North Carolina State University
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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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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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North Carolina State University: How to Navigate your first week
By Phoebe, North Carolina State University Leaving home and starting fresh in a new university for a year can seem like a daunting experience. Trading a familiar city, routine, and support network for somewhere completely new inevitably brings a mix of excitement and uncertainty. But stepping onto campus as North Carolina State University for the first time, I quickly realised that a year abroad isn’t just about adapting to new places- it’s about discovering a new version of yourself along the way. Arriving in Raleigh after studying at UOM felt surreal. Manchester’s usually grey skies and tightly packed streets were replaced with the sun, green campus spaces, and a distinctly…
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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.
