Iva Slavova. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Course: Structural and Architectural Engineering

Transcription

1 Iva Slavova Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Course: Structural and Architectural Engineering 1. Name of host University and country University of South Carolina, United States 2. Orientation and Welcome arrangements at host University There was a compulsory online orientation for all international students a couple of weeks before the beginning of the school year. There was a person waiting for me at the airport who helped me getting to the university and moving into my accommodation. I had to arrive a week before the beginning of the semester and throughout this week there were several events organized for all the exchange students. Everyone had an assigned buddy (a student from the university who has been studying abroad before) who helped us with the registration process and showed us around. There was a welcome dinner for everyone where I had the chance to meet some people and make some friends, as well as an ice cream social event with the same purpose. A trip to Walmart was arranged so that we could buy all the things we needed. The week ended with a compulsory orientation for all exchange students where general guidance according our studying there was provided. Overall good orientation and welcome arrangements were provided. 3. Accommodation arrangements at host University. Did they suit you?- I was allocated a room in South Quad, where I was having my own room and was sharing a bathroom with one more person and kitchen with three more people. I was happy with what I got because I wanted to live with americans so that I can fully experience the different culture. I liked the fact that I was in an apartment style accommodation so I could have more privacy. The bad thing about it was that it was harder to meet people because this type of accommodation is given to the upper classes so they don t attend most of the events that have the goal to help you meet people. 4. Teaching Styles & Assessment Styles how did they compare with Strathclyde? For each class I was given two midterms and a final exam throughout the semester. There was a homework assignment for each class and a bigger assignment like a research paper or project. The overall grade is divided over everything, giving you the chance to make a good grade even if you fail one of the assessments. Some lecturers give a grade for participation and your grade can drop down if you don t go to class. This way they try to encourage the students to go to class regularly. Most classes have a small number of people so that the lecturer can have a discussion with the students while teaching. The way classes are taught there is a way to encourage

2 constant studying throughout the semester because you have been tested every week. Some lecturers like to give surprising quizzes as well. 5. Workload how did it compare with Strathclyde?- I had more assignments and exams compared to Strathclyde and less time to prepare for them, but going to class regularly and doing my homework helped a lot and I didn t have to spend a lot of time studying for the exams because I was learning most of the things in class. 6. Social Scene (compared with Strathclyde/Glasgow) A very important thing was the football season. There were football games each Saturday during the first semester and before each game everyone is tailgating which includes drinking and socialising before everyone heads to the game. This is happening around the stadium. Other social activities are the basketball, volleyball and baseball games. Most students live on Campus and there are a lot of coffee shops and restaurants on campus where it is really easy to meet people. The university is constantly trying to engage the students by organising fun shows and projecting new movies in the theatre where popcorn and drinks are provided for the students. All the students go to Five Points where there is a big variety of bars and clubs and it s cheap. There are some annual events with big celebrations like St. Patricks day and Carolina Cup (girls have to be dressed in colourful summer dresses and big hats and people watch horse racing) (At one of the football games and Carolina Cup)

3 7. Sports Facilities - The sports facilities on campus are unbelievable. There are a couple of fitness centres. The biggest one includes an outside and inside swimming pool, a huge gym, and rooms for fitness classes, a climbing wall, sand volleyball area, table tennis, squash rooms and spa facilities. Outside there are many soccer fields. 8. Clubs and Societies- There are a lot of organizations (sports and academics) on campus that constantly organise events. For example, I joined the sorority Alpha Gamma Delta and the Fashion board club. This way I had the chance to meet more people and at the same time take part of some of the events happening on campus. Some of the events are Dance Marathon, Colour Run, Home Coming, Greek Week, and Spring Fashion week. Alpha Gamma Delta Initiation + Alpha Gamma Delta House + Spring Fashion Week

4 9. How did the Alumni Fund Scholarship help you? - The fund helped me by giving me the opportunity to travel around U.S. and explore a different culture. I was able to enjoy my experience abroad to the maximum. I was able to take part of the university s events and represent my home university in the best possible way. Some of the places I visited with my new friends were New York City, Orlando and Panama City beach for Spring break. 10. Do you feel your exchange has broadened your horizons if yes, in which ways? Yes, I met people from everywhere; my closest friend was from Australia, for example. Being in America didn t just show me the American cultures, but also many others because this was a university where people from all around choose to attend. I did a lot of travelling while I was there and saw places I couldn t even imagine exist. This was the most amazing year of my life, tried and experienced things I would never usually do; met interesting people and made life lasting friendships. Being abroad was a great way to become more self-confident, independent and responsible. Being away from home and friends was not easy, but it was motivating to explore and learn, to meet people and make friends. Studying abroad gave me the

5 chance to explore my options, to decide what the best path for my career is by being close to a different working environment. Meeting people having different background from mine made me want to enhance my own capability.