A Year In The USA | Weeks 1 & 2

So two weeks ago I made the biggest move of my life so far! Instead of studying in the UK for my second year, I decided to take a year abroad at Utah State University (USU). It is honestly one of the most beautiful places I've been. I think I'm going to have an amazing year here! Below is a quick Q&A with a few questions I have been asked regarding this, before moving onto what I've been doing so far!

Why did I decide to study abroad?
I have always wanted to take a year abroad so I told myself if I was given the opportunity, I would grab it. I want to experience a different culture, and whilst it may not be that different from that of the UK, there's still a different atmosphere, different people and different scenery. Plus, a year in the USA is integrated into my course provided I got the grades, which I did!

Is it more expensive to study abroad?
This is what surprised me. With regards to Tuition fees, I didn't have to pay USU as I am classed as an exchange student. Also, instead of paying the £9,000 a year which I paid in my first year, I only pay £1,250, a fraction of the fees! With regards to Student Finance, I got 30% more that I did in my first year, plus a Travel Grant. So all in all, it actually cost me less to study abroad! Be sure to check requirements/benefits/fees with your own university and department though.

What grades did I have to get to study abroad?
For me, we only had to pass the year, i.e. get 40%. However, I do know that the Maths Department at my UK university is changing it's study abroad requirements so that students need to get 60% in order to take a year abroad.

So! Moving onto what I've done in Logan, Utah in the past two weeks!

Week 1
My mum, boyfriend and I flew into Salt Lake City Airport after a 17-hour journey from London. We stayed at one of the airports hotels overnight because we were so tired and it would have been another 2-hour coach ride from SLC to Logan, where USU is located. It was HOT when we got there, a lovely contrast to what the weather was like in London...and, basically, we fell straight asleep. So after a night in Salt Lake, we jumped onto the coach to Logan. This is when I really saw the beauty of the state; there were mountains running along both sides of the freeway the whole journey! When we arrived at the university we settled into the hotel and I checked into my dorm, which I must say, was a lot nicer than expected. My roommate had already settled in and was there to greet me which was nice! The rest of the day was spent in Wal-mart and ShopKo buying bedroom supplies so that I would have more than a mattress to sleep on!

The next two days were spent in International Student Orientation, where I met loads of International and American students. There were lots of activities, talks and information sessions over those two days and I really enjoyed everything that we did! The rest of the week was spent trying out different breakfast bars, setting up a US bank account and mobile plan, applying for on-campus jobs (which you can do with a J-1 visa given you've got authorisation) and finding out about more courses and clubs. Aside from my compulsory classes (which my UK university specified I needed to take) I have also signed up for Spanish classes and Aerobic Kickboxing classes! The array of class options over this side of the pond is MUCH bigger than the UK, which is fantastic! I really wish it was an option in the UK too!

Week 2

The past week has been spent going to classes and re-scheduling, because I realised that I'd actually already done some of the modules back in the UK...oops! It was also spent going to USU's Week Of Welcome activities like Movie on the Quad (USU's main open area), Day on the Quad (where you sign up to clubs and societies), USU's Slip'n'slide on Old Main Hill and loads of other fun stuff!

But... best of all this week is that a group of international students and I are going to Yellowstone National Park for Labor Day weekend! I am super excited about going because it'll be my first taste of the USA's National Parks! Updates soon y'all!

A Guide To Amsterdam

Place: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Hotel: Novotel Amsterdam City

Booked with: Crystal Travel

Price: £179 p/person including flights, hotel and breakfast

Spending money: €200 p/person (on average)

Amsterdam. Known for it's great history and beautiful canals, but more commonly known for it's herbs and explicit nightlife. We went for 4 days at the beginning of August with 6 friends and it may possibly be the best city break I've ever had. The scenery, the waffles, the atmosphere; need I say more? The only downside to the break (in my eyes) were the people; nearly every Dutch person I came across was rude! But hey, that might have just been me because everyone else didn't notice it! Anyway, without further ado, here are my tips for having an amazing Dam break!

• Visit the Museum Quarter- We only spent about an hour here, but I wish we allocated a little more time to actually go in the museums rather than just looking in from the outside. It is usually very busy around midday/early afternoon so I would suggest to go in the morning. Remember to take a picture of the famous I amsterdam sign!

• Eat loads of waffles!- Holland's patisseries certainly made our trip even better than we anticipated, the Dutch sweet stuff might even knock Paris' off my top stop! My favourite was a waffle topped with white chocolate, strawberries and cream. Heaven! The best one we found was just off Dam Square down the little road where NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky is situated. 

• Visit Anne Frank's House- We didn't get to go in, purely because we got there too late and the line was a 3 hour wait! If this is definitely something you want to do, make sure you go at least an hour before opening. 

• Go on the Lover's boat cruise- There are a few different ones, but we went on the one which took you right past all the main points of interest such as Anne Frank's House, Grand Central Station, the largest floating Chinese restaurant in Europe and the museum quarter. It is usually around €25 p/person but we got on at the last minute so got a discounted price of €18 p/person! Well worth the money!

• Have a drink at Wonderbar- The coffee shop which also sells herbal shisha. I'm sure there are many more but this one we particularly liked. The bar staff were nice, kept the tables clean and the lighting made the experience even more surreal. The only downside was the music...the music was strange. 

• Have a stroll through the Red Light District- Arguably the most famous attraction in Amsterdam. You'll find it awkward at first, but you'll soon get used to it! 

• Go to the Artis Royal Zoo!- One word: Banter. Pure banter. The zoo is a place we nearly always visit when we're away, but it's because there's so many amazing animals to see! And if you go with people who you enjoy being around, it just makes it all the more fun, humorous and... you guessed it, banterous (is that even a word?!)

A word of wisdom and warning: The hotel we stayed in was lovely and modern, but the booking agency, Crystal Travel, failed to mention to us (it was an over-the-phone booking) that we would have to put a €70 deposit p/room just in case we used the minibar/other facilities. This cut into our precious spending money and put a huge bummer on the beginning of the holiday. So #1, make sure you bring a little extra money and #2, make sure you read all the terms and conditions/make the agency read them out to you. Yes it's long, but it might just save you a huge shock.