A little Tuesday vent…

The past week has went by incredibly fast. It has also been a very challenging week with some frustration and confusion. Namely, it was the first real week of university.

I am the stereotype of a law student in Finland a.k.a. I never went to classes. And if I did, I surely didn’t prepare for them – you go to classes to listen, right? Getting law students to speak in lectures is like pulling wisdom teeth. Extraordinarily hard, that is.

In Australia there are lectures and tutorials you must attend. As the cherry on top of a cake you also must prepare for tutorials. Luckily you are given very clear instructions about what to do for a tutorial but unfortunately it takes hours to prepare. And why do you have to prepare? Well, to explain it shortly, I might just say that because it is like an elementary school in which the teacher decides who gets to share their knowledge.. and just like in elementary schools, you also get a grade for participation. For someone who dislikes going to classes and loathes being active in them the only words that describe the system are “oh crap”.

Ok. I have gotten it out of me. Now it’s time to focus on the good sides… and despite of what you might think based on the last paragraph, there are good sides! It is extraordinarily good that students have all sorts of assignments to do – all the time. It is also awesome that you have to go to classes – where else would you network and get social support? And even more importantly, where else would you get answers to questions that books don’t cover?

To my (very) enormous surprise, I am actually in the process of shifting to the mindset that the system in Australian universities is so much better than in Finnish universities. It might be quite convenient for students to just hit the books on their own. It might also be extremely cheap, too. But it is questionable whether that is the right way to study? Does it teach one to think? At least in law it was a very strong presumption that the student should think in the same way as the author. Is that deep understanding?

It may be day two of week two but I have already been obliged to write probably 50 pages of assignments altogether. That is something that is so very unfamiliar to a Finnish law student. And it is actually a shame – Finland may have amazing school system but is it a good idea to say goodbye to pedagogism at tertiary level? I’d say no.

 

Written while listening to Two Birds by Regina Spektor.

A strange affair

I attended an engagement party for the first time ever a couple of days ago. I had pictured it to be a rather classy affair but, well, all my knowledge about engagement parties come from Charlotte’s engagement party on Sex and the City.

All that I have to say about the party (and, well, many Aussie parties) can be summarized in these lines…

1) “I put a hot chilli in my pocket and now my nipple is burning – can you lick it?” (What’s even worse is that this went on for at least two hours)

2) starting a private little party in front of the house

3) a cop (!!!) secretly surfing on a taxi and then falling off when the taxi started to go faster,

4) making rude remarks during speeches, such as “has he even met X?”,

5) being a rough Australian; “I didn’t say I was a lady.”  - “Well, you’ve got tits, don’t you?”

6) drunk people stepping on presents…

The list could go on. Note-to-the-engaged-couple; don’t invite these people to your wedding.

Guild Day & Paper Speakers

Yesterday was the finale of the orientation week; Guild Day. Basically the campus was literally packed of all kinds of clubs promoting themselves and trying to get people to sign up. I must say that I love that about Australian universities… I feel like in my university in Finland there weren’t that many clubs (or maybe I just wasn’t aware of them!) and I absolutely love it that there are university clubs for e.g. social soccer, netball, swimming… you name it.

By the end of the day I had signed up to way too many clubs and had tons of freebies to carry home with me. My clubs included for example the Yoga Club, Aussie footy for beginners and Amnesty International and Save the Children. I am very excited – I bet soon my e-mail inbox will be very full (and I may not have time to go to lectures!)

So what all freebies did I manage to bring home? Well, a lot. It is a funny thing how every time when there are freebies available somewhere, we just have to take that stuff – even when we’re pretty sure that there won’t ever be any use for it. Well, after participating in competitions such as fishing and trying to catch (rubber) ducks, I ended up getting a water gun, noodles (whaaat?!) speakers with a paper case, a soccer club’s cap (I might have joined the club too – me, who knows absolutely nada about soccer!) and lots of pens.

All in all, the day was a massive success in my opinion – it was actually a lot of fun to walk around the campus with new friends and eat candy… and have your bags filled with free Chupa Chups. I have no idea how they put it all together and I am a little bummed I couldn’t stay longer to see some bands that were playing there as well but literally, thumbs up for the Guild – they did an amazing job.

Aren’t they cute?!

Now it’s time to start to get ready for tonight’s engagement party – not mine though! It’s the first engagement party I have ever been to so it shall be interesting!

First postgrad days…

So university has started… All I can say is wow as I am just feeling a little bit overwhelmed! The first two days have been full of lollipops, cupcakes with extra icing and yummy avocado salad. If that is university life in Australia, I am rather excited but I have the slightest feeling that the university won’t be feeding us with fancy food every day for the rest of our studies!

This week is still all about orientating ourselves into the mindset of studying postgrad law but next week it will all start. For me it will be Contract Law, Criminal Law, Legal Process and Property Law. Quite a package, luckily it includes two of my all-time favourites!

All in all the law school has been amazing for us. They have organised us breakfasts and given us complimentary tickets to arts shows and to an outdoors cinema. It has been a good way to meet fellow students who all have very different backgrounds; some have just finished their PhD in another subject and some have returned to law after taking time off. It truly is an interesting mix of people and I am looking forward to getting to know them better.

My study plan for this year.

What has been even better is that now that my days have been rather busy and I have met a group of Australians, I have gotten this feeling of belonging here. I have been very happy here, no doubts about it… but at the same time I have felt a little bit like an outsider. Now, I feel like I have managed to start the transfer of my life to Australia and it feels quite incredible!

Written while listening to King and Lionheart by Of Monsters and Men.

Never be the same

I have always loved to have normal weekdays off – there’s nothing else that describes freedom better than sipping a latte on the balcony and looking at people rushing to work. Unfortunately, those days are extremely limited right now!

It is almost a little bit intimidating to start university here… It feels like a massive workload… which it surely is. I felt like that also when I started my law degree in Finland – an empty academic record just looks very harsh. However, I am also very excited. The campus is amazing and I have already now met some lovely ladies and it is quite whimsical to create new friendships – it is simply amazing to meet new people and then only after a couple of days see how there was always an empty spot for them in your life.

All in all, these photos describe the past days amazingly well…

 

Going to the beach – nothing screams like summer than your skin covered with sand and trying to apply more sunscreen… Result? A nice exfoliation!

Yummy frozen yoghurt… why isn’t all yoghurt frozen?

Dinner-BBQs… what else would be more summery

 

This was written while listening to Never Be the Same by The Rubens.

The 14th

I’ve never been a massive fan of Hallmark-holidays but I suppose the 14th of February just offers a great excuse to do something nice for your loved ones! This year Valentine’s Day included…

1. SO surprising me with 12 (naturally since we’re in Australia) roses the day before!

2. Loveheart-shaped pancakes with apple slices, mangos and coconut cream for brekkie!

3. Self-made cards are the best ones!

4. And making some amazing new friends, including a wombat!

End of summer

Yesterday I made my way to my new university… and it hit me; just one week left before it’s time to get back to routine and days won’t be full of just reading, walking around the city, chilling on the balcony… and just basically doing whatever happens to rock my boat at the time.

It is a strange feeling, indeed.. going to university after three months, that is. I always felt very connected with my uni in Finland… and now, I’m feeling so disconnected. And despite that the thought of getting connected with my new university, meeting people and learning the ways is very exciting, it is also rather tiring. In fact, I don’t think I have ever been more exhausted than after my first day at university in Finland!

With five days left of my holiday, it has been time to start to make a war plan for the rest of the week – exactly how I did already in elementary school when it was the last week of summer holidays. I have come to the realization that those things never change, at least for me. That’s why I have a feeling this week will be full of eating delicious frozen yoghurt, barbecuing, going swimming, reading just one last novel and enjoying the leftovers of freedom – just like I did already fifteen years ago!

This time, too, I have a Finnish friend to share the last bits of summer with. A friend with whom time just literally flies… everyone needs people like that in their lives! To get the most out of the last days of summer (well, ok, summer is so not ending next week but in theory it is!) we already have a plan for tomorrow… and I’ll be back to share it with you tomorrow, too.

Have a lovely laskiaiastiistai and eat way too many buns with cream. You have absolutely no idea how much I wish I had one with almond paste right here right now… maybe it’s time to go shopping for almonds tomorrow, too!

How-to: Australian Partner Visa

My visa application all ready!

Recently I received a question about applying for an Australian partner visa so this is for all of you who’s better half (?) loves wearing wifebeaters (you know, those super cheap blue singlets), has a funny accent and loves saying “no worries”.

I have heard how people have been preparing their applications for months but in all honesty, it really isn’t that hard. From us it took two half-days and it was on it’s way. Therefore, here are a few tips!

1. 12-month-requirement

Ok. You’re blissfully in love and you decide to take the plunge and uproot your life and call Australia your new home. Awesome!

Before that, take care you have been in a de-facto relationship (aka lived) with your SO for at least 12 months. Do note that it doesn’t require traditional living together so e.g. that around-the-world-trip you took together does qualify as time living together. Well, as long as you have proof such as all reservations including both of your names.

Oh. Before you rush to the magistrate to make your SO your hubby, do note that it does not help in the visa process. A marriage certificate does work as proof exactly as does your power bill but it doesn’t waive the 12-month-requirement or make the process faster. Unfortunately!

2. Evidence

So you need evidence that you and your Aussie have been living together for 12 months and are as happy as ever? Immigration states that all documents have to be officially translated into English. It is a very good idea to get a translation of e.g. lease agreement (or get your landlord/agent write a letter confirming that you’re renting together) but don’t bother translating e.g. travel reservations. A good idea is to write a short summary on each page what you’re actually trying to prove and what the paper is all about.

Evidence can be e.g.

• a printscreen of e-mail inbox (you can search for e-mail from your SO and vice versa) – no need to give individual e-mails to Immi though!
• joint bills
• joint travel bookings, e.g. plane tickets, hotel reservations…
• concert tickets (we included these even when they only had my name on them)
• you can attach ten photos – one way to attach these are to glue the photos on A4s and then write a short caption to the photo. A rumour says that photos especially from social events and with family members are favoured!
• stat decs from Australians – there is a form to fill so your Aussie friends and future-in-laws don’t need to start to write actual letters! These are meant for proving that you really are in a genuine relationship… after all, forging a stat dec takes you to prison!
• letters you have received at the same address – if they’re official letters, amazing! Unofficial ones don’t have that big of an impact but do add them!
• invitations addressed to both of you – like to your cousin’s wedding last summer!
• a rental agreement that has both of your names on it
• a copy of a will
• proof of you being each other’s insurance beneficiaries
• a printscreen of your Skype call history (note that Skype saves history only for six months!)

So all in all, everything that proves you are genuinely a couple and that you have been living together is good evidence.

3. The official stuff

You need at least…

• certified photocopies of both of your passports
• your birth certificate (again, go to the magistrate)
• Police check (can order it here)
• four photographs of the applicant and two of the sponsor
• forms (go here)

4. How?

When you do start to put the papers together, do note that Immi really doesn’t want to get anything in a folder etc. – send the papers to them as a pile  and avoid staples as they most likely scan your pile of papers and there’s nothing more annoying than taking out 26 staples…

Also, even though according to Immi all copies have to be certified but this is not really the case. This applies only to official papers. So don’t bother even thinking about how you’re going to officially certify a printscreen of your inbox… But if you do need something to be certified (such as photocopies of both of your passports), visit your nearest magistrate!

A good tip is to write a cover letter that includes your index and then have a coloured page with a title for each section.

5. What and where?

Finland doesn’t have an Australian embassy so all Finns need to send their applications to the embassy in Berlin. Before you say goodbye to the pile of paper, do ensure you have enclosed everything and that you have filled in your credit card information because the first thing the embassy does is charge you the application fee, 2680 € (2013).

6. Medical

It has been said numerous times that don’t go through the medical before the embassy tells you to do so. It is known that some people front-load their applications but it might be better not to as the doctor sends the forms to the embassy so they might get confused if you haven’t even applied yet and don’t have a case number.

In autumn 2012 there were TWO doctors in FINLAND who were authorised by the Australian government to do the medicals – very unlucky for those who don’t live in Helsinki! The medical usually includes a normal medical, HIV-test, urinalysis and a chest x-ray. Whoah – Australia really doesn’t want unhealthy people.

You need two photographs for the medical forms and there are all sorts of funny things such as the person taking your blood has to sign their name so that it’s partly on the form and partly on the photo!

To give you an idea, the medical cost at least for me approximately 360 € (2012).

7. Waiting

It is a loooong wait. It feels like years, especially if your other half is on the other side of the world!

The average processing time is five months but be prepared to wait longer. For example, during the process I received an e-mail that the processing time has increased to 7-9 months due to the amount of applications.

Also, keep in mind that generally the applications are looked at already 1-2 months after you submit it. But then they’re all put into a long queue so even when your application is ready to be accepted, it still takes a few months as all the applications are generally always (exceptions are very rare) accepted in the order they were submitted.

8. What then?

When you finally get an e-mail that your visa has been granted, it’s time to celebrate!

Since it is so hard to guess when that happens, you really shouldn’t book flights before that. Your visa will have a date by which you have to enter Australia – this date is the date when your medical or police check expires (whichever happens first). Both of them are valid for one year.

9. Can you go to Australia before your visa has been granted?

Yes, e.g. on a tourist visa. But you have to inform your case officer about that as the visa can’t be granted when you’re in the country. You can have your case officer inform you when it is ready to be granted so you can just leave Australia for a few working days and then your visa can be granted and you can enter again.

Oh, and this applies only if you applied for your visa outside of Australia, naturally.

10. Applying overseas or in Australia?

• processing times are shorter if you apply overseas
• it is cheaper to apply overseas (currently if you apply in Australia, it is about $4000)

11. Questions? Leave a comment!

… and do note that this information is based on my own experiences and on everything I have read. Visa fees and requirements tend to change every now and then so do check Immigration’s website!

Vroooooom!

West Australian driving license? Check!

I finally made myself to hike (almost literally) to the Vehicle and Transportation Office, I’m actually quite proud of myself! The only thing I would do differently is that do not go to that kind of places around midday… At least I got experience now of waiting for my number to be called for 1,5 hours!

Anyway, here are a few tips regarding to getting an (West) Aussie driving license!

• The VT’s website states that you need an official translation of your driving license if it isn’t in English. Wrong. Or at least I didn’t need any translation or IDP – my pink little EU-driving license did the job!
• Don’t bother getting photos beforehand – they take them there.
• There’s a list of recognized countries (Finland is one of them) and if your license is from one of these countries, you don’t need to do the practical or driving test. In WA everyone needs to do an eyesight test though but that is done also in the office.
• To prove identity and residential address, I needed my passport, my Australian credit card, my Medicare card and a dated letter from e.g. a bank.
• Be prepared to know your eye colour… Or maybe I’m the only person from whom it takes five minutes to decide whether my eyes are blue or green. The officer finally said they’re blue (thanks – that’s what I hoped!). Also be prepared to describe your body type; I struggled with this one too, I was wondering if it’s thin, slim, moderate or normal etc … My tattooed officer said “whatevs” and I chose slim – made me feel good.
• The transfer fee is about $37 and then you have to pay for the license itself (about $37 for one year or if you want it to be valid for five years, then about $110 – gotta love Finnish licenses and their 50-year-validity-period!)
• And it’s done. In the end (if you don’t get your license straight away), you get a piece of paper that serves as your WA license until the real one is mailed to you in about a week.

So why do you need one? It is a bit unclear how long one is allowed to drive on their overseas license here and it varies by state. It seems like in WA visitors such as people on WH-visa can drive on their overseas license for the whole duration of their visa as long as their driving license is valid and they should carry a translation of it or IDP. However, if you intend to live in WA, you are required to get a WA license within three months of arriving.

Since it seems a little bit unclear, I do recommend checking from your insurance company that you’re covered! You don’t want to scratch someone’s Ferrari and find out you’re not insured…

Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island was a very nice weekend getaway destination! To sum it up, we cycled a lot, swam, posed with pelicans, saw a snake (Australia is proud to be home to the most venous snakes in the world), cycled some more and, I, unfortunately, got my scalp a bit sunburnt!

All in all, Rottnest is a very popular destination among Western Australians and while hostel accommodation is pretty easily available, if you want to hire a cottage, you need to take part in a lottery. Yes, a lottery. Only the luckiest get to go and enjoy Rottnest for a week and it comes with a hefty price tag!

It is a carless island except that there is a bus that goes around the island but to be truly able to explore the island, it is a much better idea to hire a bike! There are places where to swim everywhere so once you get hot, you can just have a break and jump in the crystal clear blue water!

In a nutshell, Rottnest has extremely tame quokkas, probably the world’s most expensive bakery (well, it is on an island and all waste is taken to the mainland), a countless number of small bays to swim in and a lot of wildlife. It is just a 1,5 hour-ferry-ride away from Perth CBD so why not go and experience Rottnest?!

Pelicans were right there to welcome us to the island when we hopped off the ferry.

Unfortunately quokkas aren’t welcomed in the grocery store.

Swimming in Australia-style in the Rottnest Bay.

Lifeguards at work.

“Casually parking my boat.”

A quokka (in other words a mix of a mini-kangaroo and a rat) very happy about the green leaf we gave him as they can’t climb trees!

Swimming on the western side of the island.

I don’t know what you mean, my legs aren’t sandy at all!

Kids playing cricket at the beach while parents are dining. Time to say farewell to a couple of amazingly sunny days at Rottnest - we’ll see again!

Off to Rotto!

All the swimming gear, sunscreen and zinc paste (it comes in pink!) and bike helmets (in Australia you get a fine for riding a bike without a helmet) have been packed and we are so ready to go!

Rottnest Island is spontaneously calling our names for an overnight stay and I am excited! It has been over two years since my last visit and I can’t wait for two days of cycling around the island, swimming in crystal clear ocean water, feeding some quokkas (they look like a mixture of rats and mini-kangaroos) and eating some delicious seafood and just having a good time!

Despite of my (and many Perthinites’) love for Rottnest, I wouldn’t say it is the ultimate destination for everyone who visits Perth. Unfortunately, it is overpriced and some may consider it is even a little bit boring. However, I can guarantee that with a couple of good friends, swimwear and bikes it can be simply the best weekend getaway destination this continent has to offer!

Australia listens…

Australia has voted! The Hottest 100 is like the much cooler and younger little brother of the Eurovision song contest. And this year’s winner was…

1. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Thrift Shop

“I’m gonna pop some tags
Only got 20 dollars in my pocket
I, I, I’m hunting, lookin’ for a come-up
This is fucking awesome.”

Seems very un-Triple-J music to me but it is kinda catchy! I can almost see myself running along the river and listening to this!

2. Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks

The Icelandic band that is so extremely well loved by Aussies! By the way, am I the only one who thinks that they sound like they’re related to Angus & Julia Stone?!

3. Alt-J – Breezeblocks

After finding out the top 3 I’ve been feeling rather uncool. In a million years I wouldn’t have voted these songs (well, except for my Icelandic cousins’ song) to be the best songs of last year! Oh well, the people have voted! If you’re interested in what Australia is listening to, check out the complete list here!

 

Ps. Triple J is playing all the top 200 songs this weekend so stay tuned!

Aussie Day 2013!

Australian internet isn’t the most reliable one in the world… it definitely doesn’t work like a toilet on a train! Therefore I apologize for the delay but here they are… pictures from the very Australian Australia Day 2013!

2093 people floated on thongs at Cottesloe- new world record!

An Australian delicacy.


Who wants a Golden Gaytime?

Where are the Aussie flag mirror covers?

Even Kleenex boxes dressed up!

Very sparkly!

Perth City Skywork 2013!

And that was Aussie Day 2013 – a very laidback day in perfect weather! The only downside was the song that won Triple J’s Hottest 100 but I’ll come to that tomorrow!

Aussie Day

If you asked young Australians what is the best day of the year, I bet their answer would be 26th of January – also known as Australia Day!

It’s the Australian version of an independence day even when it’s nothing like that. It’s the day when Australia was “discovered” by the Brits. So what is Australia Day? Well, it is full of outdoor concerts, barbeques, fireworks, citizenship ceremonies, parties starting at 10 am (not joking) and festivals. And, of course, one can’t talk about Australia Day without mentioning Triple J’s Hottest 100 which is an amazingly popular whole day affair of listening to the past year’s most voted songs.

Stores have been full of Australia Day merchandise already ever since all Christmas merchandise was stocked away. It is very easy to find things as Australian flag mirror covers for your car, flags to put in your car, fake tattoos and all kinds of clothes with the flag… even Havaianas sell their popular thongs with a small Aussie flag around this time of the year!

Our plans for tomorrow include listening to the Hottest 100 (naturally – as everyone will be talking about it for the rest of the month), having a BBQ, eating some Lamington (a very Australian sponge cake), going to see the fireworks and naturally wearing my new singlet that fits the theme extremely well – I’ll be back with more about all that tomorrow!