Land of Lincoln

Hi! I'm Katie and I study American and Canadian History, Literature and Culture at Nottingham. Originally from a sleepy village in Somerset, I've traded cows for corn and arrived at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for my third year. 

Late night visit to the U of I sign

I've always been fascinated by the global superpower status of the US, and secretly wondered if it really is like films - so what better way to really find out than go and study there? The University of Illinois is a campus town - its hard to say which sprang from which, but it really is a huge campus and it has a full blown shopping/dining/bar street in the middle of it - the entire town is a self contained work and play hybrid, unlike Nottingham's separate campus - city vibe. 

I've been here now for just over a week, classes started yesterday and I have just set out all my assessments and assignments on a calendar, and I can confirm that I have at least one test (but also often a presentation and paper) due every week until the end of term... I can confirm that I'll be kept busy!  

The overarching, all consuming first thing I've noticed is the heat. Today its meant to be around 35 degrees with 90% humidity - Imagine you're living in a swimming pool changing room, combined with a pre heated oven, and you're somewhere close. I believe this weather is actually unusual, and we're currently on severe weather alert, but used as I am to a bit of rain and a nice breeze, this is all consuming and h.o.t. Campus will be much more fun to walk around when it doesn't feel like you're running a marathon! On the upside however, buses are free and air conditioned, as is the gym and the dining hall... I can't comment on where I'll be spending most time, however.

The cliché goes that Americans love the English accent, and I can confirm this - I don't think I've ever had anyone before just want to hear me talk! There is a language barrier, however, and I can see myself adopting American words just so they understand what I mean when I say 'lift', 'pavement', 'jumper', or ask for 'plasters'. 

This year I'm hoping that I'll be able to really immerse myself in the American experience - the teaching, lessons, and different exams, and try as much as possible to live like a local here, finding the best places to eat, visit and shop. 

During our welcome week here we had an 'Illinois sights and sounds' segment, which took place in the football stadium, and we got to see the marching band, cheerleaders, and learn some of the school chants and traditions. To say it was an eye-opener is a huge understatement - It certainly was like being in a film, and the American girl sitting next to me was amazed when I said all we did at half time of a football match was get some food and wait for it to get started again… The marching band (huge and incredibly good, they even play in formation) came out again at Quad day (freshers fair on steroids)… Its certainly something that I won't get tired of!

Marching band and cheerleaders

 I can't wait to start travelling around the States more - my parents came with my on the way out and we looked at Boston and Chicago, both incredible cities - but I'm already planning a weekend in St Louis and thanksgiving on the East Coast... I'll keep you updated on those! 

While the start of this journey has been somewhat warmer than expected (and will probably be colder when it hits -15 in winter), its something that I've wanted to do since I was 17, and deliberately signed up for when I applied for University, choosing the International study choice. From what I've seen so far, its a decision I won't regret!