Semester 2 studies

We are nearly half way through semester 2 of the university year, which here in Europe they call the summer semester (the first one is called the winter semester!). We have continued with our busy timetable but the group of students has become a really well connected group now that we know each other so well and have spent so much time together. 

Spring has definitely sprung with many plants growing green shoots and flowers growing on the ground, it is such a big change from the snow and stark trees of winter compared to the changes we see in Australia. There are many birds around that I hear singing throughout the day, which is very nice too.

Current view out the window - much greenery. 

This semester we've had two guest teachers. Michel Widmer who we did the instrument building workshop with took us for classes with using these instruments as well as body percussion, voice and boomwhackers. 

Playing the instruments we made ourselves with Michel (thanks Senem for the photo!)

Our second guest teacher was world renowned Orff teacher Doug Goodkin from the USA. It was an intense two weeks of study but we also had a lot of fun. On Sunday (our one day off!) Doug even took us on his favourite bike ride around Salzburg. Down the canal 'Almkanal' where we saw people practising their surfing! We then rode past one of the houses used in the Sound of Music movie (the back of the house view with the lake), finishing with a well deserved lunch near the centre of town.  

Special Course being a bit silly with Doug outside the Orff Institute

Michele, Kirrabelle, Doug, Virginia

The bike riders from Doug's tour of Salzburg!

Surfing on the canal (there was also a group of people waiting to have a turn)

One of the houses used in filming the Sound of Music film, fortress castle in the background

In March my lovely friends from the OSASA (Orff Schulwerk Association of South Australia) committee sent myself and fellow Australian students Michele and Virginia a 'down under' box each. It was full of tasty treats from home including vegeminte, tim tams, fantails, minties, milo, tiny teddies, etc. I have been eating mine slowly and still have a couple of things left to eat this month.

Opening my Down Under box from OSASA

Delivering the Down Under boxes to Virginia and Michele (they all came in the same parcel)

In the next couple of weeks I will write my essay which is the first of three 'end of year exams' we have for the Special Course. Now that I am comfortable with studying and living in Salzburg it is a bit strange to think about planning for the end of the university year and leaving, but my aim is to enjoy the next few months as much as possible.

Happy holidays to all my Australian teacher friends and Happy Easter to everyone!