North America
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Arriving at UNC: First Impressions of Chapel Hill
By Adam Lamin, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States) Before arriving at UNC, I had already had a slightly unusual start to my year abroad. One of my friends from home came out to the US with me beforehand, and we spent a couple of weeks in Miami before eventually driving up to Chapel Hill. After that, arriving at UNC the day before orientation felt like the real beginning of the exchange. I arrived at UNC knowing absolutely no one, but strangely, I did not feel nervous at all. I expected to maybe feel overwhelmed or slightly anxious, but instead I just felt excited. I had this…
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Rockin’ around the Canadian Rockies
By Katie Dolan, McGill University, Canada Banff, you are absolutely beautiful! After a year in Montreal, a couple of friends and I decided to take a final big trip to the Canadian Rockies before our exchange was over. In early May, we went to Banff, and I can confirm that it is well and truly worth the hype. We landed in Calgary late at night, so it was very dark when we arrived in Banff, and we didn’t see much that night. The next morning, I got ready and went downstairs for breakfast where we were staying. I have never in my life made toast with such an incredible view.…
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A Brit in the Business School
During my exchange at Rutgers Business School, I took diverse business classes, developed valuable skills, and engaged in networking opportunities, whilst making some amazing friends!
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Staying Financially Stable while Studying Abroad in the US.
Phoebe Faupel, North Carolina State University, United States Studying abroad in the United States is an incredible experience, but one thing i quickly realised after arriving at NCSU was how important budgeting and financial planning really are. From food and travel to social activities and everyday essentials, costs can add up super quick if you aren’t careful. While studying abroad is definitely something to enjoy, I’ve learned that staying financially stable makes the experience far less stressful and much more manageable. Here are some of the biggest lessons I have learned about managing money while studying in the US. Budget Before You Arrive: One of the most useful things I…
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Staying Sustainable In the States
Phoebe Faupel, North Carolina State University, United States Before moving to the United States for my year abroad at North Carolina State University, I wasn’t sure how easy it would be to live sustainably compared to being at university in the UK. I expected to rely heavily on cars and thought I might struggle to maintain some of the habits I’d built at home. However, one thing that genuinely surprised me was how many opportunities there were to make environmentally conscious choices in day-to-day student life. Here are a few ways I have managed to stay sustainable while studying abroad in the States. Walking More Than You Think: Although American…
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5 Things to know Before Going to University in the States.
Phoebe Faupel, North Carolina State University, United States Studying abroad in the United States has been one of the most exciting and eye-opening experiences of my university journey so far. Moving from the UK to study at North Carolina State University came with a lot of excitement- but also plenty of surprises. If you’re thinking about doing a semester or a year abroad in the US, here are five things i wish i’d known beforehand. 1: Campus Life Really is Like the Movies Before arriving, I thought American campus culture was exaggerated in films and TV shows- but in many ways, it genuinely isn’t. College campuses in the States often…
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EAST COAST MAXXING – How to make the most of your time in the USA
By Lucy Kyle, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, USA The USA is massive and it can be overwhelming to decide what you want to see and where you want to go, so I have put together a guide of weekend trips you can do on the east coast to maximise your time there! NEW YORK CITY, NY First and foremost, New York City, there is so much to explore here and it is super easy access from New Jersey as well as many other states via public transit – NJ Transit, Amtrak and Flixbus. Once you are there it is also easy to get around via the Subway! New…
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Maintaining Health and Fitness While Abroad
Phoebe Faupel, North Carolina State University, United States Moving abroad to study at North Carolina State University has been an exciting experience, but one thing i realised was how important it is to look after both your physical and mental health while adjusting to a completely new environment. With busy schedules, social events, travelling and academic pressures, it can be easy to fall out of healthy routines. However, staying active and maintaining balance has genuinely helped me enjoy my year abroad far more. Here are some of the ways I have stayed fit and healthy while studying at NC State. Make Use of Campus Facilities: I immediately noticed at NCSU…
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Reflecting on my Year Abroad
By Lucy Kyle, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, USA Sitting in my dorm room on a breezy Sunday night in New Jersey, I cannot help but think about my year as it is coming to a close. It is May now, and my final week of classes and exams are starting tomorrow, I can’t believe how fast this semester, and entire year has gone by. For as long as I have been thinking of going to university I have been excited for my year studying abroad. Back in 2022 when I was first writing my UCAS applications I didn’t know what I wanted to do, let alone where I…
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A Parting Gift
Scarlett Gilligan, UDLAP, Mexico When we think about sustainability, we often think green, recycling, taking public transport, but often it can be so much more than that. Being on this year abroad, I feel like I have been given so much and after speaking to some of my friends, we decided we needed to give something back to the community that welcomed us so kindly. After spending a year in Cholula, with street markets calling my name, I don’t dare to think of the amount of clothes I have accumulated. I couldn’t be more thrilled to see my wardrobe beaming with colour, but my suitcase to go home isn’t so…
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A Foodie Guide to New Brunswick
If you're at Rutgers University, check out these great food spots. Honeygrow offers customizable noodle bowls, Hidden Grounds Coffee serves excellent cold brew, and O Bagel is perfect for breakfast. For comfort food, visit Stuff Yer Face, while Playa Bowls provides refreshing açai options. Don’t miss Thomas Sweet for ice cream and 7-Eleven for snacks.
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Joining Societies Abroad
By Shaw Chiba, University of California, Los Angeles, USA How to Join Going to study abroad can feel scary at first, and my first quarter at UCLA was no different. Sign up/ attend your universities’ career fair! By joining the ski and board club, and the Nikkei Student Union I was able to make amazing friends and experiences that will last me a lifetime. This was a great way to settle into university life, and ensure you aren’t getting swept up by the academic side. First trip to the beach with NSU Ski Trips! The Jackson Hole AllCal trip involved colleges from across California, we took the bus up to…
