Well, I made it - have now been living in Australia since 5-30am on Sunday. To say that I'd never previously flown or even been abroad, I found the journey to be epic - although I didn't like it when I was on the first plane taking off.
I think I'm in charge of co-ordinating two of the modules at the uni. I've never done anything like this before, and have been told that I have full creative license. Mmm...I'm sure this'll be fun, but it is a baptism of fire given that I've been working in the private sector for almost a year and a half. Still, I suppose when we're pushed we find out how fast was can run.
Everyone here seems to be really nice and friendly, which is great since I'm alone. In all honesty, things don't seem that much different from the UK culturally. Things are a little more expensive in comparison, like food, drink and rent, but a lot of other things are cheaper, such as insurance and phone contacts.
Academically there are parallels and difference concerning the Uk and Australia. For instance, things like Blackboard and teaching styles are very similar, but not all undergrads do degrees with honours (i.e. a dissertation). The greatest similarity is that things move sllloowwwwlllllyyy: I'm still waiting for my own staff login details and doing battle with the payroll department. A big difference is that compared to most unis in the UK, the unis ins Australia seem to be much better resourced. The one I am at is sort of middle-ranking (like the uni I was at in the UK) and it appears to have masses of specialist equipment for the sciences. So far, no spiders, snakes or any creepy crawlies!
It's early days, so I can't say I've made the right decision yet. They say the first few months you are in holiday mode (I'm really trying to avoid feeling like this - seeing it as just a place where I am doing my job), several months after are the hardest (homesickness, and missing friends and family) but then it gets easier. I do worry about things like Christmas and birthdays, but I'll try not to think of that for now - cross that bride when I come to it!

Good stuff and glad to know you've arrived safe and sound. I bet you're exhausted...I think you made the right decision giving it a try! Hoping it all works out for you.(up)

oh excellent, you took it! You're going to love it, and you'll get to be an even better academic because all the blood will rush to your brain, what with being upside down (up)

I can say that my first year of lecturing has been a crash course in juggling workloads, if its anything like my experience, then just managing to do even a tiny bit of research during term time is an achievement (I'm hoping this gets better this year). You'll be busy, but fine :-)

Watch out for crocodiles and great whites though, I hear they can come through the bathroom tap :$

Wow!! Good luck! I am sure you will enjoy it! I just logged on today to have a peek at what people are doing...congratulatioms!!! ^^

Hi Wal, great to hear you got there! And that things are going well so far, sounds like you have plenty of control over what you are doing, that's good.

Keep us posted, thanks for keeping in touch. (up)

======= Date Modified 04 Jul 2012 23:09:51 =======
double posting - sorry.

Always good to hear from PGF success stories - you've done really well, congratulations! Are there any ex-pat groups in Oz that you can join to meet others in the same situation as you? You've got plenty of time between now and Christmas to make friends, the world is your oyster! Don't forget you can always come back here and talk to us! :-)

Thank you all for your kind words. I'm slowly starting to get used to things here. I shall keep you all posted on how things develop.

Wow great to hear from you ! Glad it's going well so far, will be really interested to hear how things develop and the positives/negatives!

Hey Walminski! How are things going?

Great to hear things are working out! Have fun down under! :p