Yak Magazine - June Issue

Travel through UON // Travelling Solo // Travellers Education // ‘Dangerous’ Cities //

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Yak Magazine // The Travel Issue Issue 36 // June 2016 We are Yak Media: the University of Newcastle’s student media channel, run

by UON students. Our three platforms: Yak Magazine, which boasts a quarterly magazine, Yak Blog, and Yak TV – are run by dedicated teams of students.

Yak works hard to bring you stories covering all aspects of student life, from health and wellbeing, to travel and entertainment, to politics and study tips.

Let us know if you like what we do, have any suggestions for story ideas, or if you would like to get involved.

SUBMISSIONS

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The Yak editorial team is always on the look out for passionate student writers and graphic designers to contribute to the magazine. If you would like to take the opportunity to get your work published, please send a sample of your writing or graphic design work to yakmedia@newcastle.edu.au

Stay connected www.yakatuon.com facebook.com/YakMedia twitter.com/YakMedia instagram.com/YakMedia yakmedia@newcastle.edu.au

Check out Yak Digital online! Scan here.

Yak Magazine is a free publication supported

by Student Central at the University of Newcastle © 2016. www.newcastle.edu.au Printed by PrintCentre on Callaghan Campus.

EDITORIAL

Managing Editor // Sarah Webb Deputy Managing Editor // Sarah James Digital Managing Editor // Jackelyn Bassett Deputy Digital Managing Editor // Bridie O’Shea Promotions Coordinator // Chelsea Groth Writer // Thomas Birch Writer // Nadene Budden Writer // Chris Daniel Writer // Jack Moran Writer // Georgia Mueck Writer // Michaela Wagland

DESIGN

Lead Graphic Designer // Breanna Yates Graphic Designer // Jackie Brock Graphic Designer // Emily Cranidge Graphic Designer // Kathleen Maier Graphic Designer // Laura Unicomb

CONTRIBUTORS

Writer // Kait Fenwick Writer // Bridget Gunn Writer // Gunnaina Kohli Writer // Melissa Newphry Writer // Nick Smit Photographer // Joseph Barrientos Photographer // Nacho Bilbao Photographer // Chris Daniel Photographer // Simon De Peak Photographer // Kevin Fernandez Photographer // Ezra Jeffrey Photographer // Kiel Johnson Photographer // Siobhan Kelly Photographer // Steven Lewis Photographer // Herman Lucio Photographer // Sawtooth Studio Photographer // Ian Schneider

Cover art

Cover // Kathleen Maier

Yak Magazine // June 2016

contents 05 // Have your Yak : Editorial

28 // Getting Active with UON

06 // Have Your Yak : Students

29 // The Truth Behind ‘Dangerous’ Cities

08 // Study Snapshot : Educational Travel

30 // Arts : The Art of Travel Writing

09 // 5 Tips : Travelling Safely

31 // Surviving a Real Winter

10 // First Stop UON, Next Stop the World

32 // Dealing with Reverse Culture Shock

12 // A Day in the Life : An International Student

34 // Mass Debate : Contiki vs Own Organised Trip

13 // Clubs & Societies : Not Those Kind of Nudes

35 // Destinations for first-time backpackers

14 // Oh, the Places You’ll Go

36 // Can Friendship Survive Travelling Together?

16 // Travel Scams and How to Avoid Them

37 // Rollin’ with the Locals

17 // Top Tips to Tranquilise Transport Troubles

38 // Tips to Spot an Aussie Abroad

18 // Top Ten Travel Apps

39 // Watt Space : Coast to Coast, Country to Country

20 // Is Social Media Heightening Your FOMO?

40 // Navigating the World of Drinks

21 // Health : Managing Stress

42 // Travelling Solo

22 // To Airbnb or not to Airbnb?

43 // Mic Drop : Jemima Webber

26 // Give Me a Break

44 // Women in Music from Around the Country

27 // The Catch-22 of Bali’s Tourism

46 // What’s On

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Designed by Breanna Yates

Yak Magazine // June 2016

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Editors Letter No matter how often (or how infrequent) I travel, I look forward to each and every journey with a sense of juvenile excitement. Even when returning to a familiar destination, I always find there is something new to discover – a café that wasn’t there before, a hidden bookstore filled with old vinyl records and dream dictionaries that I’d overlooked, or perhaps a well known attraction that I hadn’t had time to take in the last time around.

I can remember travelling long distances as a child, and I honestly don’t recall ever asking the proverbial “are we there yet?” that so many parents seem to dread. With family and friends spread fairly diversely throughout the east coast of Australia, trips for a weekend wedding or visiting the grandparents were fairly common practices.

Last July, a solo trip to London saw my first overseas experience. I recall the weeks and weekends spent getting to know the locals, making lifelong international friends, sitting in parks, eating cookies and reading Agatha Christie novels. I was taking in everything the city had to offer, and learning to really appreciate my Australian culture and heritage.

Designed by Breanna Yates

I firmly believe that travel is a great educator, whether it’s around your own country, to discovering new cultures and beliefs in far flung locations. So long as one’s mind is open and one’s spirit is alive, there is just so much out there to take in and absorb – things to see, smell, taste, feel and hear.

Each time I begin my packing ritual, butterflies set in. They’re not butterflies of anxiety or fear; these are the excited and happy breed, eagerly awaiting a whole new adventure.

As you read through the Travel issue, I hope the team at Yak manage to awaken a tiny cluster of butterflies somewhere deep within you, and that you let them have full reign as you plan your next venture around our incredible world, during this semester break.

Happy travels!

Sarah and the Yak team.

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Have Your Yak // Editorial Team “If tomorrow was your last day on earth, and you could choose anywhere in the world to spend it, where would it be?”

Sarah Webb Magazine Editor “Any tearoom in the Cotswolds, England.”

Sarah James Deputy Magazine Editor “Partying in Ibiza.”

Jackelyn Bassett Digital Editor “Regensburg in Germany.”

Bridie O’Shea Deputy Digital Editor “Iceland, to see the Aurora Borealis.”

Thomas Birch Writer “An island in Vanuatu with my friends and family.”

Nadene Budden Writer “At a VIP nightclub, drink in hand.”

Chris Daniel Writer “Ireland, to drink away the sorrows of my last day.”

Jack Moran Writer “Trekking through the Himalayas. “

Georgia Mueck Writer “Olympus, Turkey.”

Michaela Wagland Writer “Bath, England.”

Chelsea Groth Promotions Officer “Paris. That city owns my soul.”

Breanna Yates Lead Graphic Designer “Wanaka, New Zealand.”

Kathleen Maier Lead Digital Designer “Wandering the streets of Paris.”

Jackie Brock Graphic Designer “In Newcastle at the beach.”

Emily Cranidge Graphic Designer “In England with family.”

Laura Unicomb Graphic Designer “Paris at the Eiffel Tower.”

Designed by Emily Cranidge

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Yak Magazine // June 2016

HAVE YOUR YAK // VOX POPS “When travelling, what essential can’t you live without?”

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Jordan Avellis

Kevin Connell

Georgia Cowen

Bachelor of Business

Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science

Bachelor of Visual Communication Design

“Probably a 20 pack of underwear.”

“My phone.”

“A wallet full of cash.”

Arthur Pratt

Matthew Price

Steven Sheridan

Bachelor of Social Science

Bachelor of Construction Management

Bachelor of Communication

“A sturdy pair of shoes made from leather or suede.”

“Paw Paw cream. That stuff is god-like.”

“My camera.”

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Giselle Futter

Ally Hiles

Caitlin Muddle

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Nursing

Bachelor of Laws/Communication

“Good vibes or a group of best friends willing to make memories.”

“Baby wipes, it’s practically a shower in a can.”

“Alcohol.”

Kyah Skavinski

Joseph Van Lier

Josh Wilcher

Bachelor of Laws/Communication

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science

“Lip Balm.”

“Aftershave. No matter how dirty you are, aftershave will always make you smell good.”

“Trail Mix.”

Designed by Emily Cranidge

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Yak Magazine // June 2016

STUDY SNAPSHOT // Educational Travel Bridie O’Shea explores how travel can be a great educator, like sitting in on a lecture, but a whole lot more fun.

With the contemporary workplace being global in nature, it’s understandable why study abroad programs are encouraged at UON. There has been a lot of clichés like ‘travelling will change you’. However, it was UON Professor, Kevin Lyons, who decided to take a closer look into how and why this can happen.

Professor Lyons has undergone research in the field of educational travel and how this affects youth development, stemming from an idea he had when he was an undergraduate at the University of Technology in Sydney, studying sociology.

“My own experience, and those of friends, when I went through university and did some travelling is what got me started. We all felt that travel was a better educator than the actual class work, and so it started from there,” Professor Lyons said.

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Professor Lyons has done a number of studies about educational travel through quantitative research methods, using surveys to gather stories and experiences of people. Primarily, the people he has attracted to participate have been through travel agents like STA Travel at the Callaghan campus, who are marketing their programs to students, and through international offices of universities.

“While it is important to do a degree and study something you’re passionate about, to turn that passion into reality, sometimes you need an experience to make it relevant.

And there’s no greater experience than international travel,” Professor Lyons said.

“Travel generally puts you outside of your comfort zone and makes you think about how the stuff you’ve learned in the classroom becomes relevant in that context.”

But just saying that you’ve been overseas, doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re an all-knowing all-powerful human being, it depends on how open you are to the opportunity to change and have that experience affect you.

Designed by Emily Cranidge

One area Professor Lyons’ research looks into the perfect size of travelling groups. He said that if you have three or more people from one country travelling together, you can be cocooned inwards into your own culture. With the popularity of group travel companies like Contiki and Topdeck amongst students, there’s a chance that this could happen.

“The focus of Contiki tours is on the individual and that is fine, you can learn a lot about yourself,” he said. However, Professor Lyons argues that travelling independently to places pushes you beyond your comfort zone.

Australia is on its way to realising the potential of student mobility, which can be seen here in Newcastle, with the exchange programs offered at UON. Professor Lyons feels that this research is important because it shows that we have the ability to change and adapt to the different cultures we will be exposed to in the workplace.

“Having had a bit of experience and going into your first job, pursuing a career, that’s pretty useful,” he said.

“While it is important to do a degree and study something you’re passionate about, to turn that passion into reality, sometimes you need an experience to make it relevant. And there’s no greater experience than international travel.”

For Professor Lyons, the most rewarding part of this research is demonstrating the hunch he’s always had; that travel can change people. “Travel is definitely a great educator,” he said. “There’s no doubt about it in my mind that it can complement – supplement if you like – formal education in a way like nothing else can.”

If this article has spiked your interest in study abroad programs, you can contact the UON Global Office at Study-Overseas@newcastle.edu.au or visit on Callaghan during consultation times on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Photo courtesy of Unsplash // Steven Lewis

5 tips // travelling safely Jack Moran has some handy hints to ensure your travel experience stays fun and free from danger.

1. Travel with a friend

4. Save, save and then save some more

When it comes to travelling, you’re never too old for the buddy system. Not only can travelling with a mate make the trip more affordable, as you can split accommodation costs, sharing the travel experience with a friend means you’ll have someone reliable looking out for you while you’re travelling.

If you’re planning a holiday, you’ve probably already saved for upfront costs such as airfares. However, it’s a good idea to have an emergency fund stashed away that is separate to your spending money. You’ll be thanking yourself if you ever need to change hotels or require alternate transportation.

2. Stay connected and in contact Unless you’re kayaking the Amazon, or trekking through the Himalayas, you’ll probably have Internet access wherever you’re going. You’ve got no excuse then not to keep in touch with friends and family, so they know what you’re doing and where you’re going.

Regularly checking in with loved ones means they can quickly know if you’re in trouble.

3. Invest in some travel insurance Accidents happen, that’s a fact of life, and accidents overseas can be much more stressful and costly. If you’re going overseas, travel insurance is a ‘must’, in case something goes wrong and you need medical attention. Medical care in foreign countries is generally expensive and paid out of pocket. This means you or your family would have to come up with the funds fast.

“Accidents happen, that’s a fact of life, and accidents overseas can be much more stressful and costly.”

5. Check out smartraveller.gov.au The Australian government’s trip advisory website is smartraveller.gov.au. Before you decide to go jet setting around the word, check the site for information on current safety concerns such as crime, terrorism and health issues in prospective travel destinations. The site also has plenty more tips and advice for travelling safety.

Designed by Laura Unicomb

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Yak Magazine // June 2016

FIRST STOP UON, NEXT STOP THE WORLD Sarah James explores the diferent avenues you can go globetrotting through at UON.

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By the time Week 12 approaches, it’s pretty easy to fantasise about a life with no assignments or exams.

Thankfully, UON has recognised the wanderlust most students feel at some point, and as such, have provided numerous opportunities to travel overseas and gain international awareness, while completing a degree.

iLEAD PLUS Everyone knows how competitive the job market is, so it’s really important to find that extra ‘something’ to stand out to employers. The International Leadership Experience and Development (iLEAD) Plus program is a fantastic way to enhance a resume while also developing essential life-long skills.

The Mobility and Engagement Assistant for UON Global, Mitchell Hunter, said that iLEAD came about as a way to better promote international opportunities and to encourage more students to go overseas as a part of their degree.

Mitchell said that iLEAD was also in response to UON recognising that many skills simply cannot be taught in a classroom setting.

“iLEAD provides a practical way to develop these skills through motivational speakers, volunteering and international exchanges,” Mitchell said. Through the development of skills in areas such as leadership, international awareness and social responsibility, iLEAD aspires to enhance the employability of graduates.

While it seems there is a lot involved to complete the iLEAD Program, there is no time limit to finish it. iLEAD is recognised on a student’s Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement after they complete the online induction, participate in nine skill building workshops and four International Leadership Series speaker events, and accumulate 100 iLEAD Plus points through activities like volunteering or studying abroad. There is also a ceremony held for iLEAD students upon the completion of the program.

The workshops and speaker events feature guest speakers whose achievements can be inspirational. The most unforgettable speaker Mitchell saw was founder of the Thankyou Group, Daniel Flynn. At only 19 years old, Flynn set up a social enterprise with 100 per cent of the profits going towards water, food and health projects in developing countries.

Yak Magazine // June 2016

SEMESTER ABROAD Sometimes a change in scenery is exactly what is needed in order to feel that little bit more motivated about studying.

The UON Student Exchange program allows for students to study one or two semesters at a university overseas.

With over 120 partner institutions to choose from, there is no shortage of different cultures to experience. Organising the exchange can seem overwhelming, but it’s actually easier than first thought. The UON Global Office is open for consultations on Wednesdays and Fridays from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at the Hunter Building. iLEAD Plus is even more important when considering a semester abroad, as participants are eligible for travel grants, scholarships, complimentary insurance and interest free loans.

Often, it is making the decision to go which is actually more difficult than the exchange itself. UON Graduate, Jack Chaffey, said after making that decision.

Everything just falls into place with a lot less effort than you’d think.

“I certainly learned a lot while I was studying, but the insight into culture from my local friends there, was priceless.”

He completed six months at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands, in order to push himself out of his comfort zone. And the end result?

“I certainly learned a lot while I was studying, but the insight into culture from my local friends there, was priceless,” Jack said. “If you’re thinking about going, commit to the opportunity.”

Short Courses Although a full semester abroad would be amazing, often it just isn’t feasible. Whether it is financial difficulties, maintaining employment, or simply wanting to not be away from family for that long, uprooting life out of Australia for six months isn’t for everyone. That is why the short courses are a great alternative. Typically ranging from two to eight weeks, short courses give students the opportunity to experience studying overseas. In some circumstances, students are even able to gain course credit.

Active members of iLEAD can also receive up to $750 in travel grants for this option.

Bachelor of Communication student, Sarah Webb, completed a short course in London (facilitated

by CISaustralia) last July, which she said shaped the person she is today. “What appealed to me the most was the length of stay in London,” she said. For Sarah, this was three weeks. “I knew it would allow me to immerse myself in a different society and culture, but I could go knowing that I wouldn’t be gone for long.”

Since the time in a short course spent overseas is greatly smaller than a whole semester, it’s easier on the pocket too.

“Considering it was my first solo, international trip, I was apprehensive studying for a semester abroad and thought this was a great way to go for long enough, but not for ‘too long’,” Sarah said.

The benefit of doing a short course overseas also gives you the chance to meet like-minded people in the industry.

Studying Multimedia Journalism at the University of Westminster in London, she found this particularly helpful when it came to networking with peers that, for her, included international students and tutors. Being able to gather views from people, from varying cultures and experiences, helped round out her experience both overseas and at home with her studies.

Internships and Volunteering Numerous external organisations like CISaustralia and Projects Abroad (sanctioned by UON) provide students the opportunity to complete an internship overseas or to volunteer in a developing country. This is a great opportunity for those looking to make a difference while exploring a different culture.

Often all of these programs provide volunteering opportunities within various areas, allowing students the chance to participate in projects on conservation, human rights, medicine and healthcare, and teaching and childcare. Internships and volunteering opportunities can also be facilitated through study area faculties. Students wishing to participate can also contact their faculty’s Program Advisors for information regarding academic requirements or credit.

For more information regarding overseas opportunities and study abroad programs, head to newcastle.edu.au/international/ study-with-us/study-abroad-and-exchange/study-overseas.

You can visit UON Global on Callaghan campus to speak with someone in person.

Designed by Jackie Brock

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Yak Magazine // June 2016

A day in the life // an international student Chris Daniel talks to former international student, Justin Davis, about the benifits of studying abroad at UON.

Australia, but I was never able to physically get there. So as soon as I found out I could get a partnership through my degree, I was stoked,” he said.

Although his degree in Computer Engineering was vital for when he returned home, his year abroad took him to lengths in which most exchange students don’t get to experience. “For me, the most exciting things were through the University. Some clubs and societies were fun, but I managed to score a position on the Ultimate Frisbee team when they played at the Wagga Wagga University Games,” Justin said. But aside from that, he also managed to travel to New Zealand, dive the Great Barrier Reef, and also visit Sydney.

Photography // Simon De Peak

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Sitting in a leather interior car on a humid day, to endure the eight-hour drive from Wagga to Newcastle, seems like a dismal way to spend your last day abroad in another country. For Justin Davis, this was the only way to arrive in time for his flight home the next day, even if it meant risking running out of fuel on a deserted highway.

For exchange students, memories like this can last a lifetime. The real challenge is trying to remember life on a daily basis. Days become weeks, and weeks soon turn into one year’s worth of unforgettable memories.

When I asked Justin what he thought about Australia, he said it seemed rather backwards, only in the sense that there were fewer restrictions on everything and society operated with relaxed barriers. “If you take America, and then minus the burning desire to sue the hell out of everyone, that’s Australia,” Justin said.

He has since moved back to Arkansas, in the United States, and has managed to perfectly recount what it was like to live away from home for a year. This included recounting the dangers of travelling alone, the cultural barriers he faced, and the benefits provided by UON. Exchange students usually study abroad as a form of reassurance. Instead of delaying university, they form a combination of travel and study, but for Justin, it was another story. “As a child I always wanted to go to Designed by Jackie Brock

Naturally, when you travel to another country, you manage to have a moment of culture shock. Despite the United States and Australia being relatively similar, Justin made a few interesting points about Australian behaviour. “In America we have to tip. There’s no getting out of it, but in Australia, you have a choice,” he said. “I also noticed that Australians have harsher language. We have that language back at home, but we don’t use it in casual conversation.”

Through his eyes, Justin said the most confronting thing he dealt with was not having a close group of friends or family nearby, and having to learn how things like money and travel worked. However, after that was all sorted out, Justin said he was fine. “I would recommend it to anyone. I even have a couple of my friends studying at UON now,” Justin said.

A year abroad in a foreign country may be a bit confronting at first, but it’s an opportunity worth taking. The University of Newcastle runs partnerships with other universities across the globe, offering a diverse range of opportunities.

If you’re a domestic student, visit the International Office on Callaghan campus to find out more about travelling opportunities through the University.

For international students, you can give UON Global Office a call on 4921 6236 or email them at international-advisors@ newcastle.edu.au for advice on a range of welfare and support services during your stay.

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Photo courtesy of Unsplash // Nacho Bilbao

Clubs & societies // Not Those Kind of NUDES Jack Moran plunges into the aquatic life with the Newcastle University Diving and Exploration Society (NUDES).

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If you’re looking for a group on campus that’s all about travel and adventure, look no further than the Newcastle University Diving and Exploration Society (NUDES).

NUDES facilitates free SCUBA and snorkeling gear hire for members, as well as organising regular trips to dive sites, like Seal Rocks, Nelson Bay, South West Rocks and even the Great Barrier Reef and Vanuatu.

members are happy to point you in the direction of local training facilities to get you started.

“NUDES is open to anybody who has a love for the ocean.”

“NUDES makes a traditionally expensive sport significantly cheaper and more accessible to even the most broke uni student,” she said. Beyond that, however, Sarah also said that there is no better way to destress from the rigors of university life than to take advantage of the beautiful coastline that we live and study in.

The society also runs pub crawls and social events, as well as partaking in community work, like the annual Driftaduck Charity Drift Dive and conservation work such as clean up dives.

Not an experienced diver? Not a problem, said Nudes Secretary Sarah Blinnikka. “NUDES is open to anybody who has a love for the ocean,” she said.

“Our members range from people looking to take the first steps to becoming a diver and doing their Open Water course, to rescue divers, instructors, and technical divers.”

Sarah also said that no matter your experience level, you’ll always able to find someone to dive with, and club

With a $115 SCUBA membership, students can hire one of The Society’s 20 SCUBA sets for a week, for free. This makes NUDES one of the easiest and most affordable ways of getting into diving, according to Sarah.

“Our members range from people looking to take the first steps to becoming a diver and doing their Open Water course, to rescue divers, instructors, and technical divers.”

For more information, check out the NUDES Facebook page and group, or stop by their gear store located at the back of The Forum. To sign up, memberships are available at nudes.org.au.

Designed by Kathleen Maier

Yak Magazine // June 2016

oh, the places you should go Georgia Mueck looks at holiday destinations that are of interest and might be relevant to your degree.

Travelling the world in the years after high school can be one of the most exciting, fulfilling, and memorable experiences in a person’s life. Unfortunately, for students, it can seem that there is a tug-of-war between taking the time to traverse the globe and the time it takes to get a degree. It can feel like one requires sacrificing the other, at least, for some period of time. However, travelling can be just as relevant to your education as pouring over library books and studying at the Student Hub. Touring other countries isn’t just about partying on foreign soil. Amazingly enough, you can actually learn, you know, knowledge and stuff while running amok overseas. A resourceful traveller will have their Lonely Planet guide handy wherever they go, but for those that need convincing, here are a few choice destinations that could teach you a thing or two.

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Bachelor of Arts, English Major Destination: England (duh)

Bachelor of Science Destination: The City of Arts & Sciences, Spain

If you’re an English Major passionate about literature, then you should visit the home of some of the English language’s finest craftspeople. It’s also the birthplace of the English language and all that.

The City of Arts and Sciences in Spain is so incredible it should be the number one destination for any globe-trotting science lover.

An attraction that every literature lover should visit includes the childhood home of England’s most famous playwright, William Shakespeare. Located in the West Midlands, in the medieval town of Stratford-upon-Avon, the house is open to visitors and has been restored to depict life in the Tudor era.

You should also go see the Jane Austen Centre and the Pump Room at Bath. The Georgian town of Bath features in Austen’s novels Persuasion and Northanger Abbey. The town holds an annual Jane Austen Festival held in September with themed events, a fair, and workshops.

The Harry Potter Museum in London is a must see for every Harry Potter fan, young, old, wizard, and muggle alike. The museum brings to life the magical world of J.K. Rowling’s books with studio tours, Golden Snitch hunts, broomstick riding, and authentic food and drink from the Harry Potter universe.

Located in Valencia, Spain, The City is a massive complex that is made up of several different buildings, dedicated to scientific exhibitions and entertainment.

Science students could visit the Oceanogràfic, an open air aquarium that plays home to over 500 different species of aquatic life. After that, they can head to the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum, an interactive science museum that is constructed to look like the skeleton of a whale.

“Touring other countries isn’t just about partying on foreign soil. Amazingly enough, you can actually learn, you know, knowledge and stuff while running amok overseas.”

The museum hosts a number of exhibitions including the Chromosome Forest, and the Marvel Superheroes exhibitions. When that’s all said and done, why not take a walk through the L’Umbracle, a sprawling, open-access garden that contains a variety of indigenous plants from Valencia.

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Bachelor of Music Destination: ‘Murica road trip

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil/Environmental) Destination: Beijing

As long as you make sure to avoid Donald Trump rallies, a music-minded road trip across the United States would be an epic holiday for any up-and-coming musician. There’s too many iconic spots to name all at once, but here’s a few choices.

China is on the up and up and up and up, and nowhere is this more evident than in their feats of engineering.

But what do you expect from a nation that began building the longest man-made structure in the world in 500BC?

Sunny Los Angeles, California is host to world-class music and entertainment venues such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Palladium. Free concerts and live shows play often along the Santa Monica Pier and Sunset Strip, and after producing artists like Jim Morrison and Dr Dre, it’s no wonder LA is a mecca for musicians everywhere.

The Great Wall of China is one of the most well known Heritage Sites in the world. The 21,196km structure is made up from multiple fortifications built throughout various dynasties since the seventh century (BC). The Great Wall is a must see for engineering students wishing to appreciate the history of their industry.

“As long as you make sure to avoid Trump rallies, a music-minded road trip across the United States would be an epic holiday for any up-and-coming musician.”

Built for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, the National Stadium was the product of a collaboration of great minds. A marvel of structural engineering, the Bird’s Nest, as it is known, can hold up to 91,000 people and will play host to the 2020 Winter Olympics.

New Orleans, Louisiana is the smooth and balmy birthplace of American jazz and swamp blues. Come for the Jazz Festival, stay for the French Quarter’s street music, the mournful tunes from funeral processions, and the cacophony of noise during Mardi Gras.

And finally, let’s not forget Nashville, Tennessee, home to a honky-tonk country music scene that’s so popular it’s even been dramatized with its own TV show, Nashville. Renowned worldwide for its live music, Nashville should be a definite stop for any travelling muso.

The Beijing-Shanghai Highspeed Rail is another impressive example of China’s flourishing engineering industry. The rail was built in just three years, but despite this short amount of time, it is the longest highspeed line ever constructed in a single period. The line stretches over 1,318km and can reach speeds of up to 380km per hour.

To find our more about all of these exciting places and events, you can use the following links to get started.

• janeausten.org/ • shakespeare.org.uk/home • wbstudiotour.co.uk/ • travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/beijing • cac.es/en/home • travel.nationalgeographic.com.au/travel/road-trips/ blues-highway-road-trip/

Designed by Laura Unicomb

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Yak Magazine // June 2016

travel scams and how to avoid them Wondering how to hang onto your valuables when travelling? Sarah James has some solutions.

Sometimes, saving for that dream holiday just doesn’t quite reach your final budget, and then, that budget can be blown entirely. How can you get a bit of extra spending money when you’re in the middle of a vacation if the exchange rates are bad? Turns out you don’t have to be all that savvy to scam tourists. How is this possible?

Here are some of the most common scams if you ever find yourself at a tourist hotspot.

DISCLAIMER: Yak does not endorse scamming. These are the things travellers should be cautious of.

‘Friendship’ Bracelets

You’ve been offered an authentic friendship bracelet by a local. That’s so kind. You’ve even been handed a sprig of rosemary for good luck. Do not be fooled! They are not your friend. The person’s kindness will cease as soon as you take the bracelet, demanding money for it. If the guilt trip doesn’t work, the local may cause a scene. Best to pay up or don’t take the item in the first place.

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Fake Monks

Tourists can expect lots of impersonators in Hollywood.

However, in South East Asia, monk impersonators are not in short supply. They seem like the ‘real deal’ and will approach you asking for donations for a charity organisation. However, more than often, that charity is their wallet. I know it seems like a good idea to be charitable, but just check if they’re legitimate first.

Jet Skis

Common in Thailand, and parts of South America, this is very serious and definitely one to watch out for. Upon returning the jet skis to a Jet Ski operator, tourists have been accused (often falsely) of damaging them, and are ordered to pay an extortionate repair fee. To avoid falling victim, take some photos of the jet skis before hiring them and give them a thorough inspection.

General Advice

As dorky as it is, a money belt (AKA bum bag) is a good place to store valuables on the go. They prove harder for thieves to access.

Deaf Children and Fake Petitions

Taking advantage of a person’s kindness is apparently highly profitable. Who can say no to a deaf child? Well, you can, and you should learn how to before travelling.

Typically in tourist hotspots, some locals may approach you with a petition. And some of the logos on the top of the form might even be real charities. What should immediately tip you off is a petition from a foreign country being printed in English. Best to avoid eye contact like you might do with any charities at shopping centres back home.

Designed by Jackie Brock

Also, don’t be afraid to be skeptical, because if it’s too good to be true, chances are it is. Thieves will go out of their way to fool you, so remember to always be aware of surroundings.

For any other travel advice, UON students may visit STA Travel inside the Shortland Building on Callaghan campus.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also includes information on traveller safety at dfat.gov.au

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Top Tips to Tranquilise Transport Troubles Nick Smit discovers how the dreaded commute can become a walk in the park.

Whether it’s spending 40 minutes trying to find a park, or what feels like the same amount of time trying to cross the road, it’s safe to say we’ve all had our fair share of transport troubles.

It’s true that travelling to, from, and around the University has always been a bit of a doozy, and even once you’re inside, the desperate scramble for car spots can unleash newfound creativity as students attempt to redefine the term ‘parking space’.

“For those of us who have had the extreme displeasure of an 8am class, the one silver lining is skipping out on the vehicular equivalent of The Hunger Games.”

Indeed, the issues facing UON commuters are many, varied, and well worth discussing. But it needn’t all be doom, gloom, and awkwardly entering lectures 15 minutes late. With a few thoughtful strategies, you’ll be getting to class on time without needing to become the Jackson Pollock of parking during the student ‘rush hour’ from 8am.

One might think to simply build more car parks, but with Callaghan Campus already sporting well over 5000 car spaces, alternative transport advocates like UON Environmental Officer, Megan Sharkey, said that this solution is already stretched to its limits. “17 per cent of the usable land on campus is already a car park,” Mrs Sharkey said.

But for those of us who have had the extreme displeasure of an 8am class, the one silver lining is skipping out on the vehicular equivalent of The Hunger Games. While it may seem like a disillusioning prospect to be at uni before you might usually wake up, aiming for 8am even when you don’t have a class, will give you time to find a good spot and maybe even catch a bite to eat while you watch everyone else lose their minds.

While factors like the gap in time between the cutting of the heavy rail line and the establishment of light rail have made it so that some have little choice other than drive, it’s also possible that a lot of students haven’t considered all of their options.

A common complaint with public transport, or walking and cycling, is the loss of carrying capacity, but this might be less of an issue than people think. “I ask people to have a look at what they really need on a daily basis,” Mrs Sharkey said. “And when I do that, most come back saying that they carry a lot less than they think they do.”

This opens the door for a lot of different forms of transport. Walking, or even driving to your local train station means that rather than staring in frustration at traffic, you can catch up on that reading that we all know you haven’t done yet. Once you’ve arrived, UON Security Services runs a free shuttle in a circuit around key entry points and can even be called on-demand after hours.

Additionally, a network of around 120 cameras focusing on public transport entrances has been installed around the uni to keep travellers safe. “Our foremost priority to travel is student safety,” Security Systems Coordinator, Colin Stevens, said.

However, perhaps the biggest problem facing the most local commuters is the infrastructure of Newcastle itself.

Many of those who might otherwise be able to walk or cycle directly to uni have hit a wall, namely a wall of cars.

Mrs Sharkey said supporting infrastructure changes will be one of the most important aspects of promoting safe walking and cycling that will help us transition away from congestive levels of cars.

For the time being, however, a large amount of tools and resources are readily available online to commuters as part of the Ride to Uni campaign and Safe Cycle Network detailing things such as safe cycling routes throughout Newcastle. Our own Callaghan campus even features the Bike Hubs where you can borrow a bicycle for a $50 or $100 deposit, so using one is essentially free.

So perhaps our outlook isn’t as bleak as it first appears.

Certainly, ‘on yer’ bike’ is not going to be a solution for everyone, but with a mixture of modes and a little bit of forethought, it’s likely that we can make the commute to uni a little bit more bearable for all of us.

Designed by Kathleen Maier

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Yak Magazine // June 2016

Top ten travel apps

Kait Fenwick takes a look at the top ten ‘must have’ travel apps you need for your next adventure.

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Never again will you lose your bearings, overpay for accommodation or miss out on unique experiences, because this list showcases the must have travel apps that everyone from beginners to well-seasoned travellers need.

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Couchsurfing

Localeur

Price: Free

Price: Free

Geared to those travelling on a shoestring, Couchsurfing allows travellers to connect with hosts around the world willing to forgo a vacant couch or spare bed. Given the danger associated with entering a stranger’s home, the app houses a vouching system whereby you can view the experiences of those who stayed in a location before you.

Happy Cow

Vegetarian and vegan travellers rejoice, Happy Cow allows you to create a reference folder of must visit restaurants. It also allows users to pinpoint their current location in order to find the closest veg-friendly eateries. Language barriers can often make dining out with specific requirements tricky, but this app will point you in the right direction.

Price: $5.99

Hostelworld

One of the most used applications for backpackers, Hostelworld allows you to compare hostel and budget accommodation listings around the world. The app is super user-friendly and allows you to book a place to stay, directly from the app itself. The user-generated reviews are often brutal meaning that, upon arrival, you are unlikely to encounter any unexpected critters.

Price: Free

Companion

Particularly useful for solo travellers, Companion allows users to create alerts to local authorities in the event they feel threatened or unsafe. By placing the contact number of your accommodation into the app, a traveller also has the option of staying in touch with a ‘base’ even when venturing out solo.

Price: Free

Pack Point

Even the most novice packer will be transformed into a packing pro with Pack Point. The app allows travellers to create virtual lists for their upcoming adventures. It also allows for the organisation of items into categories, i.e. toiletries and day/night wear, which minimises the chance of forgetting items. This is particularly helpful for those travelling to remote destinations where forgotten items may be less accessible.

Localeur provides travellers with all the insider tips from the local scene of their selected destination.

An essential download if you want to avoid looking like a total tourist. The app works on the notion that printed travel guides go out of date from the moment they are published, whereas sites like Localeur are constantly being updated.

Pinterest

Pinterest is a social media platform, however, a large percentage of users utilise the app to collate ideas for their next trip. Pinterest is full of fantastic, linked articles of things to do and eat abroad as well as packing tips.

Price: Free

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor is a user-generated platform that features restaurant and accommodation reviews. Potentially could be considered the more mature older sister of Hostelworld, and the reviews are often slightly more diplomatic. Beyond eateries and places to stay, TripAdvisor also rates attractions, which is handy when time-poor.

Price: Free

Airbnb

While Localuer gives users hints in regards to ‘behaving like a local’, Airbnb provides the base whereby you can immerse yourself within local culture. For long-term backpackers, Airbnb acts as an alternate from your regular hostel and the app allows you to search price points that suit your budget.

Price: Free

Skyscanner

Skyscanner allows travellers to browse the most affordable flights, which is handy given that the majority of backpackers cite flights as their largest expense. Beyond flights themselves, Skyscanner can also assist with car hire, accommodation and hotel transfers.

Price: Free

Price: Free with in-app purchases Designed by Jackie Brock

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Yak Magazine // June 2016

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Is Social Media Heightening Your FOMO? Jack Moran investigates whether or not our social media habits are having more negative effects on us than we may realise.

If seeing your friends travel exploits plastered all over Instagram and Facebook makes you feel like you’re wasting your time sitting at home doing nothing, chances are you might have a bad case of FOMO. FOMO – the fear of missing out – is the feeling of anxiety that some may feel when they think they aren’t having the same kinds of fulfilling experiences as their friends.

Going beyond simple envy, FOMO is the pervasive worry that your own lifestyle is not as rewarding or enjoyable as someone else’s.

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According to the results of a 2015 survey conducted by the Australian Psychological Society (APS), one in four adults who are heavy users of social media, experience FOMO. The APS survey also found that one in four adults consider themselves heavy social media users, meaning they interact with social media at least five times a day, and that six per cent consider themselves to be constantly connected.

“FOMO is the pervasive worry that your own lifestyle is not as rewarding or enjoyable as someone else’s.”

So how do we fix it? How do we save ourselves from the curse of our own dreaded FOMO? The most logical thing to do would be to limit our social media usage. If we’re using social media as much as the APS survey results suggests we are, then cutting back could help us to curb our FOMO.

However, heavy social media usage can be positive for users. APS psychologist, Andrew Fuller, said in an online 2015 SBS News article titled, ‘FOMO: Heavy social media use leading to depression among teens’, that some benefits include stronger relationships and more effective goal setting. Yet, in an online 2015 ABC News article, ‘#FOMO leading to higher levels of depression, anxiety for heavy social media users’, Flinders University senior social work lecturer, Dr Mubarak Rahamathulla, said that there is a strong link between heavy social media usage and higher levels of stress and depression.

While the more drastic approach would be to uninstall social media apps from our phones and shutdown our accounts, the more manageable option may be to stop relying on our feeds to alleviate boredom during the day, and instead, do something else like reading a book or drawing when we find ourselves waiting with nothing to do.

The link between FOMO, substantial use of social media and increased feelings of stress and depression, is particularly worrying for university students who spend so much of their time online. Constantly worrying about what others might be doing, and how their lives stack up with our own, can lead us to feel disillusioned and dissatisfied with our own lifestyles and experiences.

If you are experiencing pervasive feelings of anxiety, stress, or depression and wish to talk to someone about it, UONs free Counselling Service can be accessed in person at Callaghan, Ourimbah and Port Macquarie campuses.

The Service also offers online sessions through Skype and Blackboard and has many readable resources at uonblogs.newcastle.edu.au/onlinecounselling.

Designed by Emily Cranidge

If we’re not constantly seeing other’s accomplishments so often, we might not feel the need to endlessly compare our activities with those of our friends.

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Yak Magazine // June 2016

health // Managing Stress: A Word From Your Peers Georgia Mueck looks closer to home for how to de-stress during this exam period.

It’s exam time, folks. The books are out, the caffeine is flowing, and the procrastination is strong. It doesn’t matter if the studying started weeks ago, days ago, or hasn’t actually started yet, the stress of the exam period will find us all in the end.

“Don’t feel guilty for not being on task 100 per cent of the time - even if you do start something due tomorrow! The brain isn’t a reliable machine, especially if you work it hard.

You have to be kind to it so you can get through this!”

Unfortunately, not everyone can run away from it all, though most people would probably like to. So how does one escape from the ever growing anxiety and worry that keeps piling up?

Here are what some UON students had to say about what they do to when it all gets too much.

It’s the end of term and you’re starting to feel stressed out. What do you do to escape the grind and chill out?

“Procrasti-bake! Then, because I probably feel ill from all the batter, I do a massive work out, or walk my pup by the ocean. The ocean always helps me to return to calm.” - Matilda (Bachelor of Laws).

“Cup of tea, go to the dog park, watch trashy TV shows.”

- Pat (Bachelor of Laws).

Do you prefer to get away physically or mentally from stressful environments?

“When my life is super busy and overwhelming, I want to leave it all behind and pretend it doesn’t exist. It gives me a chance to ‘recalibrate’, so I can then get on with what I need to. It’s a chance to look at all aspects of life, whether it be work, study, relationships, or from a more objective stance, as you’re more removed from it all, and therefore look at it from a distance. I like to go into the country and visit family, and have no phone reception, and just be.” - Lucinda (Bachelor of Arts).

“Both. I like when I’m not able to access my work (both physically and mentally) because it means I can actually switch off and not have to think about it.”

- Lachie (Master of Teaching).

So what advice would you give others about how to relieve some of that uni-induced stress?

“Don’t feel guilty for not being on task 100 per cent of the time, even if you do start something due tomorrow!

The brain isn’t a reliable machine, especially if you work it hard. You have to be kind to it, so you can get through it!” - Emma (Bachelor of Science, Honours).

“If you don’t have a physical diary, please get one. It’s essential to stay organised and on top of things, which will make you stress less. For when you can’t avoid the stress, turn off your phone, pull out your yoga mat or even a cushion to sit on, and practice some mindful breathing, meditation or yoga. Also, celebrate small achievements!”

- Brooke (Bachelor of Communication).

“Unfortunately, not everyone can just sail away, sail away, sail away from this time as Enya would have us do, though most people would probably like to.”

Well there you have it, tried and tested methods and advice from UON students.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, there are people and places you can go to for help. UON offers counselling for all students.

There is an online counselling service available that has Skype or Blackboard Instant Messenger sessions.

You can call the service on 49215801 (Callaghan), 43484060 (Ourimbah), 65816200 (Port Macquarie), or 82626400 (Sydney).

More details can be found at uonblogs.newcastle.edu.au/ onlinecounselling/contact-us

Designed by Kathleen Maier

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Yak Magazine // June 2016

to Airbnb or Not To Airbnb?

That is the question Bridie O’Shea wonders when it comes to the popular accommodation site.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash // Hernan Lucio

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Long gone are the days of booking a holiday through a travel agent. Welcome to the online phenomenon of person-to-person lodging that is Airbnb; a service that cuts out the middle man and puts travellers in touch with locals renting out available spaces, from spare mattresses, apartments and even a five-star treehouse (yes, you read that correctly).

Born in 2008 in San Francisco, Airbnb has jumped from strength to strength with over 190 countries and 60 million guests using the service. That amount of people can’t be wrong, right?

And while Airbnb puts structures in place to protect both hosts (one million AUD Host Guarantee for eligible damages, but it is noted that this doesn’t replace home or renters insurance) and guests (the Guest Refund Policy allows for refunds if the host fails to provide reasonable access to the booked listing, the booked listing is misrepresented, or if the listing is unsafe or there is an animal that wasn’t disclosed prior to the booking), there are still questions as to how safe and secure the service is.

CEO of Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA), Carol Giuseppe, said that TAA is concerned about the amount

of providers who are non-residential hosts with multiple listings and who are not abiding by current regulations that apply to the industry.

“Things like disability access, fire and safety, public liability, food and safety standards, emergency lighting exit signs, fire safety measures; none of that is covered.”

“Things like disability access, fire and safety, public liability, food and safety standards, emergency lighting exit signs, fire safety measures; none of that is covered,” Giuseppe told 3AW 693 News Talk. She said that the biggest issue is about safety and the extent to which liability insurance covers it.

Spokesperson from Travel Insurance Direct, Kristen Hyde, said in an article, ‘Airbnb: is it covered in your travel insurance?’ that it’s important to do your research before you book with a host.

Read the reviews and ask questions, there’s nothing worse than thinking you’ve booked a Parisian apartment with a glorious view of the Eiffel Tower from your bedroom window, to turn up to a dump that has a

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Photo courtesy of Unsplash // Keven Fernandez

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cockroach problem and questionable plumbing facilities Unfortunately, deciding that your accommodation isn’t up to scratch isn’t covered by travel insurance. Never has there been a better use for Google Maps Street View!

However, ultimately, it’s the user experience that is the real test. UON Communication student, Hayley McQuillan, used Airbnb when she and three of her friends booked an eight-night stay in an apartment in Los Angeles, just off Hollywood Boulevard. What was meant to be a dream holiday turned into something quite different.

“Unfortunately, deciding that your accommodation isn’t up to scratch isn’t covered by travel insurance.

Never has there been a better use for Google Maps Street View!”

When driving from Yosemite to LA, Hayley decided to give the owner a call to double check the address and key pick up, when she was met with responses of “Please do not talk to anyone about renting”, “Please, if anyone asks, you are visiting Luis the owner” and, “Do not chit-chat with the property manager or show anyone details about your stay”.

Two days into the stay they found a three-day eviction notice on their door. “We then had to call the owner, who was super hard to get onto, and tell him about the situation,” Hayley said. “Thankfully he sorted it, but he wasn’t friendly to deal with and we felt like we were doing something wrong.” However, this hasn’t stopped Hayley from using Airbnb again. “I also had a really lovely stay in Richmond, Melbourne at this stunning loft apartment,” Hayley said.

“The lady left chocolates for us and gave us so many places to see. She was always contactable and then even let us leave our car for longer.”

So to Airbnb or not to Airbnb? That is the question. To that, we follow the expert’s stance, do your research and don’t be scared to asked questions about your accommodation. With claims that over 40 million guests have had a positive experience using Airbnb, it’s hard to argue with those numbers.

Designed by Jackie Brock

Yak Magazine // June 2016

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Yak Magazine // June 2016

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Designed by: Lake Tekapo, New Zealand // Breanna Yates

Yak Magazine // June 2016

give me a break Chris Daniel explores the best excuses to get away for a cheap and easy weekend.

Finally, it’s the weekend. You decide to take a break from your assignments, let your wings out, and fly. However, you realise there are a couple of problems. First of all, you’re a uni student with hardly any funds to your name, hence the reason you have been living off noodle soup all semester. You also hate travelling long distances need to be back within a couple of days. Your organizational skills defeat you. But guess what? You are not just limited to overly expensive holidays.

For both day dwellers and night owls, there are plenty of day trips and cheap weekend getaways to suit budget and distance limitations, without the extensive organisation. Depending on your budget, you can alternate between locations with ease. Here are the best itineraries to accustom your short-term getaways.

Food, Wine and Beer 26

Arguably the best excuse for day drinking, the Hunter Valley Vineyards has countless breweries and wine distilleries within walking distance of each other. Despite being situated in the pricier side of the Hunter, it is an escape from the hassles of inner city life. Not only are beer and wine covered, Maitland and Cessnock are home to some of the most sought after restaurants with relatively cheap accommodation in the vicinity.

Haunted Histories

A list of locations hide the grim history of Australia’s past and can be unearthed in the cover of darkness.

The Quarantine Station is located in the heart of Manly, and with recent renovations, now provides visitors with accommodation at an affordable price. Ghost tours run all weekend, giving insight into the horrible history of Australian disease control, so why not stay at one of Australia’s most haunted sites? Although Sydney remains standing as one of Australia’s most haunted cities, Maitland is also acclaimed for its ghostly past.

Morpeth and Maitland Gaol have a range of ghost tours running throughout the week, including self-guided and extreme ghost hunting tours.

Inescapable Views

A short drive out of Newcastle, you can find the best location for fishing and camping. Nelson Bay is a small, yet tranquil place, with unlimited coastal and bush walks. Accommodation is somewhat limited, so this destination is best suited for day trips.

Designed by Kathleen Maier

Photography // Breanna Yates

Endless Countryside

If you are seeking an escape from the constant rush, Barrington Tops National Park is one of the few places that will do just that. Situated two hours north of Newcastle, Barrington is home to world heritage rainforests and an infinite amount of waterfalls.

above and beyond

For a lengthier getaway, on a less restricted budget, there is a list of locations on offer. If you wish to travel north, Byron Bay is the best option for food and beaches, whereas Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie are a less populated option for coastal exploration. If neither inner city nor coastal getaways appeal to you, you can travel inland to one of Australia’s most iconic villages, the Blue Mountains. Home to some of the nation’s best landmarks and dense landscapes, the Blue Mountains is also the best option for Indigenous art and music.

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Yak Magazine // June 2016

The Catch-22 of Bali’s Tourism Georgia Mueck examines how one of Australia’s favourite holiday destinations is being impacted by tourism.

Places like Bali are go-to holiday destinations for a majority of Australians. Every year, families, friends, and lone back-packers jet off to these tropical islands for relaxation and, in the case of many students and young people, relaxed alcohol laws. The draw to these countries is simple: location, location, location.

Australia is pretty darn big and pretty darn isolated. It takes a while to get anywhere domestically, let alone to reach another country located on the other side of the world. So it’s understandable why thousands of Australian tourists flock to the beautiful Indonesian islands throughout the year. Unfortunately, it has recently come to light that these idyllic destinations may be suffering as a result of the increase in tourism.

In a 2012 interview with Le Monde, leader of the For BALI Alliance, Wayan Suardana, said that mass tourism is causing a problem for Bali. According to Le Monde, tourism had more than doubled in the years between 2001 and 2012, and would only continue to grow. And, indeed, it has.

Statistics taken by the Bali Government Tourism Office show that in 2015 alone, Bali hard more than four million foreign tourists enter the country. That means there are nearly the same amount of tourists entering per year as there are citizens living in it (as of 2014, Bali had a population of 4.225 million).

Suardana claimed in his interview that this kind of mass tourism could put a heavy strain on the country, and could even cause a “drinkable water crisis”. This is due to the fact that the tourism industry in Bali is responsible for up to 65 per cent of the country’s water usage. A five-star hotel room can use up to four thousand litres of water per day, but even that statistic pales in comparison to the massive three million litres per day that is used by the country’s golf courses.

Suardana’s prediction of a water crisis seems to have come to fruition. Bali’s natural fresh water aquifers are at record lows, with the supplies of fresh water that the island relies on, down to 20 per cent. At this rate of decline, if nothing is done to rectify the problem, the Indonesian Development of Education and Permaculture (IDEP) Foundation states that Bali could be confronted with an ecological crisis by 2020.

“It’s understandable why thousands of Australian tourists flock to the beautiful Indonesian islands throughout the year. Unfortunately, it has recently come to light that these idyllic destinations may be suffering as a result of the increase in tourism.”

It doesn’t end there however. Heavy land clearing for luxury hotels and villas have been underway for many years, with around 20 per cent of Bali’s 130,000 hectares of forest being “critically damaged” or “empty”, according to Jeff and Belinda Lewis in their book, Bali’s Silent Crisis.

These factors, alongside the large amounts of litter and land pollution, threaten to turn the island paradise of Bali into a sterile, inhospitable landscape.

The flip side of this argument, however, is that the very tourism causing these problems is also the country’s biggest and most profitable industry. As reported online by the Central Bureau of Statistics of Bali Province, tourism alone produces 30 per cent of Bali’s gross domestic product.

For tourists, travelling responsibly and sustainably, is one way to make an individual effort to combat the aforementioned issues. If Australians want to continue to enjoy the wonders of all that Bali, and other such destinations have to offer, we must make an effort to respect their environments as much as possible, so that future generations may enjoy them as well.

Designed by Emily Cranidge

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Yak Magazine // June 2016

getting active with uon UON is getting active, and there’s no doubt about it, writes Gunnaina Kohli.

When new Bike Hubs popped up on Callaghan campus, everyone was talking about it. The active-fever had definitely hit UON hard.

Active Travel at UON is the push to walk, cycle or use public transport to get to the University, rather than relying on your car and paying for parking (or not, and then incur a massive fine that will force you into a month of eating carrots and Mi Goreng to save enough for rent). The Director of UON Active Travel, Megan Sharkey, said if 10 per cent of students rode to uni, it might free up about 600 car parking spaces and ease traffic. “Plus, the energy you use can boost your endorphins, release stress and limit your impact on the Earth,” Mrs Sharkey said.

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Getting into Active Travel is simple. First of all, you can grab a cheap, fully serviced second-hand bike from the friendly volunteers at the Bike Hub East’s bike library (through NuBUG), or you can join Champions4Change and receive iLEAD points while you’re at it. Or simply use those two lower limbs hanging from your gluteus maximus to walk or catch a bus. “Look out for the $50 bike deals too happening twice this year,” Mrs Sharkey said. This will get you a bike, helmet and a lock. Win!

“With its health, financial and environmental benefits, there is no question about why you shouldn’t ditch your car right now and get active.”

Mrs Sharkey said her ‘passion project’, Cycle Safe Network, has started in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie and could dramatically benefit the University through its planned 200km of “connected, family safe, easy, world class” walking and cycling pathways. The UON website provides directions and maps of these tracks from various neighbouring suburbs including Adamstown, Wallsend and Glendale.

Practical skills such as journey planning, bike maintenance and safe cycle skills can also be learned through the free workshops run by NuBUG (only a two dollar membership!), while Bike Love Corral volunteers provide bike hire, repairs and checks every third Wednesday of the Designed by Jackie Brock

month. The Forum’s Ready2Ride program “will get you fit and confident to ride on the roads,” Mrs Sharkey said. And the “free stuff” given out by Active Travel at UON is the sure-fire way to get students pumped.

Callaghan campus boasts two Bike Hubs; East and West, so your bike will never be too far away and is in safe hands. Remember, the bike hubs also require your UON student ID to enter and they have CCTV cameras operating outside at all times, with secure bike storage and lockers for cycling equipment. “Alternatively, you can park your bike in the external bike racks using your bike lock, from only $2 at Bike Love Corral,” Mrs Sharkey said.

I know what you’re all thinking: after a bike ride, it’s hard not to perspire. NuBUG isn’t too keen on the reek of sweat either, so they’ve provided us with some awesome end-of-trip facilities in both Hubs. This includes free showers, even if it’s just an excuse to use the hot water system. Riding or walking to uni should no longer be a question, but an action.

When it comes to Active Travel, safety is paramount.

Be sure to keep safe by always wearing your helmet and visibility jacket in the dark, when cycling, and make sure to keep hydrated. Of course, plan your route and carpool or catch public transport when travelling late at night. Riding in a group is a safe option and it’s easy to get involved.

There is also the chance to win some great prizes as you become a more active traveller, and the volunteers and growing community provide remarkable support. Make some friends as you start your own Bike Bus, or travel solo and enjoy nature on your trip to class.

With its health, financial and environmental benefits, there is no question about why you shouldn’t ditch your car right now and get active.

To find out more about Active Travel, visit: newcastle.edu.au/current-students/campus-environment/ transport-and-parking/active-travel.

Yak Magazine // June 2016

The Truth Behind ‘Dangerous’ Cities Michaela Wagland explores the stigma surrounding ‘dangerous’ places in the world.

There are places in the world where one may want to reconsider venturing. Countries like Honduras or Venezuela, that are home to the cities which were the top two on the Business Insider’s 2016 list for ‘Most Violent Cities in the World’. They are two examples of places that are considered unsafe by the Australian government. According to Smartraveller. gov.au, both cities have significant homicide rates, drug related crime, illegal firearms trafficking and high rates of violence.

In truth, there will always be potential dangers while travelling, no matter where we go. The important thing to do is to establish what ‘dangerous’ really means in certain places. For example, Smartraveller lists countries that we should reconsider your need to travel to, or they may advise not to travel to some countries at all. As an official Australian Government website, it can be very useful (and reliable) when weighing up travel destinations.

However, there are other places in the world that can be unfairly labelled ‘dangerous’ or ‘unsafe’. Like any travel adventure you embark upon, you should always have safety measures in place. This doesn’t necessarily mean that where you are travelling is unsafe; it ensures that you are safe.

When we travel, we don’t simply travel to a city or a country. We can travel through cultures that vary completely to our own and encounter languages that often present barriers. Remaining cautious and actively following safety measures allows us to limit the stress that these aspects can create; it doesn’t always mean the place is risky.

“Like any travel adventure you embark upon, you should always have safety measures in place.”

So why do these negative stereotypes exist? Did a traveller have a bad experience and decide to share it as far and wide as they could? Or is there a belief that other cities or countries are so different from our own that there must be some danger? Whatever the cause may be, negative stereotypes and misunderstood stigmas concerning places around the world, can have the potential to persuade any traveller. It can simply come down to what we’ve heard.

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Of course there is always a chance that something potentially life threatening could occur at any time, in any place. The Paris Attacks and the Lindt Café siege in Sydney shocked people to the core. For a moment, we all felt unsafe in our own homes. But that is not always what creates this stigma around ‘dangerous’ places. Bad people can’t stop the world’s love for these incredible cities and the collective will to travel there.

That’s why it’s imperative to do your research. Look up where you plan to travel and get some travel tips. Make sure there is not a substantial amount of unsafe activity in the country you are considering. The ‘dangerous’ label could be the result of extraordinary circumstances, so don’t always believe what you hear.

Only your personal experiences can shape your perceptions of what (or where) is ‘dangerous’, so don’t be afraid to travel and find out for yourself.

For safe travel advice, you can have a consultation with the UON Global Office at Callaghan on Wednesdays and Fridays, or Student Services at Ourimbah on Thursdays.

Designed by Breanna Yates

Yak Magazine // June 2016

ARTS // The Art of Travel Writing Michaela Wagland thinks there is more to travel writing than meets the eye.

It is no secret that many of us share the innate desire to experience the world. There is something about travel that we yearn for. It could be the independence, the excitement, or the opportunity for change. Whatever your desires may be, there is nothing quite like travel.

It’s important to realise, however, that travel writing is not simply a recount. Dr Sala said that this writing is extremely descriptive and often quite psychological. “It’s not just saying ‘I went here’. It’s a way of making that journey valuable to the reader.”

It is also truly wonderful when a traveller has the unique ability to put their experiences on paper so-to-speak.

Obviously it’s not the same as gaining those experiences for yourself, but it allows you to taste the endless possibilities of an overseas adventure.

How is this achieved? Dr Sala said that it’s imperative to do your research. It’s vital to remain ethical in how you describe things, make sure that you don’t make certain judgments on places, and do everything you can to understand the context of your writing. “That is how you get the full picture,” he said.

Yet, the art of travel writing is so much more than just describing what you have seen.

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Lecturer for Creative Writing at UON, Dr Michael Sala, said that travel writing is within the genre of creative non-fiction. This particular genre is committed to non-fiction writing being read like fiction. It allows the reader to be enchanted by the ‘essence’ of a fantasy.

“Travel writing is, at its best, about finding themes that people can relate to and shaping your experiences around those themes.”

There is a certain beauty in this, being able to write stories in such a way that your readers are enthralled by the realisation that the words are truth. With the correct combination of ideas and techniques, the writing allows the imagination to run wild. Travel writing is a unique way to showcase this and, therefore, it’s extremely popular.

Dr Sala said this is because the writing fulfills various things within different individuals.

“People like to go places that are going to mean something to them. And sometimes, when we go places and it doesn’t mean something, it can be disappointing,” Dr Sala said.

“But a travel writer, if they go somewhere and start writing about it, there is going to be some kind of meaning for you. It’s a way of travelling and engaging with the satisfaction of a place through someone else’s mind.”

Designed by Emily Cranidge

“It’s not just saying ‘I went here’. It is a way of making that journey valuable to the reader.”

“Like most great creative non-fiction, there needs to be a level of self-awareness for the writer, as the reader is experiencing whatever it is that you are describing.”

If you think that you would enjoy learning more about how to be a good travel writer, Dr Sala said having an understanding of creative non-fiction is fundamental.

There’s no need to worry though, the University offers a course called Creative Non-fiction, where travel writing is covered. Dr Sala is its Course Cocoordinator, and the course explores the underpinnings of travel writing and equips you with the fundamental skills to be able to do it yourself.

“What all creative non-fiction has in common is the idea that you are taking this material from your life or from the public domain. You are learning how to shape it by using fictional techniques,” Dr Sala said.

“You learn how to put the reader into these places and to make them experience the same things that you did by firing up their imagination.”

Travel writing has never seemed so good.

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Yak Magazine // June 2016

surviving a real winter Feeling brave enough to face sub-zero temperatures? Nadene Budden is here to save you from potential hypothermia.

“Look up exactly what you could get yourself into, before you get stuck in a place you might hate.”

Europe in all its vastness is one of the greatest travel destinations. On any given day, it’s almost certain someone is clogging up Instagram with their pictures from #Eurotrip. Although travel season is usually during our winter and their summer, some opportunistic travellers might just decide to brave the colder months, and the possible sub-zero temperatures, for a cheaper holiday. If you’re one of these people, here are some tips on surviving the winter chill below eight degrees Celsius.

Do your research

It’s common sense, right? Go super in depth. Check what the weather was like last winter, and if there are only weeks before the trip, catch the forecast for when the plane touches done. Accuweather.com has multiple ways to watch the weather, including a calendar view with the highs and lows for every day, for the next few months.

Get the insider scoop

If you happen to know someone who grew up in the colder regions of the globe, now’s the time to ask them questions. Not only can they give tips for where to visit, but they will know exactly how to handle snowy weather.

Don’t know anyone? The Internet is now your best friend.

Try looking for blogs or YouTube channels that are run by people from your desired destination. A good start is searching terms like ‘winter look book’ into the search bar of YouTube to gauge just how many jumpers will be needed underneath the coat you take.

If you’re more acclimatised to the almost endless summer weather of Australia, find a friend who has gone overseas, and grab as much information from them as possible.

These people will know from experience what it’s like jumping from 40 degrees to minus two degrees Celsius.

Discover the art of layering

Packing and wearing multiple thin layers will be comfortable at any temperature, and might just save you from paying for extra baggage allowance.

Take t-shirts, singlets, cardigans and jumpers made of slightly thinner fabrics to wear every day.

Investing in a pair of thermals is also a great idea in case of a cold snap. Able to find on the cheap, and providing a lot of warmth for not a lot of bulk, they are a lifesaver.

A bottom layer sitting closer to the body leads to less layers overall on top, so there’s also that.

Test your limits

If there’s still some cooler weather back home, before leaving, see just how far you can go in jeans and a t-shirt.

This is the perfect time to get a good idea of just how many layers to pack.

Walk it out

If there’s one week’s worth of snow lying on the ground, sometimes sitting at a café just won’t cut it. Now is the time to get used to the weather and go for a walk, so adjust to the time zone, and get ready for the cold!

With the aid of a map, an emergency phone or a friend, get lost in the city you’re visiting. You might just thank yourself for it.

OR don’t go

You’ve done all your research. You’ve checked out the forecast online and you’ve read too many blog posts to count. The information given by friends is overwhelming.

Sometimes you’ve just got to accept that some things just aren’t for you. This is why it’s important to look up exactly what you could get yourself into, before you get stuck in a place you might hate. Whatever conclusion you reach, just make sure to be ready for it.

Designed by Laura Unicomb

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Yak Magazine // June 2016

Home sweet home? Dealing with reverse culture shock With many students going overseas this semester break, Bridget Gunn explores the pros and cons of returning home.

It’s confronting to jump out of your comfort zone and into somewhere completely unknown without having access to the support of your friends and family. But it can be just as hard to come back home again, where everything is familiar, but you feel fundamentally different.

Nothing quite beats walking down an unfamiliar street, in a strange town, and the feeling of possibility that comes with it. You’re free to discover a new city, to make new friends and to grow as a person.

But then you come home. Nothing has really changed, maybe a few friends have moved on, or maybe there’s a patch of dirt where there used to be your childhood swing set in the front yard. You feel like you’ve become a completely different person, so how could it be possible for home to feel so static?

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Bachelor of Development Studies student, Rhianna Wansey, who has flown the ‘coop’ on numerous occasions, still remembers the feeling of being away from home for the first time.

“It quickly became obvious how dependant I was on my parents,” Rhianna said of her two months spent in France when she was 16 years old. “My family and I became closer, as the time we did have together seemed more precious. It made me appreciate them a lot more.”

This newfound familial connection didn’t kill the travel bug for Rhianna, because two years later, she jetted off to Finland on Rotary Youth Exchange. Returning a year later, she found the adjustment to home life a little more challenging this time.

“It was hard coming back. I had new interests and ideas, and one year’s worth of experiences that my friends didn’t know, or take the time to understand,” Rhianna said.

“Returning home was much like leaving in the first place.

I had to allow myself time to settle and accept that things would be different.”

Bachelor of Biomedical Science student, Connor Sherwood, recently returned from a semester spent studying in Hong Kong, which he said fundamentally altered the way he saw himself as a person.

“I felt like I had changed a lot, and it was difficult trying to find a way to fit the person I had become overseas, with the responsibilities and environment of my life back home,” he said.

Connor found that, although his relationships with a number of his old friends had changed significantly, things had definitely improved with his family.

“It was very confronting to be taken out of the home environment I’d known for all of my life, and forced to change my daily behaviours and notions of how household responsibilities are handled,” he said.

“I actually found it easier to fit in with my family when I came home, I think I really gained an appreciation for how good my home life was.”

“I would do it all again in a heartbeat. It’s impossible to grow if we don’t give ourselves the opportunity to do so.”

Although there were definite downsides of living away from home, both Connor and Rhianna would recommend the experience to other university students.

“Even if it is difficult, it widens your perspective in an amazing way, and gives you so many opportunities and experiences that a lot of people don’t get,” Connor said.

“I learnt more about myself living away from home than I did in 13 years of schooling,” Rhianna added. “I would do it all again in a heartbeat. It’s impossible to grow if we don’t give ourselves the opportunity to do so.”

Of course, it’s hard to live in a dream world forever.

Eventually, the majority of us have to make our way home; expired visas or empty wallets in hand. Even though coming home can be less than appealing, living away from home may just help you grow into the person you want to be.

If you have further questions about this topic or would like to seek professional support, the University of Newcastle’s Counselling Service offer individual sessions at Newcastle, Central Coast and Port Macquarie campuses. Alternatively, contact the service on 4921 5801, or online.

Yak Magazine // June 2016

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“I felt like I had changed a lot, and it was difficult trying to find a way to fit the person I had become overseas with the responsibilities and environment of my life back home.�

Designed by Laura Unicomb

Yak Magazine // June 2016

mass debate // contiki tour vs own organised trip

CONTIKI

OWN ORGANISED TRIP

We all know the drill. Finish high school, begin uni, finish uni, go on the holiday of a lifetime, and get a great job (with any luck).

Yes, we do all know the drill. Why on earth would you want any kind of authority figure trying to control and organise your trip, after spending years in high school and uni, constantly listening and abiding by rules?

Melissa Newphry

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For many of us, the stress and hassle of planning an once-in-a-lifetime holiday is too much on top of the stress of being a university student, which is where Contiki comes in with their cape and saves the day.

It doesn’t matter where you want to go, Contiki probably has a tour. The ease and simplicity of the entire experience is a massive bonus, along with the guarantee of making amazing friends and having access to pubs and clubs that usually have lines going for days.

“Whether you are a history and culture guru seeking out every museum, or a party animal just there for a good time, Contiki will accommodate for you.”

They’re a whirlwind holiday tour, and are a must-do for anyone under the age of 35. The only responsibility you have is getting on the bus every morning, even with the world’s worst hangover.

They organise the accommodation, the sites you see, and in some cases, a lot of the food. What more could you want? They ensure you see the best of every city and country town on the road, and the tour guides give you all the info you need to have a good time on your own.

They may have a reputation for being wild and crazy, but the beauty of a Contiki tour is that you make it what you want. Whether you are a history and culture guru seeking out every museum, or a party animal just there for a good time, Contiki will accommodate to you. Even if you don’t know anyone, just go! You will make lifelong friends and have the best time, all the while knowing that Contiki will keep you safe and happy.

Designed by Laura Unicomb

Thomas Birch

Planning can be the fun part of an once-in-a-lifetime holiday. Why would you want someone to take away that independence? Sure, booking a tour can be simple and easy, but why settle for simple and easy? Don’t you want to challenge yourself? Don’t you want to broaden your horizons and get out of your comfort zone? Why let Contiki organise everything for you? If the idea of someone else organising everything for you appeals to you, then you should book a holiday to your mum’s house.

Not to mention, the people. What if you’re stuck on a bus with 40 of the worst people you’ve ever met in your life?

That, combined with a hangover, and you’ll probably be on death’s door. Yeah, I’ll pass, thanks.

While Contiki may have a reputation for being wild and crazy, the beauty of organising your own trip is that you create your own reputation. Everything is in your hands.

You decide.

“If the idea of someone else organising everything for you appeals to you, then you should book a holiday to your mum’s house.”

Also, the cost. If you’re on a budget, you’re probably best backpacking and experiencing the wonders of the world on your own terms, rather than handing over your money to a tour company so they can put you on a bus.

It doesn’t matter where you want to go, you can make your own ‘tour’. No ‘ifs’, no ‘buts’ about it.

In the words of Fleetwood Mac, ‘Go your own way’.

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Destinations For First-Time Backpackers Pack your bags, Thomas Birch presents you with a list of ‘must see’ places for first-time backpackers.

So you’ve decided to pack your bags, run away from it all, and go on one of the greatest adventures you’ll ever experience. Backpacking can be a thrilling, challenging, and life-changing experience. Before you escape the daily grind and set foot on your grand adventure, there’s one thing that you should ask yourself: ‘where am I going?’ Sure, you could leave it to chance and let fate decide, however, it’s a good idea to have some sense of where you’ll be heading. Especially if you’re a backpacking virgin.

however if you’re wanting to venture off the beaten track a little, take a look at Lombok and Flores. In Lombok you can hike up Mount Rinjani, the second highest volcano in Indonesia. The Gili Islands are also worth checking out, while in Lombok, there’s a group of three islands that are popular destinations for backpackers. In Flores you can visit Komodo National Park where you have the opportunity to scuba dive and view the unique Komodo dragon, the world’s largest lizard. Fun fact: Lonely Planet described Flores as “Indonesia’s next big thing”.

Below is a list of places for first-time backpackers that are sure to satisfy that travel bug lurking inside you.

Vietnam - Beaches, ancient cities, monuments, and

Thailand - The travel hub of Southeast Asia is a popular destination for both first-time and seasoned backpackers. Attracting visitors from all walks of life, Thailand boasts an array of beautiful beaches, wildlife, jungles and food. With its cheap prices and a variety of accommodation options, Thailand is also a great choice for backpackers on a budget. This is what easy travel is all about.

Malaysia - Staying in Southeast Asia, Malaysia is an

amazing country that has grown in popularity on the backpacking circuit. Malaysia offers backpackers a bounty of experiences to choose from. From mosques to temples, tropical rainforest’s to national parks, and bustling cities to picturesque islands, Malaysia is a country that keeps on giving. Although not as cheap as Thailand, you’re unlikely to break the bank when backpacking through Malaysia’s warm paradise.

Indonesia - With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is a

big and beautiful country with plenty on offer for first time backpackers. Bali is a popular tourist destination,

great scenery. What more could you ask for? Oh, that’s right, delicious street food. With a stunning mixture of nature, culture and tradition, Vietnam is a great place to backpack through. Although not for everybody, backpacking through Vietnam is an experience you’ll never forget. Two words: eat everything.

Cambodia - Home of Angkor Wat, the largest religious

monument in the world, Cambodia is a ‘must’ for any backpacker. Being one of the cheapest places to visit in Asia, Cambodia is perfect for backpackers on a budget. The country has a rich history. Be sure to visit the markets in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, where hundreds of tourists pass through every day.

New Zealand - Last, but certainly not the least, the land

of The Lord of the Rings: New Zealand. No stranger to the backpacker trail, New Zealand offers adventure sports and stunning scenery. From snow-capped mountains and natural hot springs, to bungy jumping and rafting rivers, New Zealand is a destination full of adventure and spirit. With an abundance of outdoor activities, unique cultural experiences and breathtaking scenery, New Zealand is a country you’ll definitely want to get lost in.

Designed by Breanna Yates

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Yak Magazine // June 2016

Can youR friendship survive travelling together?

Jack Moran explores what exactly the pitfalls of travelling with a friend are and how to avoid them.

Travelling with a friend can be great. From a quick weekend getaway, to the full round-the-world adventure, having a friend to share the experience with can be amazing. You have someone to split costs with, someone to watch your back in an unfamiliar location and, most importantly, you’ve got a personal camera operator to document your entire trip for all of social media friends and followers to see.

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But is it worth it? We have to admit that some friendships have been irreparably broken by travelling experiences, and with good reason. Travelling can be stressful with late flights and unforeseen expenses besetting even the most seasoned of globe trotters. Stress, combined with our elevated expectations of the perfect holiday, create a high pressure environment capable of fracturing even the greatest platonic bonds.

Terrible metaphors aside, the big question is, how can you ensure you won’t want to excommunicate each other once you’ve returned to your normal lives?

The first thing to do would be to carefully consider your choice of travel companions and look out for any hints that you might want to strangle them if you travel together. Warning signs include an already argumentative friendship, drastically different interests, or if you habitually take more than a day to respond to their texts and messages out of spite.

Once you’re on the trip, however, it’s a whole different ball game. One of the crucial things to do is the buzzword of relationship experts everywhere: communication. That’s right, what’s good for you and your significant other, is good for you and your travel buddy too.

If something they’re doing is annoying or offending you, let them know – calmly and respectfully, of course.

There’s a good chance that they might not know what they’re doing is bothering you. Opening up clear lines of communications means that issues won’t fester under the surface until they explode into bigger arguments that could ruin the whole trip.

Designed by Emily Cranidge

Photos courtesy of Unsplash // Joseph Barrientos and Ian Schneider

If you find yourself getting aggravated or arguing often, you might find it helpful to give each other some space for a while. Being around somebody 24 hours a day can be socially exhausting, no matter how solid your friendship is.

“If you find yourself getting aggravated or arguing often, you might find it helpful to give each other some space for a while.”

Even if you’re sharing a hotel room, spending an hour on opposite sides of the room just listening to music or reading can help you to recharge your social battery.

Alternatively, doing activities that require very little social effort – like just watching a movie together after a long day – can also do wonders.

Then there’s the concept we all know we should follow in theory: compromise. While it might be hard to give up a part of your trip, you have to realise that it’s your friend’s trip too. While you shouldn’t have to compromise on everything, you should be open to your travelling companion’s ideas and plans. You might end up enjoying something you never would have thought to try out.

If you’re considerate of your friend’s needs, and willing to work at making the holiday equally great for the both of you, travelling with a friend can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. It can strengthen your friendship and create long-lasting memories that only the two of you will share.

Yak Magazine // June 2016

rollin’ with the locals Nadene Budden knows how not to look like a foreigner in foreign lands.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash // Ezra Jeffrey

Planning a holiday can be daunting. When that holiday is overseas, the stakes are high in terms of personal safety. Sticking out as a tourist can be one of the biggest concerns when planning a holiday – up there with making sure that the accommodation you choose isn’t a complete hellhole. Making sure that whether the places you choose to travel to are actually safe is another smart thing to do before any overseas trip. Blending in with the locals of any country or city can be tricky, from Paris to Buenos Aires to Bangkok, the key to success is research no matter where you stay.

we would back home, and sadly, that usually means leaving the ripped jeans and baggy shirts at home. There is also the option of buying clothes during the trip if you ever truly get stuck.

Language & Etiquette

Getting Around

Besides Americans, Australians can be some of the easiest tourists to spot – perhaps it’s the accent that gets in the way from making people think otherwise.

A little goes a long way when it comes to language barriers, and depending where you go, it’s possible to get away with knowing enough to order food. Table manners are a huge giveaway, so slurp soup up in Japan, say “Prost” when toasting in Germany, and don’t be afraid to use hands as utensils in India.

Being conscious of the different levels of personal space is important, too. An awareness of those around you, like saying “thank you”, “please” and “excuse me” can also go a long way, especially when trying to sweet-talk a bus driver into a free ride if your wallet goes missing. Even if the locals pick up the particularly bad pronunciation, chances are they will appreciate the effort.

Dress

This varies from country to country, sometimes city to city, but the clothes on your back may be a sign that you’re a tourist. This becomes especially crucial in Islamic countries and other countries of the world where there are very distinct pieces of clothing people are required to wear. Always look at what others are wearing – for instance, European countries tend to dress smarter than

It comes more down to safety when we talk about accessories. Backpacks for everyday use can become a field day for pickpockets, so travel light! Although travel belts are extremely helpful in keeping valuables secure, make sure they’re as close to the body as possible and underneath layers of clothes.

Don’t be afraid to talk to people! Immerse yourself in all cultures within reach, visit the local stores and restaurants and order the local cuisine. Exploring the city through public transport and your own two feet will give you the same experience as everyone else around you, even if you do struggle with understanding the train ticketing system. If you can, speak the local language where possible, even if it’s just the basics. If you’re using Airbnb, ask the host what they recommend visiting in the surrounding cities and a few little tips on the language.

“Blending in with the locals of any country or city can be tricky, from Paris to Buenos Aires to Bangkok, the key to success is research no matter where you stay.”

It also helps to know your destination really well. This doesn’t mean planning every single day for the duration of your stay, but try not to pull out a big paper map (although this is easily avoided by the use of a smartphone). Find niched activities and events to participate in. Take part in Chinese New Year or celebrate German Karneval and watch the parades. Buy tickets to a sporting event if you can and listen to the roars of the crowd. Not visiting all of the ‘must see’ tourist destinations won’t diminish your experience and might even keep you safer in the long run.

Designed by Laura Unicomb

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Yak Magazine // June 2016

tips to spot an aussie abroad Thomas Birch gives some advice on how to recognise some of your fellow Australians when travelling overseas.

Australians, or ‘Aussies’, love to travel – almost like it’s in our DNA. We are just a bunch of curious, adventurous types that love to have a good time and broaden our horizons. Well, according to our ‘stereotypical’ image, anyway.

You might be wondering, however, how do I spot a fellow Aussie abroad? Wonder no more friend, because you’ve come to the right place! Below are four ways to spot an Aussie abroad.

Attire

Sure, Aussies like to be comfortable. Shorts, a singlet and a pair of Havaianas are the perfect giveaway when scanning the crowd for the ‘typical’ Aussie abroad (alternatively, a pair of track pants, a hoodie and beanie for colder climates, occasionally with thongs; otherwise referred to as “sandals” or “flip flops” in most foreign countries).

Language 38

When you’re waiting in line at Heathrow airport and you hear someone refer to McDonalds as “Macca’s”, you just know that an Aussie is nearby. That guy across the room greeting everyone with a “G’Day” – an Aussie.

Abbreviating every word known to man (ciggie, comfy, cossie, sunnies, servo, arvo, rego, devo, bottle-o) – an Aussie. Saying “thongs” and referring to the pieces of rubber on their feet – an Aussie.

Food

Apart from seeing the typical things like someone putting shrimps (prawns, thank you) on the barbeque and eating vegemite on toast, you can spot an Aussie abroad by paying attention to what they eat.

While we have our own ‘quirks’ when it comes to food in Australia, such as putting beetroot or pineapple on hamburgers (delicious by the way), Australia is a land that is rich in multicultural foods. More than likely, Aussies will enjoy foods from all walks of life and can be seen devouring a wide range of tasty delights.

Attitude

So, you’ve lost your passport and you’re stranded in a foreign country. Basically, you’re in a lot of strife, right?

Yeah, nah.

Aussie’s have a can-do attitude. There’s a real and obvious mateship. If anyone utters the words “she’ll be right”, or “no worries”, to just about anything and everything, they’re most probably Australian.

“When you’re waiting in line at Heathrow airport and you hear someone refer to McDonalds as ‘Maccas’, you just know that an Aussie is nearby.”

So there you have it! Four ways to spot a fellow Aussie from a mile (ahem, kilometre) away. It should be noted, however, that Australians aren’t always the stereotypical larrikin we see depicted in foreign media. Australia and its people are diverse and multicultural. The people that make up our great land hold many different opinions, beliefs and values that each contribute to the overall identity of Australia.

So when you’re out spreading your wings and travelling the world, remember, spotting an Aussie is not always as straight-forward as you might think.

Confused by some of the terms used in this article? No worries mate, check out our Aussie slang dictionary below.

AUSSIE SLANG 101 Aussie – An Australian.

Arvo – Afternoon.

Bottle-O – A bottle shop, a store that sells predominantly alcohol.

Ciggie – A cigarette.

Comfy – Comfortable.

Cossie – A swimming costume or pair of swimming trunks.

Devo – Devastated.

G’Day – Good day or hello.

Designed by Laura Unicomb

Larrikin – A boisterous or rowdy person, usually with disregard for convention.

Macca’s – McDonalds.

Mateship – Companionship or friendship.

No worries – That’s alright/fine.

Rego – A motor vehicle registration.

Servo – A service station/petrol station/gas station.

She’ll be right – That will be alright/ don’t worry.

Strife – Trouble or difficulty.

Sunnies – Sunglasses.

Thongs – Flip flops or sandals.

Yeah, nah – A saying which usually means “I understand what you’re saying, but I disagree.”

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Photography // Kiel Johnson

watt space // Coast to Coast, Country to Country Watt Space is connecting artists across the globe and there’s an exhibition to prove it, writes Nadene Budden.

Last July, a group of students from the University were given the opportunity to travel to the United States.

During their two-week stay, they explored the art and surrounding cultures of Los Angeles and New York. They also visited artist, Kiel Johnson, who told them about life as a professional artist in the US.

He said collaboration is important for young artists trying to get their work out there. Kiel himself has found this to be true throughout his career. “You can come together and say, ‘you can do something fun and I can do something fun, but together, we can do something super cool and you can tell your friends and I can tell my friends.’”

UON student, Danielle Minett, visited Kiel and has curated a show titled From Coast to Coast at the Watt Space gallery to feature works created in response to this experience.

The show will be a celebration of Novocastrian culture and our connection to the greater world around us.

It’s a lot of hard work and determination to ‘make it’ in the industry, but as long as people know who you are and know what you’re doing, you have the room to grow. “The more opportunities you get to do what you love, the more you want to work,” Kiel said.

Originally meeting the group of UON students last year, Kiel was later offered the opportunity to fly out to Australia to give other students the chance to be a part of a workshop inspired by his own use of cardboard and glue as the basis of his works. All those involved crafted a fleet of ships as the centrepiece of the exhibition, celebrating the connections the students have made.

Art, in his view, is about sharing with others and encouraging more people to be creative. “I just see creativity as a disease and I want to cough on as many people as I can.”

“These students came over and made all of these connections, and I am just one of those connections – a friend or fellow artist they met on their journey. I’m just honoured to be a part of the whole experience,” Kiel said.

Before making his way to Australia for the opening of the exhibition, Kiel spoke highly about his involvement with Watt Space, his collaboration with Danielle and the other artists. “Everyone comes together to create something and it becomes on big thing.”

“I just see creativity as a disease and I want to cough on as many people as I can.”

If you missed the opportunity to partake in Kiel’s workshops last month, it’s not too late to see the finished product. From Coast to Coast features footage and artwork inspired by a journey from the coast of Los Angeles, to the coast of New York. The show will run until Sunday, June 12. So if you haven’t stopped by Watt Space recently, now is the perfect time.

Designed by Jackie Brock

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Yak Magazine // June 2016

Navigating the World of Drinks Jackie Bassett compiles a list of international beverages that’ll make you fluent in the language of liquor.

Aperol Spritz

Caipirinha

This orange flavoured Italian drink is made on Aperol, an aperitif with low alcohol content and a bright orange appearance. It is refreshing and is typically drunk on a warm Venetian afternoon.

Caipirinha is the national cocktail of Brazil and gets my vote as the best cocktail out. It is a sour mojito-like drink (without the mint) and is made on Brazil’s most popular alcohol, Cachaça, a derivative of sugarcane.

Method: Mix 75ml of Prosecco with 50ml of Aperol and add a dash of soda water. Finish by adding a slice of orange and ice cubes and serve in a wine glass.

Method: Cut half a lime into wedges and squeeze into a glass. Add one and a half tablespoons caster sugar and mix together. Pour in 70ml Cachaça and top with ice.

Pimm’s

Salmiakki Koskenkorva

Origin: Italy

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Origin: Brazil

Origin: England

Origin: Finland

This is a jolly good summer punch that is made to share. It’s full of fruit, which is delicious to snack on after the punch is gone.

This unusual liqueur has an intense flavour. Salmiakki Koskenkorva is a mixture of vodka and ground salt licorice and comes ready to drink.

Method: Pour 200ml of Pimm’s No. 1 and 600ml of lemonade into a jug over ice and stir. Add sliced cucumber, oranges, strawberries and mint leaves.

Think salty licorice in liquid form and you’ve got a good idea of how this tastes. It’s very popular in Finland and one you’ve got to try on your travels (if you can get past the jet black colour).

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Goaßmaß

Chili Guaro

This is an Oktoberfest-sized drink packing an Oktoberfest sized punch. It is made from dark wheat beer, cherry liqueur and coke. It is typical in Bavaria in Germany’s south and is served in a one litre stein. Erdinger Dunkel Weissbier and Franziskaner Dunkel Weissbier can be found at Dan Murphy’s.

This is a spicy pocket rocket shot that’s a little too easy to drink and a little harder to shake off the next morning.

It’s made on Cacique Guaro, Costa Rica’s most popular spirit with a vodka taste.

Origin: Bavaria, Germany

Origin: Costa Rica

Method: Mix 500ml of dark wheat beer with 500ml of coke, then add 40ml of cherry liqueur.

Method: Pour 30ml of Cacique Guaro into a mixing glass and squeeze a lime over the shot. Add two dashes of Tabasco sauce, stir, and pour into a shot glass. Line the rim of the glass with salt.

Manhattan

Yoghurt Soju Cocktail

The Manhattan is a whiskey based cocktail that is traditionally served cold, in bars around the US. It’s smooth to drink and looks as sexy as the New York City skyline.

This cocktail is made using Korea’s most popular liquor Soju, made from sweet potatoes or grain. It is mixed with a yoghurt drink and any lemon/lime soda to make a light, zesty cocktail that is very popular with the locals and curious tourists.

Origin: United States

Method: Stir together 60ml of rye whiskey, 30ml of vermouth and two splashes of Angostura bitters in a mixing glass with ice. Pour the drink into a cocktail glass (leaving the ice behind) and add a maraschino cherry to serve.

Origin: Korea

Method: Mix together one part Soju, one part yoghurt drink (you can use Yakult) and one part lemon/lime soda (lemonade works a treat), and serve over ice.

Designed by Emily Cranidge

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Yak Magazine // June 2016

travelling solo Wandering the globe on your own can be the worst of times and the best of times, writes Michaela Wagland.

Having the option to travel the world is one of life’s extraordinary gifts and, for many of us, travelling is an opportunity that doesn’t present itself very often. So when it does, we want the experience to be without faults.

That is why many take the ultimate leap of independence and travel solo. This way, you can see and do whatever you want, whenever you want. You have the ability to indulge yourself without limits and experience everything the world has to offer without being hindered by prejudices of a travelling partner. Your ambitions have no bounds; the world, as they say, is your oyster.

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“All of a sudden I was in a foreign country where no one spoke English, with no belongings and no passport, and I had no one to support me.”

But like any leap of faith, travelling solo has its perils and, unfortunately, not everyone has avoided them. It makes you wonder why people do travel solo.

Secretary of the University of Newcastle’s Exchange Student Network (UNESN), Ethan Andrews, said after travelling to The United States and Canada solo, you have the freedom to be as selfish as you like.

“Of course I do enjoy travelling with friends, but for long haul trips that last weeks, I really value being able to be independent,” he said.

Bachelor of Speech Pathology student, Elizabeth Haynes, travelled Chile, Ecuador and Peru solo and believes “some people love the challenge and the adventure”.

“You are constantly pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone and it’s really reassuring to know that I was able to make it through on my own,” she said.

Ethan is one of the lucky ones. His solo adventures have been entirely positive. “I remember little things like a bartender giving me a beer on the house, and on my second day of travelling alone, somebody asked me to join them and their friends for dinner,” he said.

Designed by Kathleen Maier

Elizabeth’s experience, however, was quite the opposite.

“I was robbed on the first day of my organised tour,” she said.

“It was extremely difficult to get through this on my own. All of a sudden I was in a foreign country where no one spoke English, with no belongings and no passport, and I had no one to support me.”

Although traveling alone can be a dangerous thing, Elizabeth chose to indulge her independence.

She decided to brave the language barriers and periods of loneliness to experience all that travel has to offer. During her trip, Elizabeth learned that the world could be both a wonderful and frightening place.

Elizabeth’s experiences have tainted her perceptions of solo travel, but she did have an incredible time and inevitably grew as a person.

“I was lucky enough to go the Galapagos Islands and swim with sharks, sea lions, turtles and so much more. This trip was the most amazing experience and I will never forget it,” she said.

“You can see and do whatever you want, whenever you want.”

Ethan said he would travel solo again. “I think a lot of how much you enjoy a trip comes down to chance, but whether your experience is good or bad, you’ll definitely grow from having done it,” he said.

If you are considering solo travel, both Ethan and Elizabeth have some advice for you. Ethan said you do have to keep your wits about you and to remember that tourists often stand out in a crowd of locals.

Elizabeth said it’s always best to have your passport on you at all times in case of an emergency.

If solo travel is next on your agenda, treasure your experiences. We don’t always hear about negative occurrences for solo travellers, but they do happen.

Just stick to your smarts, as you’ll need plenty of positive experiences to make your friends back home jealous.

Yak Magazine // June 2016

Yak Magazine // June 2016

MIC DRop // Jemima Webber Sarah James chats with local folk singer and songwriter, Jemima Webber, about life on the road.

It is far too easy to get preoccupied with the stresses of everyday life. Tired of the mundane, local singer-song writer, Jemima Webber, has managed to escape the trivialities through one decision: to focus on her music.

Twelve months ago, Jemima studied at UON. She lived with her partner. She worked and had a cat and a dog.

In the aftermath of some confronting events, Jemima realised that something about her ordinary life had to change, “I didn’t leave the house and I definitely wasn’t making music. I just didn’t care about anything. So I had to create something to care about,” she said.

Jemima decided to buy a van.

“I got rid of my bed, the furniture, my clothes, sold my old car. I had to reduce my life from a three-bedroom home to only what could fit into a van. Now I only own what I need, and doesn’t that make sense?”

“For a long time, I was really caught up in staying true to myself and not ‘selling’ my soul.”

Life on the road isn’t easy, but for free-spirit Jemima, the decision to uproot her life has been a cleansing experience. Despite all of the challenges that come with living out of a van, for Jemima, it is all part of the adventure.

“Australia is my playground right now. I’m loving the people I’m meeting and the lessons I’m learning. It gets very difficult, stressful, and potentially unsafe. And it definitely isn’t glamorous, but it’s an incredibly ‘freeing’ feeling,” she said.

With the whole country at her door (or to put it more accurately, van door), Jemima is focused on getting her music heard by as many people as possible.

Her songwriting has come a long way since her first attempts in early primary school, with her decision to pick up guitar playing a very formative role. “I learned to play the guitar at 14 [years old] and that’s when it started sounding like music. Some of the songs I wrote, I still play at gigs today,” Jemima said.

Her music is heavily influenced by music from the 1960s and ‘70s, but is also inspired by the likes of Missy Higgins and Taylor Swift. The result is a unique folk, alternative, and pop fusion sound.

Photography // Sawtooth Studio

For the past few years, Jemima has been playing gigs across Newcastle, Port Stephens, the Central Coast and Sydney, occasionally presenting for Lake Macquarie 97.3FM. It was these experiences that have led to her becoming a skilled live performer and highly aware of how to navigate the music industry.

Jemima has come to realise that there is more to being successful than just being passionate about the music – the hardest obstacle is striking a balance between business and creativity. “You have to treat it like a business and a job, because that’s what it is. For a long time, I was really caught up in staying true to myself and not ‘selling’ my soul.”

She soon understood that compromise is part of the industry, “You have to do the covers gigs, playing ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ and ‘Wonderwall’ over and over so that you can afford to do what you love, which is writing and playing my own music.”

Putting off gigs for the last couple of months to adjust to life on the road, Jemima is back to playing live shows, most recently at the GOATS Festival on the Central Coast, and plans to travel to the United States next year. In the meantime, she is focused on honing her craft and performing as much as she can. With a string of shows planned for Newcastle and Queensland, she’s definitely one to watch.

Jemima’s music can be found at: soundcloud.com/jemimamusic facebook.com/jemimamusic Designed by Breanna Yates

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Yak Magazine // June 2016

Women in Music From Around the Country

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As a local artist, there are significant obstacles you need to overcome, considering most are relatively young. Max Jackson, one of the music industry’s up-and-comers, is relatively new to the scene, but she has some solid views on equality and the role of women.

What is the importance of empowering women through music?

“Everything about it is important. I want to write music, I want to inspire people, but my music is the only one avenue to do that. When I was growing up, music was the one escape I would look forward to, so if my music can do that for even just one little girl, that would mean a lot.”

“Music is great for everyone.”

What advice do you have for female musicians within the industry?

“Be confident with yourself and don’t fear to be different.

If you’re nervous about being a little bit different, that can be the one thing that stands out from the rest of the artists, and makes your music that little bit more awesome. The important thing is to not let anything hold you back.”

asta.

Photography // Chris Daniel

max jackson.

Photography // Chris Daniel

They say that music can take you anywhere, however, there can be restrictions for female artists with issues regarding equality and sexism. Chris Daniel talks to a few women in music including Max Jackson, national treasure ASTA, and bass player Jennifer Boyce from Ball Park Music, about their opinions on these issues.

Singer and songwriter Asta, who is highly influenced by many female artists worldwide, shares her wisdom and insight into the issue of sexism and misogyny within the music industry. From small intimate gigs, to arena tours with Ellie Goulding, she has had no trouble navigating the music scene at such a young age.

What is the importance of empowering women through music?

“When it comes down to it, empowering women through music is really important, but it depends on the content.

I have been to way too many writing sessions where someone will try and take my music in a direction that I don’t want it to go. Things like ‘bad relationships’’, I don’t write about that sort of stuff. I write about cool shit. If you want to empower women through music, you need to sing about empowering things.”

Do you see women portraying a different role than men in the industry? Why? “In terms of what we sound like and what we sing about, that’s probably the only time we portray a different role. Women are just as capable as men when it comes to music.”

To all the misogynists in the world, what do you have to say to them?

“The only thing I would probably say is that women are very special creatures. We can run the world.”

jennifer boyce.

Photography // Chris Daniel

Yak Magazine // June 2016

At first glance, most people may not recognize the name, however bass guitarist and vocalist Jennifer Boyce, is a key element to the unique sound of Brisbane’s Ball Park Music. The band is a profound national act, and they’ve also travelled internationally with three acclaimed albums, spreading Australian music to all corners of the globe. As the only woman in the band, Jennifer has overcome many issues of equality and sexism.

What is the importance of empowering women through music?

“The importance of music is to let women know that they are human, and that they are just as human as everyone else. I don’t dwell on the fact that I am a woman and whether or not I am missing out on the same rights men get, but more on whether I’m getting the same rights as everyone else in general. Music is great for everyone, despite their gender, religion, sexuality and so on.”

To all the misogynists in the world, what do you have to say to them?

“My main question would have to be ‘why?’ Is there a reason why you think that I can’t do the same thing that men can do? If there is, I would just have to ask you to prove it to me.”

“Empowering women through music is really important.”

As a nation, we celebrated International Women’s Day earlier in the year, but we still may have a long way to go before equality can be met between men and women.

However, with multiple organisations working towards equality including campaigns such as Girls to the Front, equality is not a distant reality. By supporting the music industry, and the artists within it, we can overcome the barriers of equality and the restrictions that come with it.

Do you see women portraying a different role than men in the industry? Why? “I think sometimes from the outside it may seem that way, that women are treated differently and that men are ‘dominant’. For me though, being in the music scene, it’s not like that at all. We have some excellent women working for our label, in our management team, and even just supporting us wherever we go because that is the sort of industry we are in. That is the way that I see it.

I personally don’t see a difference.”

Designed by Kathleen Maier

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Yak Magazine // June 2016

What’s on // June

MON

TUES

WED 1. Callaghan Mid-year Info Session State of Origin | - NSW v QLD, Olympic Park, Sydney

THURS 2. Mid-year Entry Info Stand, Port Macquarie Reconciliation Week

Reconciliation Week

6. Semester 1 Examinations Commence

7.

Vivid Night Markets, The Rocks, Sydney

8. Sydney Film Festival, State Theatre Sydney, 8 – 19 June

9. Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Cessnock

FRI

SAT

SUN

3. Semester 1

4.Olive Tree Markets, Civic Park, Newcastle

5. Vivid Night Markets, The Rocks, Sydney

Concludes

End of Semester Party, BotH

Newcastle City Farmers Markets, Newcastle Showground

Reconciliation Week

Hunter Valley Wine Festival, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley

10. Melbourne

11. Silver Chair,

12. Newcastle City Farmers Markets, Newcastle Showground

17. Supanova,

18. Last night of Vivid Festival, Sydney

19. Craft Beer & Cider Festival, Central Coast

Star Struck, Newcastle Entertainment Centre

Star Struck, Newcastle Entertainment Centre

Chittaway Bay International Comedy Festival, Tavern Civic Theatre, 10 - 12 June Mountain Design Geoquest, Port Macquarie, 10 - 12 June

World Environment Day 46

13. Queen’s

Birthday Public Holiday

14.

15.

Trimester 2 Census Date

Karnivool Bar on the Hill

20. Science Leadership Summit, Sydney, 20 - 24 June

21. Women in

27. Mid-year

28. Ourimbah Careers Expo

recess commences NIB Hunter Festival of Sport, 27 June - 12 July Winter Term Commences

16. Sydney Careers Expo, 16 – 19 June

Technology & Telecommunications Industry Leadership Summit, Sydney, 21 – 24 June

22. State of Origin II Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

23. Aunty Donna, Civic Theatre Playhouse, Newcastle

29.

30.

Olympic Park, Sydney, 17 - 19 June

24. Semester 1 25. Show your colours festival, Examinations Newcastle End Entertainment Travelling Film Centre Festival, Music Newcastle, Masterclass: 24 - 26 June Voice, Uon Conservatotrium

Dye Hard Fun Run, Maitland Refugee Week Rally, Newcastle & Sydney

26. Sydney

Comedy Festival Showcase, Laycock Street

Newcastle City Farmers Markets, Newcastle Showground

Yak Magazine // June 2016

What’s on // July

MON

TUES

WED

THURS

FRI

SAT

SUN

1. The Beards, 2. Diamonds Cambridge Hotel, in the Dirt, Newcastle Cooranbong Terrigal Beach Markets The Entrance Farmers Markets

4. Church & Kingdom Wintercon, Forster, 4 – 8 July

5.

6.

7. Central Coast Graduation Trimester 2 Exam Timetable Released Online

Winter Term Census Date

8. Semester 1 results released Central Coast Graduation

3. Australian International Music Festival, Sydney, 3 – 10 July Newcastle City Farmers Markets, Newcastle Showground

9. Brickfest, Newcastle PCYC

10. Brickfest, Newcastle PCYC

Olive Tree Markets, Civic Park, Newcastle

Winter Blues & Jazz Festival, The Entrance

Good Vibe Markets, Erina 47

11.

12.

13. State of Origin III NSW versus QLD, Olympic Park, Sydney

14.

15. Hairspray

the Musical, Newcastle Entertainment Centre, 15 - 16 July Winter Term concludes

18. Semester 1 Supplementary Examinations, 18 - 22 June

19. Vintage Bride Wedding Fair, Newcastle City Hall

20. Winter Term Exams Conclude

21.

22. Winter Term Results Released

16. Archibald, Wynne & Sulman Prizes, Art Gallery NSW, 16 June - 9 October

17. Newcastle

Antique & Vintage Fair, Terrigal, 16 - 17 July

Hunt & Gather Markets, Pacific Park, Newcastle

23. Mt Penang Parkrun, Mt Penang Parklands

24. Hunter Valley Running Festival, Hunter Valley Gardens

Mid-Year Orientation, 18 - 22 June

Avoca Beachside Markets, Central Coast

Winter Term Exams Start

25. Semester 2 26. Common

27.

Shimano Mountain Bike GP Round 3, Ourimbah, 25 July - 1 August

Seaside Classic, Port Macquarie, 27 July - 2 August

Commences

City Farmers Markets, Speerspoint Park

Lunch BBQ Auchmuty Courtyard

Black Light Party, BotH

28.

29. National

Campus Band Comp (Heat 1), BotH

30. Mt Penang 31. National Parkrun, Mt Penang Parklands

Tree Day

Lighthouse to Skillion Walk, Central Coast

Designed by Breanna Yates