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Meghan's Blog
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 Speaking out about Climate Change Refugees
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009 1:23 PM
This weekend, I joined the Bond University International Relations Club in a Model UN competition. I served as the delegate from Turkey on the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). We explored the infrastructure that will need to be put in place to deal with the 200 million people who will be potentially displaced due to climate change over the remainder of this century. We also discussed whether the potential impact of climate change, as defined by the IPCC, warrants the need in particular, whether the term “refugee” ought to encompass those displaced from their livelihoods by the effects of climate change. We talked about those at risk in the low lying coastal settlements (which are especially vulnerable to rising sea levels), the farm regions that are dependent on rivers fed by glacier melt and snowmelt, sub-humid and arid regions that are likely to experience greater drought frequency and humid areas in Southeast Asia vulnerable to changes in monsoon patterns.
I am happy I participated and eager to do one of Santa Clara’s MUNC when I return to campus in January!
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Hearing "NO" makes "YES" even BETTER
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009 1:21 PM
Sidenote: Please enjoy this picture. Reason #458,972 to take deep breaths during trying times and simply say, “No worries, Mate!”
Have you ever heard the expression looking for a job IS a full-time job? Because that is exactly how I feel!
I cannot seem to be able to find an employer that wants to hire me. Anywhere. The economy has fallen to pieces and no one can afford to offer another paycheck. The school library clerk and sports hall manager have yet to respond to my e-mails or phone messages. My friend even passed out his resume at fast-food restaurants at the local mall’s food court to no avail. Who knew casual employment would be so hard to come by?
To be honest, I have worked two waitressing positions since I have been here. HOWEVER, they both have fallen through the cracks. Funny story, really. Instead of saying, “No, I can’t offer you a position because you don’t fulfill the requirements,” you get the tease of “Sure, come in next week, fill out the tax form, wear the uniform, we’ll see you then!” My first waitressing experience had me meet six different managers before they hired me. After filling out all of the paper work, I arrived on my first day to hear that they could not train me for such a short period. Terrific.
My favorite of the two sagas is the encounter with the second restaurant. Not only was I given the employee uniform, I also worked two shifts. I did not realize that I wasn’t truly employed until the manager would not come out of her office to talk to me about my official work schedule.
Lesson learned: Now, I know that things Down Under are completely different in the working world. I’m not so sure I will be coming back after graduation in search of a job.
Therefore, suffering my recent “job lay-offs,” I’m beginning to worry about the lack of disposable income in my pockets. I’m not going to be able to travel as much as I had planned without a paying job. As for now, I’m back at square one and hoping to get “holiday work” in November. Until then, it looks like I will be satisfied with exploring the Gold Coast and eating on-campus at the dining hall. Nevertheless, here’s to wishing!
On a happier note, because of the hubabahloo of job searching and hearing “NO!” so often, my victory of a “yes” has tasted that much sweeter. I landed an internship a couple of blocks away from school at Bendigo Community Bank. I am super jazzed for having a work placement in a foreign country! I think the experience itself is a tremendous benefit, especially since I am gaining an international perspective on the banking business. Bendigo isn’t solely focused on banking services—they have a social-conscience mission to give a percentage of their profits to the local community. I think that their two aims of providing quality financial services and helping fund local projects in their community will make interning at Bendigo a rewarding experience and guide me in determining my future career path.
I know money comes and goes—it is passion that outlasts. Since I love traveling, I know I’ll find a way to fund my trips outside of Queensland. If there’s a will, there’s a way!
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Library Lockdown
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009 1:14 PM
Schoolwork has greatly built up these past two weeks! I have been spending an increased amount of time in the library and have seen my meal points drain as I purchase coffee after coffee to stay up for the late hours… I am loving my Australian Politics class. The class has a fair number of international students—always making for engaging class discussions about what the international perspective of Australia is on the world stage. I recently finished a group project examining the United States and Australian alliance and how AUSFTA, the Defense-Cooperation Treaty and the Copenhagen Call all affect the future of the relationship. The relationship has been in the spotlight most recently since the administration has changed from Howard and Bush’s to Rudd and Obama’s. The few Australian students in the class had many reasons for how the reenactment of the ANZUS treaty by Howard the day after September 11th was a major disadvantage for Australia.
Marketing has been pretty easy-going for all of my lectures. We have had a couple quizzes but no major assessments yet. I’ve been working with my group in class to begin writing our proposal for our final project about Red Bull’s international marketing campaign. I’m hoping to finish designing my presentation about Gatorade’s successful target marketing this week, too. My United Nations class is absolutely fascinating! Each week, a class member presents on a significant UN dilemma. I presented today about the ineffectiveness of peacekeeping in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. I felt particularly passionate about my topic because of my visit to Mostar, Bosnia this summer on my Human Rights and Social Justice voyage with Semester at Sea. I saw how the devastations of the war are still visible today. I was able to incorporate some of the pictures I had taken near the UNESCO protected Stari Most Bridge that showed the city’s decision to leave the bullet holes and mortar shelling remains on their streets and buildings. That begin said, right now, my number one focus is my corporate finance class. I have my FINAL EXAM in two weeks. Why it is in the middle of the semester—I have no idea. I’m thankful that it will be finished before I have to do my corporate governance project for the class. It’s difficult juggling different tasks for one class when they have equal importance, and grade weight. I keep telling myself not to worry about my grades while I’m abroad but I hate to see the GPA fall just because the grading system is unfamiliar. My big in DG said it perfectly while studying for the MCATs, “I work too hard to settle for average grades.” So, like her, I am not going to be satisfied with anything less then the best…
We’ll see what happens!
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Jumping off mountains-no big deal!
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009 1:52 PM
After many hugs to the kids at Uni Sydney, it was time for me to go to the Blue Mountains. I met up with the group early at the train station to board our 2 hour bus ride to Katoomba. On the way, we took a pit stop at Featherdale Wildlife Park. We fed kangaroos and held cuddly koalas. I stayed away from the deadly spiders and snakes—but, got up close and personal to the crocodile. Okay, we were separated by thick glass. Still cool, though!
Katoomba was a pretty little town with Federation architecture. It was here that we met up with our local Aboriginal guide, Goomblar. He taught us how to throw a boomerang! I wasn’t good, at all, but it was interesting to watch everyone else have a go. Goomblar also played us some traditional music on the Didgeridoo (traditionally called Yidaki). Next, we walked to Echo Point and Katoomba Falls Reserve. We must have been well-behaved because he invited us back to the Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Center for a family dinner.
We listened to Goomblar’s storytelling about the Aboriginal culture around the campfire. They were 40,000 year old Aboriginal stories! My personal favorite Dream Time story was about the three sisters. Long story short, the Aboriginal legend says that there were three sisters from the Katoomba tribe who lived in the Jamison Valley; they were turned into stone by a witchdoctor to protect them from three brothers from the Nepean tribe. There was a great battle and the witchdoctor was killed before he could turn the sisters back to their former beauty so they remained rock formations for all time. Hearing him talk about THE three sisters, I couldn’t wait to jump off them tomorrow.
Unfortunately, we didn’t do it! Since we were amateur abseilers, we weren’t able to rapel down them. Instead, we jumped off 10 meter (10 stories=100 feet!!!) cliffs on the other side of the Blue Mountains National Park. Three hours of abseiling later, it was time to visit Scenic World. We took the Scenic Railway, the steepest incline railway in the world, and saw the breathtaking views of the Jamison Valley and the Three Sisters! After trekking Giant Staircase and Prince Henry Cliff, it was time to go back to the land of Bond. :)
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SCU Reunion in Sydney!!!!
Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 2:49 PM
I had the best time visiting friends in Sydney this weekend. After receiving daily, update e-mails from Delta Gamma about recruitment for new members, I was missing my sisters back at school. Thankfully, all I had to do was head to Sydney to meet up with two of my DG friends!
I headed out of the Gold Coast airport on Wednesday night to land in Sydney only a short hour later. I had no idea the plane ride was going to be that quick! It makes me want to take more trips to Sydney just because of the travel time.
I hopped a cab over to Newtown to meet up with a high school friend who is completing her post-graduate studies in environmental science at the University of Sydney. The next morning she gave me a brief tour of her part of the city before heading off to class. I had four hours on my own before the SCU kids were finished with their engineering tuts of the day. I took the Circular Quay bus around the city to give myself a good idea of the layout to get a game-plan in mind. I decided to get off, do some walking, people watching, and in search of a caffeine fix from Starbucks. After a boost in energy, I headed over to Paddy’s Market, the largest market in the country! It was fun looking at all of the different products sold by the vendors. I took a breather from the madness of packed people and made my way over to the Botanic Gardens. The weather was not exactly cooperating and before I knew it, the rain had begun and I was pulling on my raincoat to keep dry.
It was time to reunite with the girls and we decided to meet up at the Queen Victoria Building. The QVB is one of Sydney’s oldest buildings, now converted into a multi-level shopping mall. We were in search for a birthday dress to celebrate the end of her teenage years. Success came and we took the bus back to uni. That night, we went to Darling Harbor for a delicious sushi dinner. After a quick tour of the area, we headed to Glebe for a comedy show.
The next morning started early so I could meet up with one of my friends from Bond who was also going to the Blue Mountains with me. We caught the Manly Ferry from Circular Quay just in time and saw great views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge. Once we disembarked, the rain poured! We searched for shelter and decided to wait it out in a coffee shop. There, we were able to watch tons of people diving and surfing at Shelly Beach. I wish I could have stayed longer at Manly but it was silly to sit cooped inside a café when there was so much I could be doing in the city. We backtracked to the Rocks and enjoyed free admission to the Contemporary Museum of Art. I think it tops the list of housing the most alternative works I have ever seen!
I had worked up an appetite from walking around all day and was thrilled to begin the birthday festivities. In AUSTRALIA! For whatever reason, being in a foreign country makes celebrating birthdays with friends that much more special. Like every true-breed California girl, she loves Mexican food so we dined at Baja Cantina. I was incredibly grateful to have a taste of spiciness after being sentenced to another semester of cafeteria food. But, it did make me miss going to Henry’s with my buddies after school!
This trip was so much fun as I was able to be a part of their life abroad—even if it was just for a couple of days! I cannot wait for all of them to visit me on the Gold Coast.
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Exploring the largest sand island in the WORLD!
Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 2:43 PM
I capitalized on the chance to go visit Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world, this weekend. Protected by UNESCO, Fraser Island is famous for its endless piles of sand, abundant wildlife, tropical rainforests and crystal-clear freshwater creeks and lakes. It was amazing to be surrounded by such beauty!
I traveled with friends in a 4WD safari truck=remarkably bumpy. By the time we had driven to Rainbow Beach—essentially the gateway to Fraser Island—we were all ready to jump out of the truck. Lucky for us, we had a 20 minute ferry-ride to take before we hopped back onto the truck for our 75 miles journey down the renowned beach to our resort for the weekend.
After a bit of a rest, I loved hiking through the spectacular sand and ridge wilderness of Hammerstone Sand Blow to get to the stunning beaches of Lake Wabby. We raced down the sand dunes to roll into the brisk water. We were beachbums on the white, sandy beaches as we basked in the sun and planned what parts of the island we would venture to during our stay. We capped off the night with a dip into beautiful Lake Birrabeen.
The next morning, we climbed up Indian Head, the most easterly point of the island, to witness some of the most outstanding, panoramic views of the island. We even spotted a few whales and a family of dolphins! Obviously, this was in addition to the hundreds of different birds that fly around the island. We stopped for a photo op at the Maheno Wreck before heading onwards to the towering, colored sands of The Cathedrals. The weather was a bit chilly and I wasn’t particularly stoked to jump into the fast-flowing Eli Creek—but, when was the next time I would have a refreshing swim on Fraser Island? We headed in our jeep to the tropical rainforests where we hung from the limbs of Central Station’s trees. My favorite part of the rainforest (and the weekend) was swimming in Wanggoolba Creek and drinking the fresh water directly from its spring.
The weekend trip was an awesome escape from the schoolwork that has piled up the first couple of weeks. I’m really happy I was able to see such a special part of Queensland and add another UNESCO World Heritage site to my travels’ list!
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And, this is my life...
Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 2:39 PM
I’m sitting on my new sofa, outside on my new balcony, overlooking the Olympic size pool. I’m pinching myself. Is this a dream?
I’ve been at Bondie for one week. It has been an up and down rollercoaster ride—full of excitement and some disappointments. After a slow and relaxing beginning in Sorrento, I arrived at Bond and was hit with the fast-pace of Bond Week. Bond Week is the week devoted before the semester begins to orient all the new students to life at Bond. Basically, it meant another series of orientation talks and learning about how Bond is here for us whenever we think we need help with a problem or if we just want to talk to someone about homesickness.
Luckily, my homesickness hasn’t set in—yet. I know that after being abroad this summer that you start missing home when you have nothing to do. For example, when you are sailing through the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and all of your friends are in class and your internet minutes have disappeared and you are seasick. Not fun. But, I’m thinking that I will not be homesick—only friendsick. I haven’t been with my friends at SCU since June and it is driving me crazy! After two straight years of being around your best friends everyday, it’s a huge change to be meeting new people everyday who don’t know anything about you.
That being said, I am meeting a ton of international students at Bond. In fact, it’s kind of strange because I have only met one Australian student! I am living in the Accommodation Center on campus which houses mostly study abroad students. My roommate also goes to SCU. It’s crazy how I came half way across the world and then I meet someone who goes to my uni at home—but that I have never even met before! Even though I am bummed that I’m not living with any Australians, I guess it will just push me to be extra-friendly in class to get the true, cultural experience.
Speaking of classes, the academic structure at Bond is nothing that I’m used to! You have classes twice a week—one, a tutorial, is with about 10 students that meets for an hour while the other class, a lecture, has somewhere between 50-300 students that meets for two hours. Needless to say, we are expected to do the majority of work outside of class. My studies this semester are focused on Corporate Finance, Fundamentals of Marketing, the United Nations Impact and Australian Politics. It was a horror getting into them. I am much more appreciative for SCU’s easy-to-use eCampus for registering. I think I’ve been to five meetings this week trying to sort out all of the issues with timetables. The problem was that my classes that SCU approved didn’t go through the Arcadia system to pre-register me at Bond=I had to do all of my registration this week when the majority of the classes were already full of students. Thankfully, everything worked out for the best and I will be getting credit for my major and minor while I am here.
Another speedbump that I ran over this week has been securing an internship. I had planned to be working while I was here to gain an edge with international business but misunderstood that Bond didn’t guarantee you would have an internship if you only study one semester. I’m not going to give up hope, though. I know how beneficial an abroad internship will be after taking my international business class this summer with the University of Virginia. It opened up my eyes as I pushed myself past my comfort zone learning about cultures, traditions, religions and backgrounds to gain an appreciation of diversity on a global level. These experiences allowed me to understand countries I have visited and to draw connections between my in-class learnings with practical experiences to enhance my awareness of global issues. Long story short, I’m in the midst of working with the Bond Career Center to help me with a placement in the vicinity. Since I don’t have a car, I’m limited with how far I can travel to be doing the internship.
Sooooooo, I realize now that I won’t have a paid internship and I need to begin job searching to help me fund the travel plans for this semester. I’m crossing my fingers that there will be someone willing to hire me. Again, I’m counting my lucky stars that the Career Center at SCU helps you get on-track with Bronco Link to get a job on-campus. I’ve applied to a couple restaurants in the area and am waiting to hear back from the school library and gym on-campus. I figure if I keep looking and passing out the resume, something will turn up!
And, this is my life. One crazy week at Bond Uni—grappling with a new culture and missing the conveniences of SCU. As I sit here, watching the sun set over the lake, it’s hard to not be thankful for all of the challenging opportunity that lays before me. And, how life-changing this semester truly is!
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Go, Saints, Go!
Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 2:36 PM
The first segment of my Australian abroad experience is finished—orientation! After staying in rainy Sorrento for four days, I am now on the edge of my seat, ready to get to uni. However, there are a couple barriers in my way 1) I’m still in Victoria and 2) School hasn’t even opened for the semester.
After waving adieu to Sorrento, I ventured my way into the city of Melbourne with other Arcadia study abroad friends. We stopped on our way there for a tasty lunch in the quaint town of St. Kilda where I learned that AFL=life. It’s funny how people’s livelihood can be centered around a sport I didn’t even know existed.
By the time we arrived in the city, we were anxious to begin touring the beautiful sights. I loved being able to travel around unfamiliar territory again! I walked around Melbourne Town Hall, Federation Square, the New Quay, Royal Exhibition Building and the Arts Centre. I loved admiring the public art in the Royal Botanic Gardens, too.
While aimlessly wandering, we stumbled upon the Melbourne Cricket Club. I couldn’t believe it! I had no idea the heart and soul of AFL was going to be smack-dab in the center of the city. My friend and I jumped at the chance to watch the game. And, what do you know? St. Kilda Saints were playing!!! Imagine our luck. We grabbed the tickets and marched right to our seats to enjoy the opening ceremony where we pretended we didn’t stick out like sore thumbs. After a bit of black and white paint on our faces and spunky, Saint scarves wrapped around our necks, we were cheering just as loudly as the Australians surrounding us. “Go! Saints! Go!” What a rush! I could definitely get used to attending games like this. It made me wish we had a football team or at least more tailgating at Santa Clara. There is something incredibly intriguing about that kind of atmosphere—we need to reinstate it into our traditions!
After the game, the rest of the day flew by. Before I know it, I will be on the plane headed to school. I’m looking forward to living in the sunshine again and ditching the cold that greeted me in Victoria. Onward to PARADISE!
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Living Down Under!
Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 2:35 PM
I’m officially experiencing my Australian adventure. I am studying abroad this quarter in Robina, Queensland, which is located on the Gold Coast of Eastern Australia. I’m attending Bond University—a school known for “studying in paradise” since it is only a few minutes drive from the famed Surfer’s Paradise.
However, I have yet to arrive at this school of wonder! I’m currently staying in the town of Sorrento in Victoria (a state south of Queensland). Sorrento is a sleepy, beachside town on the Mornington Peninsula. I am here for my orientation program sponsored by Arcadia University—the school partnered with SCU to accredit me for my studies down under.
Thus far, I haven’t had much time to explore Sorrento because our schedule has been jammed pack with talks about what to expect when we arrive at Uni. The advice has mainly been about how to make our study abroad experience work well: what classes to take, how to find a job, when/where to travel, where to buy basic necessities, how to stay in touch with family and friends at home, etc. There was also much talk about financial issues since the exchange rate is unfavorable for all of us American students. Ah, the effects of the global financial crisis!
We also have been learning about the different behavioral codes they have in place in Australia. I quickly found out that things around here—not so much like the way of the United State’s universities! I was expecting the culture shock to be slim to none but realize now that will not be the case. Australian culture is drastically different from the one I am accustomed to at home. I had no idea how “easy-going” it was going to be and how many times a day I would hear the phrase: “No worries, Mate!”
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by everything I have learned so far. I’m going to do my best to not compare my time in Australia to Semester at Sea…because, honestly, it was the best summer of my life (please read 8 blogs about the 10 countries I visited to learn more). Therefore, I’ve decided I’m going into this with an open mind and heart—ready for all of the fun and good times that are bound to come!
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Final Words about my Semester at Sea Experience
Monday, Oct. 5, 2009 3:53 PM
A friend once told me: “Life goes by pretty fast—if you don’t stop and look around once and awhile, you might miss it.” Well, Ferris my eyes, ears and heart have been wide open this entire summer. I was young, selfish, reckless, crazy—I was ALIVE to the multitude of opportunities that came before me. People at home know my summer in only one way: I lived on a cruise ship with 699 friends, traveling the Mediterranean Sea and learning about human rights and social justice…But, I think that description doesn’t do my Semester at Sea experience any justice at all.
Life on the M.V Explorer was a collection of memories to treasure: watching sunrises over ancient cities, finding extra kuna in our pockets, swapping pictures with friends, listening to Dia’s voice in the morning, playing games on the 7th deck, attending Explorer’s Seminars, admiring synchronized swimming at Sea Olympics, binging on snacks late at night by the pool bar, singing along at the crew talent show, writing Global Studies papers, and of course, dancing the night away at Ambassador’s ball.
My life off the ship was dramatically different. I was not just touring Europe, Asia and Africa with college students on a cruise ship—I enjoyed an authentic experience in each of the countries on our itinerary. I befriended the locals and learned the world appeal of American ideals like liberty and justice for all. I listened to how they felt connected to the past by the icons that had stood for centuries. I played with their children who were full of curiosity about my life in America. I talked to my new friends about their hopes and dreams for the future, all humble, wanting a better life for their family.
When we arrived in port, we made small differences in the countries we visited. And, these small differences led to a big change—a big change in us. It was the decisions we made that led us to this change in ourselves—like the simple choice to give our boxed breakfast to the beggar children on the street. Or, to give a bigger tip to the waiter at lunch. Or, thanking the taxi cabdriver for speaking English with us. While these motions didn’t seem like much then, or even now, these acts of consideration may well have positively changed the way these people went about their entire day. With our words and actions, we had, in our own small way, bound societies together, making the world a much smaller place.
Regardless of whether our memories happened on or off the MV Explorer, they are all memories of a summer that changed all of us, and the people we met, for the better.
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All the BEST for your upcoming college career!
Sunday, Jun. 14, 2009 12:00 AM
There it went! Another year has gone by at that heavenly place I like to call “my school!” Instead of hashing out a culmination of my sophomore year experiences, I thought instead I would offer some parting words of wisdom:
25 things to do before you graduate!
1. Take a picture with every statue on campus
2. Get involved and join a club or student organization
3. Adventure on the APB Bronco Bus
4. Take a class associated with the Arrupe Center
5. Make a bonfire at Half-Moon Bay with your friends
6. Build a house during an alternative spring break
7. Watch a student production in Mayer Theater
8. Play on an intramural sports team
9. Attend 9:00 PM Sunday campus liturgy
10. Explore the San Francisco Bay area
11. Attend RLCA’s Mr. RLC
12. Work your body with a fitness class in Malley
13. Have lunch with your professor in Adobe Lodge
14. Join Ruff Riders and cheer for our Bronco athletes
15. Go skydiving near the Santa Cruz Mountains
16. Sleepover in the library
17. Study abroad
18. Spend the weekend on a roadtrip with your friends
19. Visit your favorite Jesuit at the illusive residence across campus
20. Attend MCC’s Global Village
21. Jump in the Benson fountain
22. Volunteer with SCCAP
23. Check out a sunset from Swig’s 11th floor
24. Dance the night away at AS’s Red and White University Ball
25. Stargaze in the Mission Gardens with your special someone
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