A unique college weekend...

College life is an interesting environment. A college campus is filled with bright, young individuals full of goals and ideas. It is a special community with so many optimistic minds together in a condensed area. The learning that exists outside the classroom can be just as valuable as inside the classroom. Then there is another interesting side of college life. College weekend nights are often a time to cut loose and have a blast. These nights often include goofy mischief, drunken escapades, and funny stories. In other words, college life is an environment of two extremes –extreme intellectually and extreme in fun. This is a unique combination and one that I know I must keep in balance for sanity purposes. Too much of either can hinder a student’s college experience.

During my first month in Australia, it was easy to find the extreme fun college environment. I enjoyed these moments, but these friendships need be nothing more than superficial and the events can be enjoyed with almost anyone. I was looking for a little more of the first described aspect of college life from my abroad experience. The balance I wanted was a different balance than my earliest friends in Australia were seeking, and during that first month I grew frustrated as I struggled to find the intellectual outlet outside the classroom. I struggled to find a close group of friends who I related to enough to share meaningful and challenging conversations with (however, the situation did make me realize the value in a few friendships I built at USD over 3 years, and I am grateful for this realization). In September, I finally found a balanced friendship with my Australian neighbor Huey and two other friends named Brandt and Madison. Huey, Brandt, and Madison are at a similar place in life as me and look for a similar balance of fun and growth in friendships. Our friendship has provided me the piece I was struggling to find abroad. At least one of these three friends have somehow been involved in most of my meaningful moments abroad. I will share two of these moments in the following two paragraphs.

Recently I spent a weekend with these friends that most exchange students are not lucky enough to experience. On Friday night, they invited me to dinner at their mate PJ’s house. PJ has 4 roommates and they literally live in downtown Sydney, 100 yards from the harbor bridge. Their top balcony has the best view I have seen in Sydney, but I was unfortunately not smart enough to bring a camera. Although PJ’s pad is visually impressive, what was more impressive was what was going on at their house. Every Friday night, PJ and his roommates invite their friends over for dinner and to hang out for the night. Instead of the typical Friday night college party, these college guys show their love for one another through service. PJ and his roommates open their house and welcome everyone and anyone (I mean they let me come...so that's saying something) over for dinner. They pay for the food themselves and also cook the meal themselves. Nothing is asked for in return. Additionally, the evening consists of many laughs, a discussion of a random bible verse, and a few games of FIFA on playstation 3. Initially I believe this idea was started with the goal of brotherhood, but the boys also gladly welcome any female friends over to join. The guests are encouraged to invite additional friends as well. PJ and his roommates bring together a variety of people and create a community –a welcoming brotherhood to grow from and rely on when needed.

The following Saturday night, my three friends invited me to an authentic Australian BBQ. Brandt and Madison intern for a well-known company in Sydney and each live with an Australian family. The BBQ was at the home of one these families and its purpose was to welcome Madison’s father who had come to visit for the week. The BBQ was interesting not only because there were several significant Australian businesspeople there, but also because of the type of conversation that was had. Everyone sat in a circle around the table, and since Madison’s dad was the guest of honor, the majority of the questions were directed his way. One bloke described the evening as “Quiz the Guest” (I believe this may be the name of some Australian tv show). The first question asked to Madison’s father was an intimidating one. He was asked, “Tell us who you are. But tell us who you are beyond your age, what you do for a career, and your accomplishments. We want to know the real man. What can you tell us to really help us get to know who you are?” I found this question to be difficult, intriguing, and powerful. Madison’s dad answered the question well with a few significant stories from both his childhood and adult years. These stories shaped the character of the man he is today. The meaningful questions at the table kept flowing throughout the evening, but there were too many to summarize in one post.

Overall, this was a really special weekend for me. I cherish the weekends away from the routine that challenge me to think and grow. The dinner at PJ’s was a humbling example of living life with an other-oriented approach. Instead of looking for what they could receive on a Friday night, PJ and his roommates were focused on the brotherhood they could give to their friends and newcomers. Although unusual, I found it inspiring to see a group of college guys discuss a Bible verse on "a Friday night." And I liked that the discussion was brought back to applying the thought/lesson to today's society. The next house I move into with roommates, I hope to create a similar welcoming brotherhood environment. Also, the BBQ dinner was quite the experience. The evening was filled with intriguing conversation. I like to view myself as a thinker, but these guys blew me out of the water with their insight. I enjoyed this challenge to think deeper. Also, I later discovered that one of the men I had been speaking with was the reigning “Australian of the Year” for his non-profit organization’s work. I found it really cool that this man did not even mention this title to me. The night wasn’t about accomplishments and titles; it was about whom people are beyond this shell. I was at the BBQ for 3 hours, but I literally could have stayed all night. It is great to be in atmospheres where everyone is comfortable thinking and challenging one another. It was a unique college weekend that most students may not get to experience.