Ellie-Rose Glover - Butler University, Indiana

ISEP  Study Abroad Programme 2024/25

"I had the most amazing time experiencing an American university - the Greek life, sports like basketball and football and things like Homecoming were so cool!"

America has a lot more of a campus style life. Butler was like its own small town, it had all its own facilities, dining halls and residence halls and the campus felt like a different world! When I first arrived I was nervous to meet people especially as I was turning 21 a month after moving and I was worried that I wouldn't have anyone to celebrate with - but I made the most amazing friends on day 1 and they threw me an entire party and it was a very special moment for me.I made so many amazing friends, both American and international.

The international community at Butler was fantastic and so welcoming.I travelled to visit friends I had made previously with the Camp America program. I went to Chicago for Christmas with my family who came to visit, North Carolina for thanksgiving and then Illinois for spring break.

If I had any advice it would be Go for it! It creates a whole other element to your life and it helps you figure out how to navigate life. You create a whole other life with people and places and it will stay with you forever.

I go back to visit America and the amazing friends I have there makes it feels closer to home that it actually it.

I recommend you go to NFL and NBA games, they are the most entertaining experiences and it's so American! Immerse yourself in your college, join Greek life, join clubs and societies and go to all the events, it helps you create  life there and meet people!

America is as close to home as Derry is for me now!