July 21-23, 2003 Orientation Week
We actually have things to do this week. Orientation reminds us that we actually have to go to classes while we’re here…bummer. We were in these sessions from 9:30 AM until 1:30 PM, it was ridiculous. We covered all sorts of information, mostly helpful stuff like schedule for the week, but they also talked about cultural differences. Some of the stuff was pretty funny. Here are my favorite parts of the huge magazine thing they gave us:

“There are two stereotypes which can harm male-female relationships between Australians and international students. The first stereotype (held by some overseas males) is that Australian females are always willing to have sex. The second stereotype (held by some Australian females) is that most males from overseas have no interest in Australian females, other than to have sex with them….These…stereotypes…can lead to a great deal of misunderstanding.”

“It is not unusual, at the end of a date, for your companion to invite you into his or her place for a coffee. The invitation does not imply that you are being invited to have sex with your companion. You are not obliged to accept the invitation…”

Eddie Izzard has a whole bit how it is sometimes hard to tell if “Would you like a cup of coffee?” means just that, or “Would you like to do it?” His basic dividing line is that if the President of Burundi asks you if you want some coffee, it means he wants to know if you want some coffee. A good rule of thumb, I feel.

They gave us all these little “gift bags” full of useless pamphlets and other pieces of paper. The bags were supposed to include a condom, but for some reason didn’t. They assured us (just in case anyone was truly worried) that they would come in the next day, the day we were to enroll in classes. One of the younger staff members said, “That way, after you enroll you can roll one on.” They aren’t as uptight about stuff like that here, if you couldn’t tell. We also had a presentation by an Aboriginal group where they gave us a quick history and played the didgeridoo. There was also a surfing demonstration, inside the lecture hall if you can believe that. It was really funny, but in a “you had to be there” sort of way so I won’t bore you.

There were about 140 international exchange students at the orientation. About 30% of UNSW students are from overseas. They say that is the largest proportion of any university in the world. I can’t tell you how tired I got of asking and answering the same questions over and over. Where are you from? What are you studying? How long have you been in Sydney? Ugh. We’re all for meeting new people and making friends, but sometimes you just don’t care.