I had my international student orientation today. It was good to meet a few other people, and I got some really good information about stuff like my health plan and the new student/public transit/photocopy/printing card. I think it may have been more useful to have separate undergrad/postgrad sessions, but I know that's sort of coming (just because most of Orientation is aimed at undergrads, and I'm kind of doing my own thing with my professors and the school/faculty). I know that there is a lab orientation thing I'll end up doing in my building where I'll meet the new students starting in my school, but I think it could potentially be helpful to have the international orientation split up (the two groups have different questions really...most undergrads that are visiting are here for one semester, when we're here for two or more years). Maybe I'll have to get on the orientation steering committee here...hahaha...just kidding!
I was walking with one of my professors to get my building swipe card and had my first introduction to a huntsman spider! I would be perfectly happy not meeting him again, but apparently they're pretty common. I guess down here people actually like them, because along with daddy-long-legs spiders they go around eating other spiders and annoying bugs. That doesn't mean its tarantula-like appearance is anything fun to have to stumble upon. Apparently they have a tendency to get into cars somehow down here and surprise drivers haha - but apparently they're also pretty harmless and not aggressive (unlike some, my prof said that those spiders are like wild animals that would prefer to run away if given the opportunity). I think the spider won't have to worry...I'll likely be at least briskly moving away too...
On another note, for anyone considering visiting or touring Australia, I'm told that these are the things you can't miss before you leave this side of the country if you have enough time (and are willing to drive/fly a lot haha):
I was walking with one of my professors to get my building swipe card and had my first introduction to a huntsman spider! I would be perfectly happy not meeting him again, but apparently they're pretty common. I guess down here people actually like them, because along with daddy-long-legs spiders they go around eating other spiders and annoying bugs. That doesn't mean its tarantula-like appearance is anything fun to have to stumble upon. Apparently they have a tendency to get into cars somehow down here and surprise drivers haha - but apparently they're also pretty harmless and not aggressive (unlike some, my prof said that those spiders are like wild animals that would prefer to run away if given the opportunity). I think the spider won't have to worry...I'll likely be at least briskly moving away too...
On another note, for anyone considering visiting or touring Australia, I'm told that these are the things you can't miss before you leave this side of the country if you have enough time (and are willing to drive/fly a lot haha):
- The Valley of the Giants
- The Gap and Natural Bridge in Albany (apparently a piece of rock that matches the piece missing at The Gap was found in the coastline of Antarctica!)
- The Pinnacles
- The Whale Sharks (if you're willing to dive haha - I'm not so sure I want to be accidentally swallowed by a whale shark anytime soon...even if it was an accident on its part, it would still be bad!)
Labels: ECU, Things to See, Wildlife
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