Coming Home

Nine graduate students, from all 'round the Earth,
(From differing cultures, and countries of birth)
Though their majors were different, shared one thing in kind--
The simple desire to strengthen their minds
In a beautiful city, on a breathtaking coast--
Three sprawling sand beaches, this city did boast,
With a clear cobalt sky, and a bright blazing sun,
Uniting the Earth's living creatures as one,
As it shines on the people, warms the world from above,
Reflecting the spirit of acceptance and love.

For, no one is judged in this magical place,
Whatever their accent, religion, or race.
Whether Aussie, Canadian, Asian, whatever--
At this school in this city, we all come together,
And cast off our differences, polish our trades--
In this city named Wollongong, friendships are made.
So, as for these students, they were very excited,
And when they were accepted, all nine were delighted!

So the students departed for fair Wollongong,
But when they arrived, something went very wrong!
The uni was tangled in miles of red tape,
From its toes to its ears, and it could not escape!
For their home stood completed, across from the station,
But the government's dawdling caused massive frustration!
With the contract not ready, no one could move in,
Creating a battle nobody could win!

Head Alison Hemsley had to think on her feet--
Students' lives in the balance, she knew that defeat
Just wasn't an option, so she found a solution,
'Twas imperfect in nature, design, execution--
International House had a few vacant spaces,
And although it was one of the more rustic places,
The students adjusted, made friends, found their way,
But after two weeks, they could no longer stay!
With the undergrads coming, and the Manor still closed,
The red tape wound tighter--what could be proposed
To make everyone happy, poor Alison wondered?
She couldn't believe how the city had blundered!

But being a doer, she didn't lay blame,
On the city, for playing this terrible game!
So, quickly, she grouped these nine students by gender,
And found a motel, 'till the contract was rendered.
No timeline was given, it was up in the air,
Alison didn't like this, for she really cared
For the students, who'd spent way too long in transition,
While waiting around for the council's decision!
So, she swung and she hacked, with her verbal machete,
But despite all her efforts, it still wasn't ready!
The council was stalling, the students were steamed,
Of such a catastrophe, no one had dreamed!

After six hellish days, and many false starts,
The upcoming move shimmered deep in the hearts
Of the students, camped out at the Keiraview house,
Where one saw a cockroach as big as a mouse!
As multiple days passed without any news,
Their beautiful Manor, they thought they would lose!
But one Thursday evening, of the I-House bush dance,
The students met Alison Hemsley by chance
In the lobby, with news that assuaged all their sorrow--
The Manor was open! They'd be moving tomorrow!

The students all cheered, as they raced off to pack,
As the weight of the tension rolled clear off their backs!
They moved in the next morning, and set up their house,
And despite all the times that they'd previously groused,
They were thrilled and ecstatic, to live in this place,
Where no one is judged by their culture or race,
Where the bright-coloured walls and the stunning high ceilings
Give hope, inspiration, and positive feelings,
Where cultures converge in their hunger for knowledge--
They were ever so honoured to open this college.

So, now, looking back on this pivotal day,
I, as one of these students, have something to say:
Life may not be perfect, but when something goes wrong
(As it did, in this city of fair Wollongong),
There's always an upside, a ray of sunlight,
For when one thing is wrong, many things can be right!
Conflict can build character, friendships can bloom
In grim situations, where you think you are doomed.
For, we shared this adventure, came through it together,
And now, I just know, any storm, we can weather!
So, welcome, my friends, to our humble abode,
At the end of a very tumultuous road.
As we stand in the garden, and salute victory,
This moment will always be worth it to me!