By Grace Clarke (Psychology, University of Maryland, United States)

After travelling the States for a month over winter break, and saying goodbye to a good portion of my friendship group (who were only here a semester), I have to say I was slightly apprehensive about my second semester at Maryland.

I knew that things would be different as a couple of my closest friends had left. However, I needn’t have worried as the friendships I had made in first semester grew even closer and stronger. We spent a lot more quality time together, often just hanging out at each other’s dorms/apartments/houses. The second semester was much more “tame”, but I had tried the frat parties and such, and decided I was happy to avoid them and spend time with my good friends.

I utilised the gym more, as the facilities were incredible, and they were included in the tuition fees. I soon got very bored of the diner food, so I ate out as much as I could, and we had weekly meals at my German friends’ house, which was a delicious break from the same old diner food.

I managed to fit a few trips in during the semester. One of which was Spring Break. Disappointingly for some, I do not have typical crazy Spring Break stories like you see in films!Two of my friends and I went to Myrtle Beach and Charleston in South Carolina. We had a few days taking in the sun at the beach, then we explored the city. Charleston is lovely and well worth a trip if you’re in that neck of the woods.

I spent a lot of time planning for my summer. I am fortunate enough to be able to travel America for a few weeks after the semester finishes, and then head to Australia and New Zealand to travel and visit friends, both from home and my time abroad. I will then go to Bali, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is safe to say, I am very excited!

I made sure to check a few things off my bucket list, including going to the top of our football stadium. The view was amazing, although sadly a bit foggy. (I will post a picture once I get round to uploading my photos onto my laptop – one of the many things on my to-do list!). I also got to check out some cool venues in DC with some of my friends who are really into going to small concerts and exploring new artists.