definitely saw plenty of great live acts, so it was worth it! Thanks Missy for being the best partner in crime! Well it's almost 2:30 AM here and I need to wake up early to print things out for my presentation...it's going to be a rough morning.

Here's a list of Parklife artists/bands I recommend! They are worth a listen, trust me.

The Presets

Flume

Chairlift

Jack Beats

Charli XCX

Robyn

Passion Pit

St. Lucia

[yourealightagainmydear]

In Australian English, every response can be preceded by 'yeah'.

[laugh-addict]

“yeah alright”

“yeah it’s pretty good ay”

“yeah maybe”

“yeah nah”

“yeah fuck off”

“yeah why not?”

“yeah but what?”

“yeah”

Probably the first Australian stereotype post that’s basically accurate.

Yeah, that’s sounds about right.

via lolsofunny=)

[andersinoz-blog]

2 papers down, 2 more to go! In addition, 3 presentations to go, but feeling pretty confident about most of them. To celebrate, I shall be going to Parklife music festival this Sunday with my friend, Missy! It will be awesome, I am too stoked!

[andersinoz-blog]

Section 8 chillin, beautiful alleyways, and fresh fruit.

[andersinoz-blog]

Spring break recap and piles of papers to go...

Gah, so sorry everyone for the lack of updates! My blog probably does not seem so exciting at the moment, but I promise I am still exploring and loving Australia. For the next few weeks, I have heaps of research papers and presentations to complete, so I might be on a mini hiatus. :( But first thing's first, here's a recap of my spring break!

Melbourne...need I say more? I fell in love. Proud to say that I have visited the world's #1 most livable city! You could just feel the culture and the "hipster vibe" the moment you walk into the city. I will definitely need to visit again in the summer and check out Brighton Beach and explore Brunswick St./Fitzroy some more. I'm convinced that the coolest bars and cafes in the world are found right here, some tucked away in alleyways.

The Great Ocean Road. I believe this was my very first road trip ever! Yes, I need to get out more, but hey that's why I am in Australia. Highlight of my trip? I got to see wild koalas and kangaroos play around in their natural habitat! Definitely a lot more exciting than the zoo. Koalas make very funny noises by the way...they sound like me when I am very hungry haha. Besides that, I got to see breathtaking sights and gaze at some famous spots, such as the Twelve Apostles and Loch and Gorge. Also got to see waters as blue as the sky and walked around a few national parks with clear views of mountains and lakes. It was just a good time, sharing a passion for travel and bonding over home-cooked meals with 9 other friends, who all come from 8 different countries! 

Cairns was paradise. The moment we stepped out of the airport, we were so ecstatic to feel the warmth of the sunshine! Not a bad change from the cold weather of Melbourne. The city reminded me a lot of Honolulu because it was so tourist friendly with a bunch of travel agency offices and souvenir shops. The lagoon in the middle of the city was beautiful, which is a large public pool right next to the ocean. I spent a couple of days tanning there and enjoying the idea that I was not in the library typing up papers. We spent a day exploring rainforests and swimming in waterfalls, which was also another "first time" moment. It was a lot of fun, and there was even one with a natural water slide! I get to say I was at Millaa Millaa Falls, where an Herbal Essences commercial was shot, and saw the Cathedral Fig Tree, which was used in the Avatar movie. For yet another first time, I went on a spontaneous road trip to Cape Tribulation with random Germans we met at the hostel. They were just some of the most friendly people I have ever met and it was cool to learn about their own travels and culture, especially how beer is prized and an essential to German lifestyle. Cape Trib was literally where the rainforest meets the reef. It was beautiful! The waters were warm enough to swim in and you could see trees just sprouting out on the sand. Once I post pictures, you will understand. Two things I wish I did: snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef and see a cassowary cross the road. Oh well, perhaps there will be another opportunity later.

Alas, it was a rough start to school and I am pretty bombarded with assignments. However, I still take the time to appreciate the beauty and treasures Sydney has to offer. Just the other day, I checked out the White Rabbit, which is a contemporary Chinese art gallery, and I must say it was the coolest art gallery I have been to so far! After that, I finally tried a cafe in Surry Hills, and I can see why they are known for their cafes! The coffee was superb and the atmosphere was so chill, with old school hip hop playing in the background. I will definitely come here more often to get my espresso fix! Also got to walk around Hyde Park and more of Sydney CBD. It was a beautiful and relaxing Saturday.

One of the conversations I had with my friend whilst in the cafe was considering to move outside of Los Angeles. I know for sure that I want to leave San Diego right after my undergrad. I love the beaches and the chill atmosphere, but I'm afraid it is not the city for me. I want to be in a place with a thriving cafe, art, and music culture. I want to be in a city where the air is clean, people are laidback, and a downtown that is fairly easy to navigate. Oh can't forget, a decent public transportation system would be great! I think studying abroad has made me not afraid to consider other options out there, to explore more and get out of my comfort zone. I started to think about visiting Seattle, Portland, Boston and back to San Francisco again. My friend told me that if I liked Melbourne so much, I should give Seattle a shot because apparently they are pretty similar. Hmmm, I will definitely need to start planning something for my spring break (back in the states). Ideally, I'd like to jump into grad school right after my undergrad, whch does not leave me a lot of time to start looking up programs I want to do...oh college, it goes by so fast! Okay, time to get working on my assignments...wish me luck and I promise I will post pictures soon!

[fairy-wren]

[laugh-addict]

MEANWHILE IN AUSTRALIA

BOBBLE-HEADED BIRDS

RABBITS MATING WITH RATS

TINY HERBIVOROUS BEARS

PLUSH TOYS MAGICALLY COME TO LIFE

LIZARDS-

 WHAT THE FUCK

WALKING FEATHER DUSTERS

THE FUCK IS THIS IDEK BUT IT DESERVES A HUG

THE MOST FABULOUS BIRDS SINCE FLAMINGOS

WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS THING IT’S LIKE A DOG BRED WITH A MEERKAT

WELL IT’S PRETTY CUTE I G- JESUSFUCK

AND MORE LIZARDS

FUCK MAN EVERYWHERE HAS LIZARDS WHAT’S THE BIG D- WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK

AND WHATEVER THIS THING IS WILL FUCK UP A HONEY BADGER

WHAT YOU THINK CUZ IT’S LIKE 80% DESERT HERE WE DON’T GOT PENGUINS FUCK YOU WE GOT PENGUINS IN SWEATERS

HEY I THINK YOU SAW THIS ONE IN A MUSEUM ONCE

ALSO HEY ENJOY OUR BEAUTIFUL BEACHES ALSO THIS FUCKER

AND THIS GUY

AND THIS GUY WANTS TO KILL YOU TOO

AND HOLY FUCK LOOK AT THIS THING

JESUS CHRIST THEY COME IN POCKET VERSIONS

BACK TO THINGS THAT WANT YOU DEAD

WEREN’T EXPECTING THAT WERE YOU.

SO YEAH, COME VISIT AUSTRALIA.

WE’RE ALL FUCKING WAITING WITH OUR WEIRD SHIT.

P.S.

This is the best post on tumblr.

Realising that most of these things are australian Also

via lolsofunny=)

[andersinoz-blog]

Just had to reblog this haha. Look at all the variety! Very proud indeed. :)

[andersinoz-blog]

Still on spring break!

But here's some of my favorite street art in Melbourne for your viewing pleasure! http://www.flickr.com/photos/84202374@N02/

[andersinoz-blog]

Just a sneak preview of some street art in Melbs.

[andersinoz-blog]

Day 1 of Melbourne: success!

How do I even begin to describe Melbourne? This is the kind of city I have been looking for. The vibe is very San Francisco/Greenwich Village in New York. The city center and transportation system here is a lot more organized than Sydney—- it’s easy to walk around and explore! My favorite part would have to be the alley ways adorned with street art and graffiti, where the hidden coffee places and bars lie. It was exactly what I expected it to be: a lot of culture, music, art, and hipsters. Even though my flatmate, Anita and I only slept around 2-3 hours, we went straight into exploring. We started off at the Queen Victoria Markets, which had heaps of random and cheap stuff! Definitely going back again. Then off we went into the city center, where we found great stores to shop (more of my style than Sydney) and lots of amazing street art to take pictures of. We then met up with her friend who studied abroad with her in Mexico, Ella. She looks like Mandy Moore, but dresses like Zooey Deschanel…you feel me? She is super chill and showed us the most hipster bars in Melbourne. Section 8 was outdoors and of course, graffiti all over the place. Then we had dumplings in a Shanghai restaurant. After, we went to The Croft Institute, which was also hidden in an alley. It had a very creepy feel to it, which I liked. I’m guessing it was hospital themed. The women’s restroom had a hospital bed in it and we drank mixed vodka drinks with syringes! We ended the night at E55, which looked like a cafe haha! Comfy couches and a warm mulled cider was all I needed. I just had to post because I couldn’t wait to share my first day in Melbourne with you guys. It’s funny how it was my second choice for EAP. I wonder, what would it be like if UNSW did not accept me? But no, don’t regret Sydney at all because the city is amazing and I love my friends that I have met there. Besides, there were about 9 UCSD students at U. of Melbourne and to be honest, I would not want to be around so many of them. I am here to expand my horizons! Okay, the others have arrived in the hostel just right now. They had a 7 AM flight! So sorry for them, but I am sure some food and good coffee would make them ready to explore the city. Wait till I post pictures, so you can see for yourself what I am talking about. Talk soon, cheers!

[andersinoz-blog]

Let the adventures begin!

Finished packing at 2 AM, with a 9:30 AM flight the next morning. A stuffed duffel bag and a camera is all I need. Off to Melbourne!

Lesson of the day: To anyone who is traveling/going abroad in the future, pack a lot of clean underwear!

[andersinoz-blog]

Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things – air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky – all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it.

Cesare Pavese

Cheers to spring break!

[andersinoz-blog]

It's the end of August already?

One of many reflection posts I will have here:

Seriously where did the time go? I could have sworn my birthday did not seem too long ago. It's been two months here and I feel like time is running out. So many places to see and so many things to do with the people I love here. I think my parents are really starting to miss me...I can tell by the more frequent phone calls haha. It's cute and I really miss my parents too!

Studying abroad has given me a newfound independence. It's a lot different than the first day when I moved into my dorm at UCSD. There's a beautiful freedom I have here, where I set my own time to study and explore one of the world's most livable cities. I can't quite fully explain it, but I feel older here.

Speaking of time flying and exploring, my mid-semester break starts this Thursday! I am excited to get a sneak peek of Melbourne, a truly cultural city in Australia, then drive down the Great Ocean Road for some breathtaking sights, and escape to the tropical rainforest in Cairns and snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef. Unfortunately, there will be heaps of papers and presentations to do after, so I should buckle down on my studies soon! I had trouble falling asleep for the first time last night. I just started thinking...a lot. I always live by the motto, "live in the moment", but I couldn't help but wonder what will happen after this experience. How am I going to feel when I leave my friends here? It's something I should not worry about right now, but I guess my mind wandered off in that direction somehow. Christmas sounds like a good idea here, where it will be summer in Australia, but I'm wondering if I celebrate New Years too, will that be pushing it? UCSD starts school on January 7th, which is so so early! I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but when else in my lifetime will I celebrate these two special holidays down under? I've got some thinking to do...

I will post pictures soon of Max Brenner's Chocolate Bar! It's unfortunate that there's only one in the states, but the food was to die for! I seriously got a chocoheadache...haha. I am off to the library now, then I will visit my relative in Cabramatta. Cheers everyone!