So it has been almost a week since I last posted. I have been through the three days of orientation at Monash, and have made many new friends. There were some Singaporeans, Chinese, Indonesian, Korean and Indian. It was really interesting to find out more about them and their different cultures. I will briefly go through what we did during the three days.
On the first day, we basically had like a welcome talk where the staff introduced to us about what we would expect when we start our education at Monash College. This was then followed by lunch where we were free to mix around with other students over a meal. This was where I was able to pick up a few friends. We were also given three cards, each with random names of businesses and their discount prices. We were expected to collect a set of three cards with the same businesses, but with different shapes. So each name has a shape surrounding it, namely, square, circle and hexagon. We will get an additional total of six cards during the next two days. This will let us mingle around to find the cards we need and to give us an incentive to attend every day's orientation. Fun fact, previous orientations actually lasted five days. However, due to the fall in attendance, they decided to shorten it.
On the second day, the entire cohort was divided into groups of 23 to have some ice-breaking activities. Everyone was given a sticker to write their names on, and we had a game of bingo. Everyone was given a piece of paper with grids of topics that were listed on them. Some of the topics were "Find someone with the same number of brothers/sisters as you" (which I had difficulty finding because everyone had nearly one or two), or "Find someone who arrived in the past 72 hours". This game allowed us to get to know each other. Personally, I feel that this is a really good ice-breaker, as many times people are unable to come up with questions to find out more about the other when they first meet. Following that, we were further broken up into three groups to complete a quiz. Once all the activities were completed, we had a short morning tea, and then proceeded to go for a goal setting talk at the cinema.
On the third day, we went to the chapel to attend a talk to find out more about our diplomas. Including information like the percentages for each assignment or exam for the various modules. Or the percentage cut off to enter the various business degrees at the different campuses. Following that, we were brought to the banquet room, where booths were set up for us to find out more about the various clubs and associations within the institute. In some way it felt kind of like a carnival, because they were giving out free food, had someone to do face painting and a lady who was bending balloons into various objects like hats, wands, and swords. I got a monster hat and a sword to take a photo with.
Also, I actually lost three of my cards, and did not collect the other three cards for the third day. Fortunately, I still had the two most important cards with me, and I happened to see one guy inquire about the cards at one of the booths. I glanced over his shoulder, and as he was sorting through his cards, I saw that last card that I needed to complete my set! So I tapped his shoulder, introduced myself, and asked if he could kindly trade me that one card that I needed. He was kind enough to trade it for a card that he didn't really need, and that was how I got a discount card for 25% off at the sports center.
Later that evening, I had dinner with some of my new found friends, and arranged to go to the city the next day, with them plus some other Indonesian students.
So I'm glad to say that it has been pretty good so far. Tomorrow is Saturday, which is the day when we receive our individual timetables. I am kind of excited and anxious at the same time, because I really want to be in the same class as some of my friends. So hopefully, at least one or two of them will become my classmates.
P.S. There are so many Chinese and Indonesians in the cohort. I have only found like five other Singaporeans. I am certain that there will be more but we are definitely the minority in this cohort. XD
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