From UoN to UGA...

Howday Y’all!

(If you’re planning on studying in one of the Southern States in America, y’all better get used to saying y’all!)

My name is Amy and I have been studying American and Canadian Studies at Notts Uni for the past 2 years. A theatre fanatic and a confessed chatterbox, I love reading, acting, partying and America! (obviously!)

^This picture was taken on my Birthday 2 weeks ago (which I spent in Georgia). In the picture are some of my new friends, a Brazilian, an Aussie and a lad from Devon. 

These past two years I have been swallowed up by all the American culture that we have studied on the course, and found I was harboring a secret love affair with a country I had never visited. (Well, excluding a Disney Land Florida trip when I was 16 months old, but that barely counts!) I loved the enthusiasm that Americans have, and I was eager to test out the myths of Southern hospitality and their famous fried chicken recipes! I furthermore could not help but be influenced by the fact it’s sunny for most of the year in the southern states!

I understand how far away studying abroad feels when you’re sat in halls of first year, desperately praying you get that 55% acceptance grade! I honestly never thought I would be here! But here I am, sat in my beautiful little dorm room on the 5^th floor, with a view of most of the University of Georgia’s beautiful campus, on yet another sunny evening.

My accommodation at the University of Georgia! ^

My destination choice was easy; I already knew I wanted to study in a southern university, and not just for the reasons I stated earlier. I wanted to do my dissertation on something involving American racism, and where better to approach the subject than in the birthplace of Martin Luther King?

I have been at the University of Georgia for over a month now, having arrived at the end of July to undertake International Orientation Week. And WHAT.A.WEEK! Granted, it isn’t the drunken fresher’s week of UoN, but it is honestly the next best thing! We had a pool party, a beach trip, a ‘cook out’ and I met some Aussies, fellow Englishmen, several Brazilians, a French girl, and a crazy Spanish girl who has turned into my best friend!

^All the International Students!

After the first week, we had a week to move into our permanent accommodation and get used to the campus before classes started the week later. I am now into Week 5 of classes and I have already read five book, done 2 exams and 4 papers. But don’t be disheartened, the papers were only 2 pages long, the exams were ten multiple choice questions and the books were short but really interesting! Indeed, the work load here is really different to what we have at Notts, but in my opinion it is easier and it keeps you on track.

^In this week off we decided to go White Water Rafting!

I have met a lot of Americans in class and I have had some incredible discussions on race in present day America in my two African American Studies and with my roommate. I hope to continue exploring race in present day America throughout the year; I have even joined the NAACP! (National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People)

I am hoping to take a Masters in American Studies and then go onto teach American History in the States. With this dream in mind, I am currently volunteering at a local community centre a short distance from my University to help disadvantaged children. This too has been so rewarding. The children might be a bit of a handful but it is teaching me a lot about American culture.

So, if I have succeeded in persuading you to come to UGA then let me give you a quick lesson in some of the quirky cultural differences… Georgia is a lovely state, and the people are very polite, so do not be surprised to be referred to as Sir or Maam, even by the other students! Also, do not come here expecting to wear cute summery dresses every day, the girls here wear gym shorts, trainers and very long t-shirts, it’s so easy! The meal plan at UGA is also really delicious, but just remember guys… when you ask for chips, you’re going to get crisps, so ask for fries! Oh, and do not be surprised if you become the most popular person in your class, Americans love the English accent! (Even if most of them do think that England and Great Britain are the same thing – that Scotland and Wales are in England!)

Just one more thing before I finish, American college football is HUGE here! So if you come to UGA, you WILL be a ‘dawg’. (yes, spelt that way!) I went to my first football game yesterday afternoon and I could not believe the atmosphere or the amount of effort that went into it! There was a massive band performance, cheerleaders, dancers… you name it! And of course, everyone was painted in red and wearing some sort of Georgia Bulldawgs attire. Granted, the game is very long and confusing, but the 92,000 fellow fans screaming at the top of their voices for four hours make a sweltering day in the sun the best experience of your life!

Me, my roommate and our friend Lucas at the Game \/

I have so much more I would love to share with you but I do not want to bore you. I hope you have enjoyed by short piece on why deciding to study in America has so far been the best decision I have ever made. If you do decide to come here, then persevere with the masses of paper work and ‘adminy’ things you need to get through, I promise you it will be work it!