It hasn’t been long since I’ve arrived in Launceston, but I’ve already fallen into the rhythm of things as living with the O’Loughlins has come naturally to me. Knowing my Exchange, 
Caoilainn, beforehand has really helped me get rid of any feelings of homesickness. I started my experience off by losing my luggage in Launceston’s tiny airport, which I fortunately got back on the same day. I never realized how small the town was until my host family actually knew and greeted some strangers at the airport. I spent a week in Shanghai before going on exchange, so it was such a stark contrast traveling from humid 100+ degree weather to Tasmania’s cold winter time. Thin tights and thermal undershirts hidden under my uniform have become second skin. The weekend before school began, I got the chance to go a nearby beach, grab coffee with Caoilainn’s friends in the morning, and get my uniform. With this, I wasn’t anxious or nervous about starting school.
A few things about Scotch Oakburn College:
- The school doesn’t take action in gathering the Exchanges. There are ten or more Exchanges here and I haven’t seen or spoken to most of them. For example, I headed straight to Agriculture class and made cheese on my first day, so the Exchange program is very student led.
- As Scotch Oakburn is co-ed, almost every table is scattered with both girls and boys. It’s unusual for there to just be an all-girl friendship group or vice versa.
- School rules: We have to bring our own lunch and we’re not allowed to bring backpacks to class. We have to wear blazers to an assembly and going into town. My scalp hurts from tying my hair up every day.
Since the school is Pre-K to Year 12, students here have known each other for years.- Buildings in Launceston get up to less than 3 floors.
- Recess and lunch is spent on drama and gossip.
- Everyone here is a year older than people back home. Caoilainn is in Year 11; according to my age, I’m technically still in Year 10 here. Year 10 and 11 are extremely different as they follow different regimens, but I’m taking classes from both grades.
- A plus about having an older Exchange partner is that we can go into town or to someone’s house after school as everyone here has their own car.
- Everything is a little later here. School starts around 8:45 to 9:00 am. Lunch is at 1:15 pm. School ends at 3:30 pm for everyone.
- I’ve noticed that most of the students here are more independent.
Although I would love to draw more on the similarities and differences between Athenian and Scotch Oakburn College, I also feel compelled to mention how things unraveled mentally and more personally. I’ve definitely relied on some advice given from friends and family that has helped me get through my first week:
- Given that I’m just beginning my second week, I’ve learned to work at my own pace. “Don’t expect to find instant connection and continue meeting new people and take things in, but never disengage.”
- I have wondered why it was so hard connecting to others here as we have no middle ground. There is less diversity than Athenian, so was it my race? Was it because I was too quiet? I admit I have thought that those questions were to blame. However, it all comes down to personality. In my short experience being here so far, being more
outgoing and easygoing really helps. - I know that I can’t expect others to initiate conversation, but it is still hard to join in a conversation where they’re talk about people I don’t know.
As Launceston is such a small town, everyone lives less than ten minutes away from each other. So while it is at times difficult to connect with others at school, meeting new people and going on spontaneous coffee breaks after school is an insane amount of fun. For the next few weeks, we have planned to go to an Australian football (AFL) game, an overnight trip to the east coast, and an excursion to an art museum in Hobart–-all of which I’m super excited for and looking forward to.
The Athenian School Exchange Blog 