Caoimhe - Study USA Programme

Study USA was, without a doubt, the most transformative year of my life, and it is an experience I know I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Memorable moments

One of my most memorable experiences was attending my first American football game, which was the Mayor's Cup between King's College and Wilkes University. It was an exciting introduction to American college sports and the atmosphere surrounding the rivalry. However, the game ended up being interrupted by a thunderstorm and had to be rescheduled, which made the experience even more memorable.

Another highlight was taking part in a student volunteering trip over fall break. A group of eleven students and I drove to Baltimore, Maryland, to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake. We helped with a variety of tasks in the homes, including painting ceilings, framing doors, and trimming floorboards. Habitat for Humanity is one of the better-known charities in the world, but this volunteering trip showed me the intricacies of what they really do.

Campus Life and Culture

One of the biggest differences between studying at King's College and Ulster University was the student experience. As an Ulster student, I commute to university in Belfast, meaning that my experience is largely centred around attending classes and then travelling home. In contrast, while studying at King's College, I lived on campus in student dorms, which allowed me to become much more involved in campus life and the wider university community. King's offered a wide range of on-campus activities and events that encouraged students to socialise and get involved outside of the classroom. I was able to take part in activities such as therapy dog sessions, painting events, and cultural celebrations, including El Día de los Muertos. Living on campus meant that these opportunities were much more accessible and helped create a stronger sense of community and belonging.

Building Connections

One of the biggest challenges I struggled with was making meaningful connections at the beginning of my time in America. Although I was friendly with many people, I often felt like an outsider and found it difficult to develop close friendships. I compared my experience to the Instagram stories of other Study USA participants and wondered how they seemed to be making friends, going out for coffee, and taking weekend trips while I was still struggling to settle in.

However, this discomfort pushed me to step further outside my comfort zone. I began introducing myself to new people, asking classmates to make plans and saying yes to every opportunity. I tried new things, including indoor rock climbing and attending campus events alone, which ultimately led me to meet some of my closest friends today.

Lasting Friendships

Once I accepted that moving to a new country to study abroad was not going to be a seamless transition and stopped putting pressure on myself to have a best friend from day one, I found it much easier to meet new people and make friends. Over time, I formed extremely close friendships with many people whom I still keep in contact with today. One of my American friends recently took her first international trip to visit me in Ireland, which demonstrates the meaningful friendships that Study USA gives you the opportunity to form.

Exploring the USA

I had the opportunity to travel to several different states during my time in America. I travelled to Chicago for Thanksgiving with other Study USA participants, which was a great opportunity to catch up and share our experiences of life on our separate campuses so far. During this trip, I became close friends with the other girls and subsequently travelled to other states with them throughout the year, including New York, South Carolina and Florida.

After our second semester ended, one of my friends who was also on the programme and I took a trip around the West Coast, visiting San Francisco, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and Los Angeles. In San Francisco, we cycled across the Golden Gate Bridge. Visiting Las Vegas was particularly special, as both our parents had visited there twenty years earlier. Taking part in Study USA allowed me to experience parts of America that I may not otherwise have had the opportunity to visit.

Advice for Future Explorers

I would encourage students thinking about studying abroad to go for it and apply. Don't let nerves or uncertainty prevent you from taking an opportunity that could completely change your life, as it did mine. My biggest piece of advice is to embrace every opportunity and say yes as much as possible. Studying abroad can open so many unexpected doors, whether through a new experience, an opportunity you would not have had at home, or simply meeting someone from a different continent who will become one of your best friends, someone you might never have met otherwise.