My First Week of School

After getting settled in Sydney, I stepped onto campus at University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Since it was orientation week I was able to make a ton of new friends (from around the world), explore the campus, and learn about the different cultures in Australia.

I have discovered a cheat code to making new friends here, which is use the line "I'm from Hawai'i" and anyone and everyone is instantly your friend. As diverse as Sydney is, they also are sure to pay all due respect to the Aboriginal tribes. At the start of every event "UTS acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation and the Boorooberongal People of the Dharug Nation upon whose ancestral lands our campuses now stand" (UTS.edu.au). This was a really eye-opening experience and was something that instantly made me think of the Native Hawaiian population and small things that we could do to bring awareness to the situation in Hawai'i.

I even got the opportunity to watch and be a part of a Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony. The smoke is said to have healing and medicinal properties!