Name: Kietah Martens-Shaw
Program: Event Management
Hometown: Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia

The weekend before O-Week: 

Due to the fact that I was staying on campus when I began college I had to register and move in the weekend before O-Week. I am a very outgoing person but there was something a little daunting yet exciting about the whole idea of starting college. When I arrived I was pleasantly accommodated by older students also know as RA’s (Resident Assistants). I was shown my room and was very overwhelmed by the fact that I could see amazing blue sky and have a view of Manly Beach just by looking out my window.

Over that weekend I met new girls and guys living on campus as making friends wasn’t hard in the collaborative on campus environment.

During the day on Saturday I went snorkelling in Manly with a group of girls which was organised by the college as an activity. It was beautiful weather which made it all that more pleasurable.

On Saturday night I ventured into Manly - my first night out! The night life was really surprising as I had never been out in Manly before I was really taken away by the atmosphere.

Monday

O-Week began with a few introductory seminars and activities that consisted of all the new students. At first we thought The first day was good in that we got to meet others doing our course and others from around the world. It was an amazing feeling to chat and meet people from all around the world, recognising similarities and differences in all aspects of our lives.

In the afternoon we were taken on a tour which was great to just see certain areas of campus that may come in handy throughout your time at college, such as the library.
That night after a big day we were all together in the cafeteria for dinner. It was really a different experience, so exciting and new.

Tuesday:

Today we were given programs to explain our week ahead a little further, showing the different seminars, activities and social events coming up. I went to an Event Management meeting which at first I thought would be the time we would all be catching up on sleep but it was really helpful in that we were given a little more of an incite to what was ahead of us with our course. We all finished our course seminars and were very excited about the course to come and the night which awaits.

That night was our first night to look our finest. The beginning of term Cocktail Party. There was a welcoming ceremony to officially invite and welcome myself and all of the rest of the new students to ICMS. After the ceremony we were ushered out to the front of the college where we drank champagne, ate canapés and socialised with each other whilst looking out across manly beach in the afternoon sun.

Wednesday:

After a really late yet great night, getting to know each other we had a quite relaxing day. Getting our relevant uniforms, such as I got my Events shirt and registering for clubs to get involved in the college; I signed up for SRC as it was such an inviting group of people and a great way to get involved and get to know more people.

I also signed up for the Surf trip activity with a group of girls and guys that was being held over the weekend.

That afternoon I was invited to play touch football and other activities with a group of girls and guys on the Headlands. This was really exciting for me as I am strongly involved in sport and love to have a run around.

After we released a bit of energy we got ready for the aussy party which was held in the bassment bar. This was quite different, it involved a wildlife guy showing us all the different types of animals in Australia; the event being focused on international students becoming more aware of the animals in Australia. Although I am from Australia I did learn new things.

Thursday:

Thursday was a really fun and interactive day with plenty to do. We did activities that revolved around team building on the Headlands at college. After splitting up into groups we completed against other groups in activities such as jumping castle races, tug of war, sack races and volley ball with an oversized ball. It was that little bit more enriching for myself I must admit. I can be quite competitive and can really get into competitions – but of course WE WON in the end, so no complaints from me, a very successful morning!

After this we had a lunch together with a few other students who were helping out at O-Week. A thing that really shone for me now being at ICMS for roughly 5 days is the happy and helpful approach of the students and how comfortable they made each individual feel.

Friday:

Friday was commencement day. It really was a great way to finish the week. There was a bunch of different activities set up on the head lands, one being my favourite; a massive blow up slide. A bucking bull, AFL kicking, donut eating competition, sausage sizzle, music, live entertainment, Yoga and student booths for different teams and groups of students within ICMS that you could get involved in and sign up too.

This week for myself was a really memorable experience, with plenty to do and so many nice and welcoming people to meet and get to know there really was no faulting ICMS’s welcome week – also know as O-Week.

A big thank you to the students especially who helped out with the new students making it the fun and success it was. And I am looking forward to being as much if not more accommodating than the students were for us new students – you really were the face of the fun and excitement, Thank you!