Day 3 - Orientation

It was the official Orientation Day for all first-years in any course. We went ahead to settle all the things we hadn't done (collecting student ID, blood tests etc.)

Next, we went for a tour of the UCD Sports Centre where we were allowed to try out various sports to decide what we would take up next week. I tried the trampoline jumping, which was quite easy to me (I don't understand why my other FITTER friends kept falling down doing the same simple tricks I did, like sitting then standing, turning etc.). I'd post a video of one of my friends, but she's kill me if she found out.

Boat-rowing was our next game. We did in on machines of course, and not out on the artificial lake that we'll be fined 150 euros for swimming in it. All the guys fell off the sliding chair while rowing. We did rock-climbing next. I was already pooped from the rowing so I fell off very fast. Finally it was aerobics. I suck, 'nuff said.

Then we had lunch at the Sports Centre Cafe. They charge 6.50 euros for everything on their menu. I ordered a beef lasagna and took lots and lots of salad. Salads were free... I can't believe I filled my whole plate, I can't believe I finished my whole plate, AND I CANNOT believe that their salads tasted better than the lasagna. The salad was excellent, might I add. If only it wasn't so expensive, I'd be having my lunch there everyday!

At 2pm, we gathered at the O'reilly Hall for the official welcoming ceremony. Upon arrival, we were given a UCD official scarf, a small cookbook and a small booklet containing welcoming statements by the members of the UCD Student Union. At the time, seniors entertained us with the UCD choir while we awaited the arrival of the VIPs.

The choir had some pretty good singers. there was a plump girl with a powerful voice. She lead quite a lot of the songs. If I were to compare, she sounded like those Disney Princesses singing in showtunes. But there were (intentional or not, I wasn't sure) tmes when her voice became very hoarse and she sounded like a witch instead. Then, there was another girl that only lead during the final parts of the last song. She dragged a very high note for 10-15 seconds, which was the only I remembered from her. Finally, there was a male singer who had a deep charming voice but should learn to control the volume! He almost completely covered all the other singers when he sang with them.

I did not pay attention to the background singers. Sorry.

Then came the UCD teaching staff as well as the heads of the university. 5 people came up to speak, with our Vice-president of UCD being the funniest, constantly joking about his Canadian wife and daughters. Poor wife and kids... As for our Student Union president, his speech was so fast, we didn't even have time to laugh at his jokes.

Following that was the International Student Orientation. We got another scarf! We listened to the Vice-president talk again followed by the head of the International Students Office. Finally, we listened to a brief history of UCD and its importance in Ireland. Booooooring...

After that, we were dismissed.