The end!

Hi everyone-

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who kept up with my blog this semester. It was a really fun way to keep track of all of my adventures and memories and I'm glad I got to share it with you.

A huge thank you to my family who made this all possible. Your support and encouragement meant the world to me. You provided me with an experience of a lifetime and I will be forever grateful.

A shout out to all of my Australian friends as well as my new American friends I met in Newcastle. You guys are seriously some of the best people I have ever met and I miss you all so much already. I am so happy I got to meet you all. You have impacted me in such a positive way and I believe you have changed me for the better. I will always look back at the memories we made with a happy heart. I know we will meet again someday!

To my best friend Kylie: Thank god I had you there with me this semester! Living down the hall from you was so much fun!! Can't wait for the adventures of Kylie and Kimmy to continue!

Studying abroad is such an incredible experience and I encourage everyone to find a way to do it before their college career is over. Plan early and be patient. Applications and planning can be such a pain but it is worth it in the end!

I have had the BEST semester of my college career. These past four and a half months were everything I hoped they would be and more. I return to the US refreshed and rejuvenated, ready to complete my final semester and face the real world. I'm not too sure what the future holds but I know for sure that I will return to Australia someday.

Farewell for now!

UNTIL NEXT TIME,
Kimmy :)

Campus

Hey guys here's some photos of my campus!

The main library

Shortland building (basically the main student union. this is where you find all the food!!)

Bakehouse...I ate here at least once a week. Spinach fetta roll,  a lamington (aussie coconut cake), and an apple juice!

Bridge to the other half of campus

Bar on the Hill...its a really good idea to have a bar on campus

International office on the hunter side

Hunter Building...another student union closer to my dorm

Photos from Gold Coast, Melbourne and Adelaide

 Here's some photos from our trip!

Kylie, Amy, and I at Movie World!

Gold Coast!

Kylie and I under the Surfers Paradise sign

Our tri-bike

Kylie, Christina, Kelsey, and I at Federation Square in Melbourne

Master Chef Australia being filmed!

Me at Bells Beach!

The Twelve Apostles

Kylie and I posing as the London Bridge at the London Bridge rock formation

Glenelg Beach in Adelaide

Met some AFL players at a shopping center in Adelaide!

Pandas at the Adelaide Zoo!

Arizona!

Wow! These past few days have flown by so unbelievably fast! I checked out of my dorm on Sunday (after some serious packing difficulties) and took the train down to Sydney with Kylie. We did some last minute souvenir shopping and went down to Circular Quay to admire the Opera House and bridge one last time. The next day we went to Manly Beach. One of our American friends, Edgar, is staying in Newcastle for a bit longer so he took the train down to hang out with us at the beach. Then on Tuesday Kylie and I did some more last minute shopping and then started our long journey back home. We had a 9.5 hour flight from Sydney to Honolulu and then a 5 hour layover. Then we had a 6 hour flight to Phoenix. Mom and Dad were there to meet me and I am currently in a hotel unable to sleep (its 8pm in Australia right now and I slept quite a bit on the plane). We drive back to Havasu tomorrow. I can't believe I am actually home already. This semester flew by so fast! I'm a whirlwind of emotions as my trip comes to a close. I'll be sure to post one more time since I still owe you guys some photos and some last words on my semester!
Until next time,
Kimmy

Thanksgiving in Australia

Happy Thanksgiving!
I've had a surprising number of people ask me if they celebrate Thanksgiving in Australia...NO!!!!!! Thanksgiving is an AMERICAN holiday!!!! They don't even eat turkey here....like ever. The only place you can find it is at Subway. So Kylie and I decided to have turkey subs for Thanksgiving. It was no feast but I guess it worked out ok. However, just because I'm not having a giant feast does not mean I'm not thankful this year!  I have so much to be thankful for! I am sooooo so thankful for my family who made this semester in Australia possible, all of the amazing people I have met here, and all of the great experiences I have had. I am truly blessed!
Until next time,
Kimmy

Happy Birthday Kylie

Hello!
Kylie's birthday was on Wednesday November 21st. She was really excited to have her birthday in Australia because she would normally have her birthday in the cold. She planned a beach birthday. When we got there it was kind of cloudy and windy so we didn't end up staying for long. Once we got back to campus though it was nice and sunny so we went to the pool instead. We hit the town that night to celebrate! The night before her actual birthday we celebrated with one of our friends Jordan who also had a birthday this week. We all went to Charlestown which is about 20 minutes from campus and went to Strike. We went bowling, played laser tag, and did some karaoke. It was a lot of fun! Happy Birthday to my best friend!! I'm so happy I got to celebrate with her, especially because she is usually in Flagstaff for her birthday and I'm always in Tucson!
Until next time,
Kimmy

Exams in Australia

Hi!
Exams in Australia are pretty different from exams in the states. Normally you get them all done in a week but here exam time is over many weeks. At home, your exam would most likely be in a multiple choice or true/false format. However, here you have essay exams. They pass out exam books that are filled with blank pages and you end up doing a LOT of writing. I am finally finished with my exam. I didn't study a lot for it but I still think I did fine! With exams being over, a lot of people are heading home. Its really sad saying goodbye to everyone!
Until next time,
Kimmy