Michigan State University Athletics
Kristin Matula Study Abroad: Week One - Melbourne
7/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
By Kristin Matula
Week 1: Melbourne
Word of the week: Heeps - meaning very, or a lot ("That was heeps of fun mate")
The first day has felt like it has lasted about three days... After a 15-hour flight, which included sleeping for the first six hours, watching four movies and trying to get comfortable in the middle seat of the plane, we have finally arrived in Melbourne! They want us to be up and occupied so that the jet lag doesn't set in right away. We are off to take a tour around the city and get to know the places we might want to go later!
Some places that I found the best were Hosier La, which is an alley that is filled with local artists who have painted graffiti on the walls and sides of the buildings, and the Flinders Street Station, which I find amazing because of the architecture and amount of people who visit every day.
The next couple of days were filled with visiting the VIS (Victoria institute of Sport). This is a place where the top athletes around Victoria (but mostly Melbourne) are almost "recruited" to come and be a part of the program where they receive scholarships to train in their sport. The coolest thing about it is that most of these athletes are training because they have the aspiration to compete for Australia in the Olympics or other major events. Talk about a dream come true!
Throughout the day we heard from many speakers who had all types of different backgrounds and talked about the obstacles they faced. They gave all forms of advice and inspirational talks that were specific to their sport, but were very much applicable to us students. Some of the people we got to hear from included a man on the Australian rowing team, John Linke, a women on the national water polo team, Rowie Webster, a Paralympian, Jack Swift and an Olympic runner Kaila McKnight.
The next day we were able to attend an Aussie Rules Football game which is almost like a combination of American Football and Rugby. It is being played at what they call the MCG and this stadium is MASSIVE!
The last day in Melbourne was spent out on the Great Ocean Road. This is a trip that I would suggest everyone and anyone who visits Australia to go on! The amazing scenery and beautiful landscapes that you are surrounded by the entire trip are truly breathtaking. The most fascinating element of the trip was definitely seeing the Twelve Apostles, which are pillars of limestone that have been formed due to erosion and lie just off the coast. The pictures taken truly do not do them justice because it is just amazing what nature can create.
Well that's all I got from Melbourne. We are now headed to Sydney! Australia has been so good so far, and as of now I never want to leave (hopefully you aren't reading this mom)!
