-
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:
-
Navigating Housing Options at the University of Florida
By Lucie Rowell, University of Florida, USA When choosing housing abroad it can seem like an increasingly daunting task the more you look into it. As someone who was a commuter student in Manchester – this was even more daunting as I had never lived anywhere other than my home! This blog will outline how I decided on where I currently live, what my key considerations were and the challenges I faced. This is a very big decision but hopefully this bit of information can answer a few questions you may have as an exchange student.
-
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!
-
Travels in the States
By Louis Cotterell, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA In my time in America I have tried to get out of campus when I can, in order to see as much of this huge country as possible. While this has been a bit of a financial strain, travel costs are manageable, and I remind myself that money is temporary, but memories are forever. We had our first long weekend a couple of weeks into the semester, and my friends and I headed down to Wilmington, a beach city in the south of the state. The North Carolina sun was burning hot, and it was great fun to rent…
You May Also Like
Pre-departure Pep Talk
Our Three Winners
Studies in Chapel Hill: the Academic Side
-
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…
-
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.
-
Arrival at UNC: Finding my Feet
By Louis Cotterell, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA After to flying to New York JFK, taking a midnight subway and bus to LaGuardia (with no mobile data), landing in North Carolina and begging the bus drivers to let me on for free, I arrived in Chapel Hill. It was a very weird feeling, knowing that no one in the entire country knows you’re there, or cares in any way. I felt very empty that first hour, wandering around the campus, taking in its beauty and the hot sun, a different kind of loneliness. Wilson Library and Main Quad
-
My First American Football Game! UF v UM
By Lucie Rowell, University of Florida, United States Now, I would not consider myself an American football fan, but this weekend may have changed my mind! I got tickets to the most sought-after game, the University of Florida versus the University of Miami (which was also the first game of the season). The crowds were huge, similar to the size of Wembley Stadium—insane to say it is college football! I got chatting to people that had come from all over Florida to come and watch this game, which made me feel that much more lucky that I was there to witness it.
-
Saying Goodbye!: Tales of a Mancunian Lost in the City of Angels
By David Sustana, University of Southern California, United States Howdy again, and for the last time, for now! If you’ve been keeping up with these blog posts throughout the past academic year, then you probably already know that the adventures that I’ve been sharing had been stretching further and further past the City of Angels, but for this last blog post, I’d like to reel things back to the place they started: South Central Los Angeles, home to the University of Southern California!
-
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas!: Tales of a Mancunian Lost in the City of Angels
By David Sustana, University of Southern California, United States Hello hello hello again, from what may just be the sunniest place on the planet! But not nearly the hottest: I’d have to give that title to Fabulous Las Vegas, where I had an absolutely surreal weekend that I thought I should share. (And, on a side note, I am aware that my adventures are beginning to exceed the scope of these blog titles.)
-
Fight on, Trojans!: Tales of a Mancunian Lost in the City of Angels
By David Sustana, University of Southern California, United States Hey from Southern California! Just wanted to update everyone on a really fun weekend that I had at USC. Today was the day of the big, annual rivalry (American!) football game between arch-rivals USC (go Trojans!) and UCLA (boo Bruins!). And let me tell you, the energy on and around campus was electric. I’d say it rivals (or, dare I say, surpasses) that of a Man City versus Man United game. But there are some pretty big differences between an English football game and an American college football game.
-
On the Road Again!: Tales of a Mancunian Lost in the City of Angels
By David Sustana, University of Southern California, United States Hey there, just checking in again from sunny Southern California! Although, I guess I should really say Northern California, as I’ve just gotten back from a wonderful road trip with some friends from Golden Gate City (a.k.a San Francisco!).
A study abroad journal by students, for students.
