I'M GOING TO AUSTRALIA MATES!

A little update – the wifi still sucks, I think I’ve finally overcome jet lag (I went to bed at midnight last night instead of 7 pm so I’m makin strides), and I fell in love with an Aussie – imagine that. ANZ Olympic Park Stadium This morning, we got to tour Sydney Olympic Park where the 2000 Olympic Games were held. As soon as we walked into the ANZ stadium, everyone got silent – it was one of the most beautiful views I think any of us have ever seen. "Wall of Fame" Olympic Park is used as a large sports and entertainment complex for events such as NRL (National Rugby League) and AFL (Australian Football League) games, concerts, and cultural events. We got to tour the inside of the stadium where we saw the locker rooms and the ~wall of fame~ that past Olympians, professional athletes, and performers have signed. I got to touch Adele’s signature … no big deal. We also got the opportunity to meet with a physiotherapist who is also a swim coach for the New So...

I know by the looks of all my pictures it probably seems like I’m only here on vacation – but there actually is a lot of educational content incorporated into this trip. While in Sydney, we have visited a few different universities, or should I say “uni’s”, where we’ve gotten the opportunity to meet many professionals that have provided us with a background in Australian sports medicine concepts and practices of both athletics and athletically-based sporting events. To be exposed to such a variety of Australian health care professionals, I’ve really gained an appreciation of the cultural differences between Australia and the U.S. At the University of Sydney, we met with 3 health care professionals – Dr. McKay, Dr. Nightingale, and Dr. Pappas. The first presentation, given by Dr. McKay, focused on sports physiotherapy across different ages and genders, and therefore the different demands of each group. I learned that the management of injuries in Australia is very similar to the U....

It’s 7:45 am here in Sydney, Australia and if you know me, you know I am not a morning gal. I’m only up and awake because jet lag has gotten the absolute best of me – I went to bed at 7 pm the past two nights. But hey I survived the 17 hour plane ride !!!!! And it definitely felt as long as it actually was. We were encouraged to stay awake for the first half of the flight and take some NyQuil and sleep the second half of the flight. We had about every movie and TV show imaginable in front of us so surprisingly I wasn’t really bored but uncomfortable with no leg room and stuck behind a man whose chair was so reclined I think there was about 2 inches between my face and the screen on the back of his chair. We were served dinner about 90 minutes into the flight with the options of pasta tortellini, a salad with sesame chicken, or butter chicken with steamed vegetables aka not too shabby for some airplane food. We were given snacks and beverages throughout the flight, and served breakfast...

Let me start by letting y'all know that I am not a blogger. This is my first blog and it may be a little all over the place but those who know me know that's pretty much how I roll. As part of this maymester, it is our responsibility to post blogs of our reflections and experiences while abroad so stay tuned for more posts of my Australian Adventure !!!! After months and months of planning, budgeting (this was really hard), excitement, nerves, and anticipation, the day is finally here - I'M GOING TO AUSTRALIA !!!!!! I've never really been abroad, (Mexico and the Bahamas are cool don't get me wrong, but those don't really count) I'm talking "real abroad" - 17 hour overseas plane rides kind of abroad. For the next 17 days, I will be indulged in Australian culture, learning and adapting to the Aussies' everyday way of life. Through this maymester, myself and about 30 others (including other students, two of my professors, and an orthopedic surge...