It’s mid winter in Tassie now, which is the first time I experience that in July. I am getting used to the cold weather. It’s cold but it’s also very dry, which is also something new for me since winter in Taiwan and Scotland has been fairly wet. It’s been almost half a year since I came and studied Marketing at TAFE (Technical and Further Training, more like a vocational college system in other countries). I think I will always have a soft spot for Scotland, however, the longer I have lived here, the more I realize I am more attached to this place.
The weather here is pretty damn good! I’ve never expected to live at a place that is mostly so sunny and cloudless even in winter. I can see clearly how much the weather can affect people after living both in Tassie and Scotland. Consider that the small size of the city, Launceston I live in, there are quite a few cafes in the city centre. Chances are if you don’t see me at TAFE or at home, I will be at a café reading or just relaxing, really. Given the fact that this is not quite the centre of the world, the tallest building is like six stories in the city centre and there have been less than ten rainy days since I’ve arrived, life here is super laid-back compared to other places I’ve lived. Of course there have been times I’ve felt a bit restless and missed the convenience and variety of living in a big city, overall, I’d like to consider myself lucky to have this lifestyle change.
Meanwhile, I am visiting the “Mainland” soon. I am flying Sydney later this month for my semester break and Melbourne in September for the term break. I can take cheaper direct flights to these major cities in Australia and have a little change of scenery from “Pure Tasmania”. Last month I visited the capital city—Hobart in Tassie and stayed at “The Henry Jones Art Hotel” (www.thehenryjonesarthotel.com) by using the hotel discount website (www.wotif.com), what a hidden gem for both the city and the hotel. Sleeping with the arts for one night is a sensational experience itself, the melting pot of the old jam factory building and the modern art is what gives the “Art” hotel an unique theme and character. What is more, despite the minimal furnishing style, the room really relaxes and comforts each and every exhausted resident and wandered soul. Oh, that’s right, you can also really use a robe at a five star hotel room after a bath at a translucent glass bathroom featuring the latest in European ellipitical spa baths and fittings (cited from the hotel’s brochure). The city, Hobart itself is not huge, but it happens to be the medium size I like the most, the harbour, Georgian buildings, Salamanca Market, and Mt. Wellington are all within friendly walking distance for you to explore and enjoy!
If I had to complain of something by living here (since I cannot do that with “the lousy weather” talk now), guess it would be the TAFE system with international students. I was applying for the Marketing course, however, according to the immigration law in Australia for international students studying at TAFE, I’ve got to study at least 20 hours per week and over 80% attendance rate but the truth is most TAFE courses don’t offer courses more than 20 hours and most local students just stopped showing up in class later during the semester. As a result, I had to pick up modules in Business Management course as well and was being monitored by my attendance and progression at TAFE. Guess I’ve never felt or been treated so special when I was studying in the UK, I always felt I received similar rights and treatments simply by being a student there. What annoyed me the most is that my interest in the course was not the priority but to add up enough hours. Because of that, I was seriously considering not to continue the second semester given the fact that I truly did not enjoy not being given full autonomy in course selection and being treated like a high school student at a school which offers 200% flexibility to local students instead. According to the international student advisor at TAFE, I’ve got too much pride on this issue since I’ve got the ability to cope with two courses at the same time anyways while most people would love the idea of gaining more than one diploma. Having said that, after looking at the big picture of the lifestyle I get to experience here, I’ve decided to stay on for the second semester. Oh yes, I am going to study ‘Budgeting’ and ‘OH & S’ next semester, which I’ve never imagined me doing before. Oh well, guess it’s time for me to embark the unexpected sights in life then.
How are things with you while you are surrounded by the true summer fever there? – (you see, we’ve only got heated up by FIFA World Cup, and that’s over, too; well, I’ll just endure the rest of the winter and look forward to the first summer Christmas here in TASSIE!!!)
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