Westminster Business School Blog University of Wisconsin Stout: My Year Abroad Experience

University of Wisconsin Stout: My Year Abroad Experience

April 16, 2013
Student Life
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When I was first told that Wisconsin was the place I’d be spending my year abroad I was disappointed, I wanted to go somewhere warm, some place that sounded cool but once I came round to the idea, I decided to make the most out of my experience. I wanted to see as much of America as possible, I wanted to experience college life the way I’d always seen it on TV and I want to experience life living with people other than my family. I remember the day before I left I was scared and questioning the whole experience! I remember even in the car my sister was convincing me it was fine that I’d have fun and that I could come home anytime if I wanted. By the time we eventually got to the airport my mum was practically pushing me onto the plane!

Stout Life:

People don’t tell you that when you move into dorms you literally need to buy everything! When I turned up in my suite it was empty my roommates hadn’t moved in…I didn’t even think about food…or home comforts like pillows and blankets. Of course this isn’t usually a problem especially in a city like London there are shops everywhere and buses to take you where ever you want to go. This was not the case in Menomonie! There are no buses…Wal-Mart is not a close walk and when you’re in a country and don’t know anyone well it can be quite a scary process. The first night was scary there are many people around…and there aren’t many people to talk to but once other student start to move in the fun begins! Once you get over the unavoidable fear with being in a country and not knowing anyone you are forced to put on a brave face, smile and meet as many people as possible. I learned more in the first week about meeting new people, surviving awkward conversations and finding the right people for me. UW-Stout is great and creating opportunities to meet new people they run lots of events to help you meet other international students and experience “American life.” One of my favourites was the State Fair it huge and you can do everything not to mention the overwhelming amount of fried food on a stick! My gosh…you can get anything as long as it’s dipped in batter and deep fried! The first week is exciting you meet so many people and the people you meet soon become your family while you’re away!

The teaching style is different and the multiple choice tests definitely are something to complain about, teachers are friendly, approachable and every engaging! As for my other classes it’s a refreshing change to be able to take on fun subjects alongside the business modules, while I was away I took classes like Rock Climbing, Piano, Badminton and even Tennis just to mix things up and definitely more relaxing. But classes are classes, travelling and living in dorms on the other hand is amazing! Silly things like cooking dinner together, having movie nights and road trips were incredible you learn so much about yourself and about life away from home.

The friends I met there were my family away from my family, they welcomed me into their lives and their homes. I love how big American holidays are Halloween, Thank-giving, Christmas…Valentine’s Day and even Easter each as big as the last and having American Roommates and living in dorms meant I got to experience each and every one of them they way Americans do.

Highlights:

Meeting friends from all over the world!
Deciding on a whim to make a road trip down to Chicago for Halloween.
Starting my new year with a solo trip to San Francisco and meeting the most amazing people.
Spontaneous trip to the Yosemite National Park before heading to Los Angeles
Spring Breaking in Dallas!
Visiting different cities all over Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Watching a Twins Games
American Football…totally don’t get it but it amazing to watch!
Frozen Margaritas in the morning
Walking on a Frozen Lake.
Last minute parties, Karaoke and Dominating Beer Pong!
Road Trips!
Must See/Do – Menomonie:
Devils Punch Bowl
Blue Devils Football Game
Walk the Red Cedar Trail
Eat Jeff’s Pizza
Go to the Bottoms
Swim in the Red Cedar River

Survival Tips:

1. Don’t go too early…I did this! Big mistake nobody is there and it is super lonely with no one to talk to. I remember the first night I cried and wanted to go home. They give you a day to come for a reason…because other people are coming that day too.
2. Make sure you pack for the year round unlike me who packed only summer clothes…biggest and a very expensive mistake!
3. Make sure you make friend with more than just other international students you are there to experience American life and trust me it will come in handy when you want to go food shopping past midnight.
4. Balance your cash out! Don’t get too excited you want it to last!
5. See as much as possible…you’ll never get this experience again…go places, get lost in cities and have your own adventure!
6. Don’t be afraid to go places alone…if you’re always waiting for someone to hold your hand you could be waiting forever! I stayed in Hostel in some places and met some amazing people. Hostels are NOT bad! They are social…always close to lots of attractions and clean!
7. Make the most of every experience, I did so many things I didn’t want to do but you learn so many things.
8. It’s a pain and you’ll probably think it’s a waste of time BUT…Keep a diary…or a blog…take pictures! Trust me you’ll want to remember everything!
9. BEWARE! The unlimited soda refills…the all you can eat meal plans and the Wisconsin cheese/beer lead to a road to disaster I have been on a diet since I got back and the weight still isn’t shifting!
10. YOU ARE ONLY YOUNG ONCE…HAVE FUN!