A week at K-State, recap

I have spent the majority of this week pinching myself, to make sure this whole incredible adventure is real! Monday morning, I couldn’t believe my luck when I looked out of my window and saw snow! It was a big moment for this little Aussie, who has never seen snow fall before!

I walked to Weber Hall and met Dr Nichols, Tamie, and lots of other professors and staff; it was great to finally put faces to names! Then it was straight into class; where the enthusiasm of my professors has impressed me all week, and I am incredibly excited about how much I can learn from them. This week has included identifying digestive tracts in lab, beef and pork pricing and grading, animal physiology and behaviour, guest speakers ranging from beef marketing specialists to restaurateurs….and its only week 1!!

‘Sustainability’ has been referenced in most of my classes, and seems to be attracting a lot of focus from within industry here – it’s interesting to see the variation in what sustainability means to different sectors of the industry here, and to compare with our Australian industry.

I was also lucky enough to attend a meeting of the Collegiate Cattleman’s Club, a group who I can learn lots from and look forward to spending more time with. Language still creates comical barriers for me as I get to know class mates, they’ve explained that a truck isn’t a semi, and I’ve explained lamingtons and vegemite! Friday, January 26th – Happy Australia Day…. I tried to bring a little bit of Aus to Kansas!

Looking back, I appreciate the generous American hospitality shown to me already and I can’t believe what I have fit into this first week – this makes me so excited for the weeks to come!