SECOND DAY OF SCHOOL!

Once again I absolutely love my class & professor!

Professional Skills: Counselling and Managing Conflict.

(Yes in Australia it is spelled with two ll's.)

The teacher Christine (I forgot to tell you guys that teachers in Australia prefer to be called by their first names... they don't care if you know they are a doctor of whatever, they're way laid back and cool) has had many years of practice and is a psychologist. The atmosphere in the class is very comfortable and informal. She said that she doesn't want us to feel like we are in a counseling session in her class, but she does value participation and sharing of experience.

There is an emphasis in the class of counseling as it pertains to offenders, and working with criminals. We all introduced ourselves and talked a little about ourselves. She did a brief introduction then we did an activity that taught the value of placement/circumstance/proximity in communication.

She had us partner up (I partnered with Tammy, a sweet lady I met who is nervous about being an "old" student--she's a mom and probably in her 30-40's) and Christine had us communicate about 3 subjects in 3 different ways.

1. We had to stand about 7 feet apart and talk about how school was going so far.

2. We had to stand back to back and discuss the upcoming election

3. We had to stand face to face with our toes touching and discuss our feelings on abortion.

It was a really eye-opening activity and I liked it.

1. Taught us that too much space between you and your client makes you feel panicked. Its hard to listen and understand each other when you are that far apart, and you hold back information in fear that you might offend someone.

2. Taught us that its hard to communicate without eye contact. You end up feeling like no one is listening and no matter what you turn your head in an effort to listen and talk to each other more easily, and also, when you don't have eye contact you get distracted by other things going on around you.

3. When standing too close you feel violated and embarrassed, and find it hard to talk (ahhh bad breath!) but it's easier to talk about such a passionate/hot topic because you are in close proximity, and you are SURE the other person is listening.

It was a cool activity. She lectured some more and then we were free for the day. She was ver approachable and funny and I really enjoyed her! 

I took some pictures of the classroom (while other students stared at me) but the rooms are SO MUCH NICER than sac state. I know this UNI is new-er than sac state but still... sac state should step it up...

Its hard to tell in the picture but that wall is composed of giant doors 

that slide completely open like Papa's house.

The cloudy part of the wall is actually "white board" and can be drawn on and erased- super cool!

The wall directly across from the white board wall is this one

It has flatscreen tvs to show the power point

and the green panels are also "white board" that can be drawn on and erased

I love the desk/tables.

the shape allows them to be single desks 

or put together in various shapes.

Above is the front of the classroom very nice computers, screens, and teaching area.

some sunset pictures just because I love the sunsets here!