This weekend I went to Sydney to meet up with the other exchangees here from overseas. It was the Welcome Conference offered by the New South Wales Department of Ed and the Exchange Teachers League. Guest speakers discussed the opportunities available to us now that we're here, resources to find online and within our communities, and typical adjustments to expect as we transition ourselves and our families into our new settings, both home and school.
Our round table discussions proved to be very comforting and eye-opening as we found many of the same questions and puzzlements coming from all of us! We come from Ontario, Alberta, Britsh Columbia, England, Scotland, and the U.S. We are situated in parts in and around Sydney, smaller towns, rural outback, and coastal towns (like us). Our schools range from private with children in ties and lunch seated at head tables (I envisioned scenes from Harry Potter), to the public/state schools with the children seated outside in courtyards with sun hats.
One thing for sure, we are all thrilled to be here. I felt very, very fortunate, after hearing from others, to have the beautiful setting we have, the lovely Australian family living in our Oregon home, the supportive schools both here at at home, and the friends we've left behind keeping an eye out for our Aussies, as well as the many we are making daily here in our area.
We also met up with returning exchangees just back from their year abroad. They were eager to get together with us for barbeques and reunions as they transition back to their Australian lifestyle again. The comraderie was very special, and I felt very comfortable asking any question and taking any hints and advice!
Sydney had perfect weather for our evening at the pub together after the conference, and dinner on the harbour overlooking the boats and inlets across the way. Saturday we (maybe 45 of us in all) took a charter boat for, yes, a "three hour tour." We watched the pram race at 11:00 a.m. from the water, and were right in the middle of the 2:00 schooner race! Our boat had to stop as they careened around us, crews of 3 or more harnessed in and leaning off the deck to gain speed. No one waved up to us as we cheered them on; they were too busy manning the ropes! The bay and inlets with the beautiful homes and boats anchored remind me of the Seattle area, but with many more inlets to explore. It was a fabulous day with a picnic lunch at an uncroweded public swimming beach right on the bay. We were able to laugh with the Brits and Canadians about our similarities and differences. The common thread we all share, however, is our experiences coming here and walking into our new classrooms everyday. We'll gather every month or so for different trips around the country, those of us who can make them, and share more stories as the year progresses.
Come to think of it, this is how our Corvallis friends met with our Aussie friends (who were instrumental in getting me here) all those years ago . . .
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