This week marks one month left on my three-month journey to the land down under. The crazy part about it is that it feels like a week ago that I was moving into my 8 people flat with half Pitt and half UMass girls. This week I was hit with the “after midterms now project and paper season”. I’m assigned a paper for each one of my classes and a group project for one class as well as one for my internship credit class. I’m going to Melbourne this weekend so obviously I was stressing to get all the work done in time – and that I did. I stayed on campus after class and came early on the days that I don’t have work before/after and got all my work done. Now I can go to Melbourne with nothing holding me back from having yet another memorable weekend!
At work, this week was rather hectic. The rebranding collateral that I briefed in was due this week to be printed on 1 April – it was not done. The creative and my team could not agree on what we wanted our brochures to look like. After about a 2-hour meeting of putting both teams’ ideas together, we now have the final look we want. The brochures will go to print next week! Also at work, I was invited to participate in sunrise fitness classes at the House for free. I went on Monday for yoga, while it was tough to wake up, seeing the sunrise and reflect off the SOH sails – that was a pretty unreal feeling. These were the trial classes and will launch to the public in two weeks. I’m helping the campaign manager with this campaign as of this week, and this means I’ll be a “model” for the classes and have to pose for photos to go to print and online. I’m just hoping they don’t take any “downwards dog” photos. But I’ll go down in Sydney Opera House history!
I’ve been getting closer with my co-workers, going to lunch, happy hours, and allocating 30 minutes after coming into work to chat. Speaking of, this is a cultural norm I’ve noticed about Australia – their work culture is very lax compared to the U.S. Every morning I used to walk into work, ask about everyone’s night/weekend and get to work. Now, I’ve learned that they perceive that as you being “cold” and not wanting to chat, when in my defense, this is how my previous work experience went. Every morning I walk in at 9am, chat with my team and the team that sits next to mine for minimum 30 minutes and then get to work. There is an unsaid rule of no meetings before 9:30am which I find so interesting! Definitely not complaining. Also this week, I saw an opera with my co-workers! It was the opera Turandot which is apparently an internationally renowned opera. It was outdoors with a view of the SOH and fireworks (which made it all worth it). It was drizzling on and off but our spirits were still high and we stayed until the end! Another bonding experience I had was with an Easter egg hunt today. I’m an honorary member of the social committee (because I’m part time), therefore, I went around our office with the other members and hid chocolate eggs. I ate about half in my bag, two hot-crossed-buns, and a giant stomach ache – but it was well worth it. I love how my team is so accepting and wants to include me in their culture, it goes a long way for an intern.
This week I did find time for myself outside of school and work. I went to Palm Beach over the weekend, which is the most northern beach in Sydney. It was a beautiful beach – even though the autumn weather is slowly kicking in. We hiked up to the lighthouse and overlooked the beach and the bay on the sunset. Beautiful view, I always try and catch the sunsets. Also, there was a rugby game hosted by CAPA, my educational program. There were about 30 of us who went to the Bulldogs rugby game which is held in Olympic Park, where the 2000 Summer Olympics were held. CAPA also negotiated us to go on the field and get a picture which was awesome! I had no idea what was going on, but I love the sports atmosphere so I still had a great time. During the week - I went to a cat café with one of my roommates, it was just as amazing as it sounds. For $20 AUD, I got a coffee, cookie and an hour with the cats. I’m honestly considering getting a membership for my last month here because I loved it so much.
Now I’m off to Melbourne for the Easter weekend with a few of my friends here. Not going to be as good as my Easter meal would be at Grandma’s but it’ll do until I’m home. Happy Easter everyone!
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