21

“Ones Destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things”

Henry Miller

Since I have been here ive had many Australians ask me, “why Bendigo? There is nothing special about it. How did you end up at a school like this” to which first of all I had no choice in choosing Bendigo due to my major, but secondly if I had a chose I would not choose any different. I am so happy to be at this small school inland Australia in the country. I had a conversation with another exchange student from London who studied abroad the year before at Bendigo. Both of us talked about how everyone who studies abroad here typically goes to the big cities like Sydney and Melbourne. The people who do that live in housing with other exchange students. They may be in the country but they are not fully immersed in the culture. In Bendigo im surrounded by culture all my friends im making here are from this country. Being in Bendigo I get to experience what most tourist dont, the small towns that no one knows about, the elements that many people grew up with here that they are excited to show me. Like timtams (chocolate cookie things), shapes (crackers) and late night Kmart or Woolworth runs. This past weekend I was invited to a 21st Birthday Party in Shepparton. A town many of the friends I have made here are from and when asking about it again people told me there is nothing special about it. As I left to head up to this town I spent 1.5 hours in a car smooshed between two people playing riddle games and fun car games like Ispy. We arrived after dark and were the first ones there. I walked into the backyard talking in all the little things that made this place a home. From all the family pictures that were displayed throughout the house to even the amount of family members who came to celebrate this day. Throughout the party I met many new people and talked and danced with many I already knew. There was a constant flow of snacks, food and alcohol that kept most of us up till the early hours of the morning. We all danced our hearts out and enjoyed short breaks by the toastie fire. I wouldn’t want the night to have gone any differently, it was a event ill never forget. The morning consisted of us slowly rolling off coaches, out of beds or out of tents pitched in the backyard. Everyone was feeling the nights events in this early morning for sure. Luckliy Kellys parents are amazing and made us all bacon and egg sammys on the grill. Everyone hungrily wanting to get up and silently enjoying every bite. We spent the rest of the morning in and around the pool and soaking up the sun. Relaxing and reliving the nights events. This was truly a experience like no other and I was able to see what made a place a home to all my friends I have made here. That is something not everyone gets to experience when traveling abroad, it is something I hope to experience more while I am here and everywhere I chose to travel.