AUSTRALIA!

I refused to come back to the USA so I went to Australia to spend the week with one of my best friends who is studying there for the semester. After a brutal 11 hour layover in Kuala Lumpur, I made it to Sydney around 6 am. The week was incredible and wonderful and I wish I never had to leave. However, it was freezing. It’s their winter now, and coming from the blazing shores in Malaysia, it was quite the shock to my body. I’m too lazy to go through everything that happened in Australia, but below are some highlights.

Taylor was in her last week of classes technically when I was there, so I didn’t want to be a burden. This was very much a vacation for me, and I wanted to relax. Therefore, I only had a very mini bucket list of things to accomplish while in Australia.

#1 See the Sydney Opera house

-we accomplished this on the very first day while walking around the gorgeous Sydney harbor. It’s surreal to see such an iconic building in person

#2 Go surfing

-It’s Australia! I had too. Side note many people here are EXACTLY like the Australian surfer stereotypes, especially in the Wollongong where Taylor is studying. It’s awesome. One of her friends took me out surfing on the beach next to her dorm and holy cow was it hard. I got to wear a wet suit so I didn’t freeze and to make it more legit. The waves continuously slap you in the face and standing up after catching a wave is tricky, but I did it! Once. But still, pretty good for my first time ever sufing! I was better at the body boarding.

#3 See a Kangaroo

-With all the crazy animals in Australia I at least needed to see a kangaroo. We went to a wildlife sanctuary on Friday and I got to see and feed and pet kangaroos to my heart’s content. So many ‘roo selfies!! I also got to see various other animals and Koalas- which are possibly the cutest things you’ll ever see in your life

That was it! My Australian bucket list, complete! We did a few other awesome things as well, such as going to a throwback prohibition whiskey themed bar in Sydney Saturday night and ended up at the casino (I straightened my hair for the first time in 4 months... what a feeling!).

We explored Wollongong, took long walks on the beach and ran to the lighthouse past the wharf. I got to tour campus, and work out at a really nice gym as well as run around the botanical gardens near her university. I met some really awesome people, Australians, Europeans, and Americans, and I never wanted to leave. I took a ferry to Manly, where a food fest was going on and I got to shop and watch all the local surfers show off. Speaking of food, I got to eat TWO delicious pancake meals in Sydney, exactly what I’d been missing in Malaysia.

Honestly though, it was very low key, very relaxed, very Australian. The perfect ending to my study abroad and a perfect transition before jumping into home life and work and summer.

The Meaning of "Adventure"

I titled my blog "A Malaysian Adventure" without realizing how true that statement would be. In a way it's slightly prophetic, as I was playing around with "Asian Invasion" or "Malaysia" or "The Malayisa Experience" before I settled on the current title.

Let me share a quote with you:

"Adventures are never fun while you're having them" -C.S. Lewis

This is an idea that I have really reflected on this semester, and something that has been the basis of a lot of personal growth. Adventure is defined by Webster's online dictionary as an exciting or remarkable experience or an undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks.

Traveling abroad in itself is a remarkable experience, as how often does one have the opportunity to live in a  foreign country for 4 months? I was unbelievably excited to start my journey, and I remember jumping with excitement towards the end of January when I was only a week away from leaving. 

But

It has been an undertaking. I wanted to live somewhere completely different than what I'm used to . Someplace that would place me outside of my comfort zone, a place where I would stand out. Boy, did I get more than I bargained for. The "danger" and "unknown risks" presented themselves when I learned there were 1001 ways to die in Malaysia, starting with heatstroke. I faced ungodly amounts of sweat, and sweltering heat, bed bugs, ruined clothes, and life back home throwing me for a loop in my first month and a half here. I endured stares everywhere I went, professors that didn't understand English that well, and food that hurt my stomach. I had to learn to live with no AC, on a huge campus, with busses that run according to no schedule but the driver's own. I learned what it means to live in a Muslim country, surrounded by women in hijab's and the Call to Prayer blasting 5 times a day. It has been an undertaking, and it wasn't always easy, and it wasn't always fun.

But

I've gotten to do some incredible things and meet some incredible people that I will remember forever. I've been to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Singapore. I've held bats, birds, fish, and reptiles, and I've gone snorkeling in one of the best reefs in the world. I've stayed with a host family, traveled throughout Malaysia, and have eaten some of the best food I think I'll ever have. I've learned about the culture and history of SE Asia and have grown in confidence, maturity, and self awareness. I can live in an Eastern culture, and feel comfortable in 90 degree heat. I've met wonderful local students and found some of the best friends I could have ever asked for in my fellow international friends. You know you're lucky when leaving people after only knowing them for 4 months still produces many tears and a feeling of being lost. It's amazing really, the change that happens when one steps outside of one's comfort zone and embraces the challenges that result. 

So

To get the highs, you have to experience the lows. However, sitting in the Kuala Lumpor Airport on my 11 hour layover before my flight to Sydney, Australia… all I really remember are the highs. And that is why this great undertaking has been the adventure of a lifetime. It's been exciting. It's been remarkable. I've taken on those risks, and experienced some danger. 

I always knew I would make it through the experience. I just never knew how much it would take out of me, and how much I would gain from it. I came, and I lived, but what's more, I thrived.

It's been quite the adventure, in every aspect of that word.

The Last Two Days: A Story of no Sleep

And suddenly.. I was down to just two days and two nights.

Wednesday night I got to play pick up basketball for the last time with the local guys we met on the courts. Following that, there was a joint "Heather's going away and Annabell's Birthday party" that I helped host. It was hot and sweaty-a perfect summary of Malaysia- and a ton of people came. We ended the night at the Reggae Mansion club in Georgetown for some good techno dancing. Marie and I slept over in the apartments and went swimming until we got kicked out by the security guard around 4 am. Got a solid couple of hours of sleep that night.

Thursday night was the international Gala night for all the exchange students at the University. It was Greek Themed.. basically a Toga Party. It went a lot like the Gustavus Farewell dinner we had on Tuesday, but with even more food and better desserts! Later on, a bunch of us went back to Reggae Mansion for round 2. I grabbed a taxi back around 2:30 am after many tearful goodbyes so that I could eat something, finish packing, and shower, before getting picked up by the bus to go to the airport at 4:30 am. No sleep for me.

I just can't believe it's over. I'm not ready to leave (despite my cheer in the picture below).

Farewell Dinner

Tuesday night, the eve after we finished our last final, there was a farewell dinner held at a nice hotel in Penang. All of the faculty that were involved with the teaching, planning, and implementing this pioneer "Gustavus Semester in Malaysia" program were invited along with the local university student "buddies" who were around the full 4 months helping us out with anything we might need.

It was a wonderful night, with a few performances, a lot of awards, and really delicious food that included SALAD with RANCH dressing! Thats huge for us. We got up as Gustavus students and sang the most famous Malaysia song (quite badly) and then later entertained them with our poor traditional dancing skills but had a lot of fun.

Fun fact, I got randomly selected to give a short speech about my experiences in Malaysia in front of these like 100 people. Can't say I was too thrilled… however, I think it went ok? Totally scary though to have nothing prepared and to have all these people looking at you and your mind going totally blank. If I never get thrown into that situation again I'd be okay with it.

Here are some photos from the event! I should point out that the dress theme was officially "traditional" but I opted out and instead went for "formal." I borrowed this really cool black dress with cut outs on top that I wish I could keep.

Singapore

I spent the weekend from Friday morning until Sunday night in Singapore, and it was incredible. A truly modern, western-like city in the middle of Asia. I loved it and could have spent a few more days there, although it is quite expensive. We toured most of the city, including Chinatown, Little India, Marina Bay, the Colonial District, Botanical Gardends, and Orchard road. Below are some highlights.

Magnum Ice cream Birthday Party!
-Apparently it was the 25th birthday party of the Magnum Ice cream store in Singapore on friday night, and they were giving away free customized ice cream. Unfortunately the line was incredibly long. Fortunately, Asians are too shy to yell at you if you budge… I feel kinda bad about it but the ice cream was SO WORTH IT.

 Skybar delights
-After walking through the "Gardens by the Bay" aka the avatar gardens, we went to the highest sky bar in Asia. For way to much money, you get to go to the 62nd floor and get a free drink (Singapore Sling for me!) and enjoy the 360 degree outdoor view. It was an incredible view and the music was really good! Too expensive to buy any more drinks, we left for a cheaper bar, and met some English people who took us under their wings and brought us to "the best bar in singapore- the China1. They gave us VIP entry, and we all hung out dancing and drinking to a live band. Great night.

Orchard Road
- My inner shopaholic and girly girl was satisfied when we walked down the huge orchard road with various malls spaced along it. I've never seen so many high fashion stores in one place! Jimmy Choo, Dolce & Gabanna, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Armani, Valentino, Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Versace… it goes on and on. I tried on a absolutely beautiful dress in Dolce & Gabanna. It only cost $2990. Wow. How many people can say they've worn a $3000 dress? I can! I felt like I was in New York of Paris… not Southeast Asia.

It was a wonderful last official weekend of study abroad. A few more finals to go, and then I'm gone to Australia!! I added a few more random pictures from Sinapore below.