Well, because the University of Illinois is so much more than Cornfields; it was my top choice of Institution when I applied for the incredible opportunity to visit the land of the free and the home of the brave. At home I'm obsessed with American T.V. shows from Greys Anatomy and Brothers and Sisters to New Girl and Friends. Having watched these from a young age I became obsessed with the phenomenon that was America, then when i got to University and had the opportunity to study it's history and literature, my American Dream was born.
I admire America greatly for their patriotism, pride for their sports teams, their optimism and determination to always fight for their rights and stand up for their beliefs, as cliche as that might sound. I believe there is no other place in the world like it so an opportunity to spend a year interacting with these people and experiencing their home and their way of life was too good to pass up. My first taste of this was offered at Quad day, which for English University Students is Freshers Fair'. All the clubs and societies have stalls on the quad and the band performed with all the pride and enthusiasm the Americans are so well known for.
Illinois was my top choice because it ticked all the boxes for the aspects of America life I wanted to experience. It is part of a football league called the Big 10 and therefore offered a fantastic American Football culture, something unique to us Brits. It boasts the biggest Greek System in the country (Fraternities and Sororities for those who don't know) which is a quintessentially American college experience that is too good to pass up, it is home to 40, 000 students to provide the 'big college experience' and it such a diverse range of courses that I would not have the opportunity to study at home.
I arrived after almost 24 hours of no sleep, onto what I could only fathom at that point was a movie set similar to that of American Pie or Beaver Falls. The Fraternity Houses, the crossroads and road signs, the novelty of where I was struck me as both amazing and overwhelming. When I checked into my halls I was sure I was in the wrong place because the dorm I was shown to resembled a hotel. I think the University was trying to impress the international students because they put some of us in a brand new hall that had been built over the summer, fit with a marble bathroom. That's right, marble!
Although I've only been here for three weeks, I've already and the opportunity to travel to the beautiful city of St. Louis in Missouri, over Labor Day Weekend. The journey started off rocky when we were stuck on a broken down bus 10 minutes before we were meant to catch up greyhound to St. Louis. Luckily my Australian roommate had the idea to hitchhike, so we flagged down a kind American gentleman who sped us to the bus terminal and refused to take any money despite us insisting. His generosity sums up how the majority of Americans I've interacted with have been so far.
In St. Louis we had the opportunity to visit the Gateway Arch, famous was symbolising the westward expansion into America (a history lesson: you're welcome). We also visited a Blues festival in Downtown St. Louis and experienced the stunning view from a rooftop bar with a 360 view of the city. This weekend I proudly put on my Orange stash and took my place amongst a stadium of cheering fans for my first American Football Game. Ever. However, I would describe it more as a show. Every time we scored a touchdown fireworks were set off in celebration. This was fairly regularly as we smashed Cincinnati 45-17. One of my favourite parts was the band who accompanied the game throughout and performed renditions of Rihanna's we found love and Carly Rae Jepson's 'Call Me Maybe' during the halftime show. I love football.
As well as further football games, I'm hoping to experience every sporting game the University offers including basketball, baseball, Ice-Hockey and Volleyball. A unique social event in the Cornfields are Barn dances which I also can't wait for as well as Halloween America. I hear they go BIG for Halloween. Away from the home base I'm hoping to do a lot more travelling both to the East and West coast as well as a few places in between. This weekend I'm actually heading to Chicago for the very first time with some friends to tick off Willis Tower, Millennium Park, Chicago Town Pizza (in Chicago) and Navy Pier. Mostly I just want to meet some amazing people and experience things I've never done before.
Well thats a little introduction to me beginning my American Dream. Hopefully a lot more exciting things to come. For now I'm gonna head to the pool and make the most of Illinois' stunning weather. Cheers for now!
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