North Carolina State University
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Making your Host University Feel like Home
By Phoebe, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States When i first landed in Raleigh, I was honestly a mix of emotions- excited, nervous and slightly terrified that i’d packed the wrong power adapter. Studying abroad at NC state sounded amazing in theory, but stepping into a new country, culture and campus all at once? That’s a lot. But, it didn’t take long for NC State to start feeling like home. Orientation week was a blur of new faces, campus tours, and icebreaker games that made me forget everyone’s name five minutes later. But it was also where i met some of my closest friends- other international students who…
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What a Year Abroad at NC State Taught Me.
By Saskia Perez-Cooke, North Carolina State University, United States I spent my year abroad at NC State University, and it was an unforgettable experience. As with any experience there are highs and lows, but here are a few reflections and bits of advice to anyone considering or preparing for a year abroad in the states (or anywhere really!) Roommates One of my biggest concerns when I was preparing to come to NC State was the sharing a room situation. But if there is one thing I can say about this is that your roommate doesn’t define your study abroad experience! If you don’t click with your roommate immediately I wouldn’t…
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New York City on a budget!
By Saskia Perez-Cooke, North Carolina State University, United States New York City has a reputation for being super expensive which can definitely put some students off from travelling there. But as I was nearing the end of my time of my study abroad in the states, I knew I would regret not making the trip to NYC. But fortunately I found that a trip to NYC does not necessarily have to drain your bank account- it can be done on a budget, and this blog post is here to show you how! When to visit: The cheapest time of year to visit NYC tends to be in Feb/March. I would…
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From UOM to NC State: Key differences between U.K. and U.S. university systems.
By Saskia Perez-Cooke, North Carolina State University, United States. When you imagine your upcoming year abroad its easy to get caught up in the excitement of travel, new experiences and meeting people that you forget about the studying aspect of this year. Whilst the travel and people aspect of your study abroad is the most memorable part of year, hopefully understanding how the academic system works in the U.S. compared to the U.K. will help you navigate your study abroad more smoothly! Heres a breakdown of the biggest differences I experienced between UOM and NC State, and what prospective US study abroad students can generally expect:
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A guide to Washington Dc!
By Saskia Perez-Cooke, North Carolina State University, United States. Why DC? Whether you’re studying on the East Coast or simply traveling through the United States, the capital of the US, Washington, D.C. is definitely a place to add to your list. Known for its cleanliness, affordability, and diverse range of activities, D.C. was a charming weekend city break!
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My road-trip to Charleston SC + tips on how to travel cheaply in the U.S.
By Saskia Perez-Cooke, North Carolina State University, United States. 2 months into my year abroad, once I had settled into my life at NC State, I set off on my first trip out-of-state to South Carolina. As an international student on a budget I was a bit worried about how expensive travel is here; you definitely won’t find £40 flights like we have in Europe. Traveling in the South is very different, a lot more expensive and heavily car-centric, but don’t let that put you off- embracing these differences is part of the experience. This is why I have compiled what I have learnt about travelling cheaply for any future…
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Navigating a roommate at a U.S university
By Saskia Perez-Cooke, North Carolina State University, United States. With the majority of study abroad exchanges in the US having a roommate is the norm. Whilst sharing a room is a concept us at UOM are not used to and something that I was really worried about, it is fundamentally not as bad as you expect. The tips below are what I am using currently to navigate this completely new living situation.
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Preparation is key
Why preparing financially, logistically and mentally is crucial before going abroad.
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But it wasn’t my first choice?
How to overcome any initial disappointment and realise you are still going to have a great year!
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Discovering the Natural Side of the USA
A post to persuade you not to miss out on all the wild beauty the US has to offer!
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What I learnt from my first semester at NC State
A post about how group work can make or break your year, the importance of work-life balance and a newfound appreciation for just how small the world is!
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My top 3 Weekend trips from Raleigh, NC
Because I know travel is at the top of everyone's list!
