The Beginning of the End

Another week checked off! I truly cannot believe how fast time is going by. I only have one more week left in the classroom. My time in Australia has been so good for me. I am anxious to be back home but also sad that I will soon leave this place and say goodbye to the people who have made it so meaningful!

Last weekend, we took things slow. Saturday was spent wandering around local thrift shops. I found some fun pieces while I was out, then went back home where we played board games and watched some movies. On Sunday, Tim (one of my hosts), Tilly (the pup), and I ventured to Lesmurdie Falls for a short 2-mile hike. It was quite warm in the sun, but we got to see some beautiful views of the city and spend the day outside. While I have loved traveling and exploring Perth, I find weekends like these to be just as rewarding!

As my time here is coming to an end, I’ve started reflecting on some of the ways I’ve grown over the last 6 weeks. Some of them are:

1. The importance of a routine. I never realized how my college life was so irregular in terms of a routine! From classes at different times every day to random social events and busy weekends, most of my days were different. I often felt tired at the end of the week. My time in Australia has been so routine—from the mornings, to the school day, to the evenings, even things like the foods I’m eating and the weekend tasks. I never realized how much I appreciate a consistent routine. I look forward to carrying this on when I return home!

2. Balancing classroom management. The way schools are here has many differences, many of which I plan on bringing back and incorporating into my own classroom someday! My mentor teacher has taught me so much, one of which is how to manage a classroom with firmness while also being patient and graceful with students. The way my teacher talks to the students, disciplines, manages, etc., creates a class that is well-behaved yet still a positive learning environment.

3. Growing in independence. I’ve always thought of myself as an independent person. I enjoy spending time on my own. In the past, I’ve had experiences where I went away from home for a period of time and struggled greatly with homesickness. I prepared myself a lot before coming on this trip, and while I do miss people at home, this time around I’ve felt so much stronger and more capable of being on my own. Through this time, I feel I’ve matured a lot. I feel better prepared to soon graduate college, get a grown-up job, and step into the next season of my life. Where there used to be a lot of fear and anxiety about the future, there is now much excitement for what is to come!

Over the next week, as I gear up to say goodbye, I plan on taking in every last moment here. My parents get to join me in Perth in just over a week, and I’m excited to continue exploring more with them here. I truly cannot express how much I have grown through my time here and just how much this experience has meant to me!