Hey all you Aussies...

[absolutepressure]

I'm thinkin of going to Newcastle Australia for a semester next year. I'm not sure how the whole bottom side of the world works, so I have a question. In what months do your semesters start, and in what semester would I have the best weather? I'm from Wisconsin, so I can handle anything from +85F to -10F, -40F if I put my coat on, lol. It really depends on the humidity as far as heat goes, but I'd prefer below 85F with 40-50% humidity. I'm guessing our fall would be your spring and our spring would be your fall...am I correct? Thanks.

[Andycostin]

First semester starts at the end of Feb or start of March, and runs 3 months, Second semester starts around the end of July/start of Aug. These depend on which uni you end up at, and change each year usually....

Seasons are as follows.... Summer - Dec, Jan & Feb, etc. and obviously best weather during summer. Unless your on top of the highest mountains down here (or in Tasmania;p) you prob won't see much below 0C (32F)

So that said prob best to come second semester and hang about after it finishes to enjoy the summer... But that's just my 2c

Andrew Costin

[drivetrainUW-Platt]

take some pictures of some kangaroos and Holden's for me absolute.

[neil trama]

Or some Holdens that have hit Kangaroos.

Neil

[rjwoods77]

If anyone askes tell them that you are from Canada. Appartently most young folk in Aussie think that we are all a bunch of foaming at the mouth Bush supporters which they are not fond of since some Aussie soliders got friendly fired by us. I just talked to two engineering kids that got back from doing that and they couldnt believe the attitudes toward americans. I guess there is also an not so underground dislike of Jewish people as well (In a lot of jokes and such). Maybe surfers paradise is only like this but i dunno. It was kind of shocking to here but then again maybe not with all the controversy they have violence between inmmigrant groups and native born. Not saying all are like what I have just said but be aware. If any Aussie are offended by this I am sorry. I'm sure you guys would mention bad things you heard about us if you were coming over here.

[absolutepressure]

Huh. Good to know. Maybe that's why only one person answered my question.

[Charlie]

I've been to Australia three times now, and have found everyone extremely friendly and courteous there. I just recently returned, it is one of my 'favourite' http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif places, well, anywhere!

Unfortunately, Anti-American (more correctly, anti-Bush) sentiment is growing everywhere in the world, even in North America. You do see a fair bit of Anti-American jokes, and politically motivated things on TV. I do think the younger generation in Australia is probably fairly anti US Policy, which transfers to our citizens as well, to an extent. As an American, it makes me sad that this is happening, but I've never had any of it transferred onto myself in any interaction with the people themselves.

I believe that when Bush was re-elected a lot of the anger towards the Bush administration was transferred to the American people. And I kind of got the feeling that the new Democratic election has made the Aussies a bit more forgiving of the Americans. Not trying to be policital or judge anyone, just my observations.

The average Aussie is smart enough to understand that an American visitor is not the enemy and they've no reason to be negative towards them, no matter how unhappy they are with Bush.

Anyway, sorry for the long post. If you get the chance to study in Oz, I say go for it, you won't regret it.

[Matt Gignac]

A bunch of people from mech eng at McGill do semesters in Australia (UNSW, UWA, Melbourne off hand), and they all say the same thing about the people: "They're like Canadians with funny accents". Or another favorite "Think southern hemisphere newfies".

Matt Gignac
McGill Racing Team

[markocosic]

First semester:

Do your first semster (Aug-Dec?) in US winter, maybe head out early for an aus summer on your own and to miss the tail end of your winter, do their first semester (Feb-June?), stick about briefly in aussie winter with new mates, do your first semester (Aug-Dec?) as the weather tails off again.

Second semester:

Finish your second semester (May?), short US summer with yer mates, do their second semester and then aussie summer with new mates before heading back late for your second semester (Feb?), having had two summers and missed most of the US winter.


Second semester gets my vote on the basis you finish work in the sunshine, party in the sunshine, head off somewhere new for a semester in the sunshine, party in their sunshine, then get back in time for your sunshine again... You can go out early to get the aussie summer if you did do the first semester thing, but I think summer would be more of a blast if you'd got to know folks out there (by being there) beforehand.

From what I've seen of exchanges, it's usually easier to catch up on stuff you've missed if you catch the tail-end of 3rd year then do 4th year rather than doing the first bit of 3rd year then missing the tail-end of 3rd year before being thrown into the deep-end during the final-year - not sure what your particular course arrangements are though.

[absolutepressure]

Thanks Marko, that's really good information/advice.

[Big Bird]

Sorry AP, I hadn't even seen this thread. Apologies that you haven't received many responses from down here, I can't speak for others but I don't check Off-Topic too often.

I'm not too good on your temp scale, but from what I can interpret you prefer a colder climate? Newcastle is north of Sydney, and from what I know of Sydney weather it is pretty good - verging on the warmer side. And yep, you got the seasons right. I'm from Melbourne, and down here it starts getting warm in November and remains that way until around March. Cold months May until around September. General temp range in Melbourne - in summer we'll get around 5 or 6 days in the 40's (Celsius), averaging around 30 - in winter, rarely gets below 2-3 degrees, usually around 10-15. Used to rain a bit, but we are in a drought right now.

We sorta talk funny apparently - I never truly realized this until our US trip earlier this year and couldn't even order at Subway without being asked to repeat myself. Be prepared to speak very slowly and gesture a lot to make yourself understood. About the only crew I could easily communicate with were the Texans, and maybe that was because I grew up on a farm.

We drive on the wrong side of the road - or you guys drive on the wrong side of the road. Whatever, it will spin your brain the first time you have to deal with it.

I agree with all the points that Charlie raises above, I think he has summed up the situation pretty well. Unfortunately we are a bit divided as a nation right now, probably more so than at any other time in our history. We have a deeply conservative federal government that has aligned itself heavily with the Bush government and US policy, and this has upset a lot of people - particularly in relation to the Iraq war and the Kyoto protocol. Having said that though, I'd say the overwhelming majority of Australians will be extremely hospitable and welcoming. Most are smart enough to realize that current trends in world politics can't be directed towards individual citizens - and besides anyone who has to endure the flight down here deserves a little respect!

Anyway, if you do make it down here to Oz make sure that you come to our FSAE comp (in Melbourne in December). And if you do, make sure that you drop in to RMIT and we'd be glad to show you around.

Cheers

[rjwoods77]

Hey Geoff,

Funny about the accent thing. I talked to Erik Zapletal on the phone and I couldnt push my ear into the phone enough to understand him at times. I made it through but only because he stopped about every third sentance do so "understand?". But you are right about hand gestures. Would have been a lot easier in person. Did you get my pm that I sent to you about a month ago?

[absolutepressure]

Thanks Big Bird, I feel welcome already http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif. The temps sound perfect. I don't prefer cold temps, but I can handle them better than warmer ones. I did some converting, and -40F = -40C, but that was not a good night. It literally hurt to touch my car after we got done in the shop. I remember I had to jump somebody's 200X Silverado with my 1990 Corolla. Toyota Power! 30C = 85F, and an average low of 15C? That's 55F, I'll be wearin shorts all year! 25C would be ideal, but I can definately handle 30. Sounds awesome. Not sure if I can do your second semester. I'll check, but it depends on the courses offered and all that stuff.
As far as your accent, I was talking to someone from Western Australia at Detroit, and it was so thick I had trouble understanding him. It was like someone who had english as their second language was talking to me.

It'll be awesome coming back to the states with an australian accent, though! I can't wait! a) just to fuck with people, and b) american chicks go crazy over people with foreign accents.

[Big Bird]

Rob,

Thanks mate - and yep, got your pm a few weeks back. Unfortunately it has been a bit nuts over the past few weeks and I've had to push a lot of personal and FSAE stuff to the back-burner. Apologies if this has stuffed you around. I plan to get onto all my unanswered mails and stuff over the Xmas/New Year break.

AP, the funny thing is if you go to England there are so many accents that you'd think they speak English as a second language as well.

And as for American chicks going crazy over guys with foreign accents - well trust me to spend my time hanging around engineering faculties and going to an engineering comp. I barely met a girl the whole time I was there. Next time I'm going to an American nursing conference instead http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Cheers,