Since I have been in Newcastle, things have been kind of difficult. We got here on Sunday night at about 5p.m. We got to our rooms and then were expected to come to dinner at 6p.m. and to game night at 8. Talk about a crazy couple of hours.

Monday through Friday, we have all kinds of things planned. Monday we had our international student orientation which took the entire day and we when to The Royal or Nibbles and drinks. Tuesday we had a pancake breakfast (which are not like American pancakes) and were off again to a general orientation for all new students. When we got here, we were suppose to have student I.D. cards which we didn’t know about and didn’t have so we skipped a couple things on Tuesday and when an got out I.D.’s. Tuesday night was also out big welcome party at the Bar on the Hill which yes, is on campus. I am not lying, there is a bar on campus. Wednesday we did a city tour and Wednesday nights is Uni night in Newcastle so we took the train downtown for a crazy night out. Thursday was a very uneventful dolphin cruise and our first trip to Jesmond (the shopping center with free bus rides Thursday nights). Friday I took the day to myself to sort things out and skipped the winery tour. I also had a very uneventful Friday night. Saturday we when to the rugby game and whet to the Rockstar party in the cellar. Yes we partied in the basement of our dorm room.

So next to losing my debit card, which I am still waiting for even after being expressed mailed, my computer didn’t work until today either. I couldn’t pick up the internet so I spent like four days on the phone with the IT dept. from the Uni and eventually they told me that I had to take my computer somewhere else and that they couldn’t help me anymore nor could they suggest a place to take it to. So I called a computer company that comes to me and they thought they could just help me over the phone. I ended up going to the library and found someone who could help me with the help of another friend and he was able to fix my computer in about 20 minutes. How awesome.

I have also notice several things while I have been here. Like normal colleges and universities in the states, we don’t have a gym. It cost about $300 a semester for a gym membership and you have to pay for all of the intramurals or club sports which really sucks. Everything here is really expensive compared to the United States. Beer is $7 in some bars and liquor is even more. People buy boxed goon (wine) and pregame so they don’t spend as much. All their food and toiletries are also extremely expensive and to take the train or bus is over $6 for round trip. It’s outrageous.