Jack Dalzell - Carlow University, USA

Study USA 2024/25

"A truly redefining, lifelong memorable moment - one that will continue to shape me as I grow and continue to adventure the World"

New Surroundings

The differences between my host institution and Ulster were massive! It was such a stark difference, for instance my institution could only hold under 1,000 people on campus  which is smaller than my secondary school, and classrooms only fit 15-20 people at a maximum! I lived on campus and everything was in a few feet away from my room, it was a lot smaller than Ulster and a lot more close knit, it was absolutely amazing!

Memorable Moments

The whole study abroad in itself is a memorable moment! I will continue to carry every experience and every memory with my for my entire life. Whether it was simple pizza and movie nights out in front of the fire, or going to my first baseball and basketball game, or travelling around the country - everything is memorable for me.

To highlight some of my memorable moments, my first one would have to be stepping off the plane, and getting a whirlwind of excitement and adrenaline running through my veins - which was further accentuated by pulling up to my dorm room for the first time, not knowing, but excited for the future that laid ahead of me in there - and all the memories to be made in that one building.

Driving down the California Coastal Highway with 30 degree weather, and stopping along the ocean and just taking in all the scenery, to walking around Washington D.C and seeing monuments and buildings I only use to see in the movies, such as the Lincoln Memorial or the White House!

Everything from the second I left Northern Ireland, to the second I landed back in Northern Ireland was a memorable moment for me.

Similarities and Differences

A massive difference in the culture is the attitude towards sport games in America, even small home/away university games - seeing cheerleaders, t-shirt launchers, mascots running up to me - it was absolutely crazy to completely experience a very different culture to the sports games at home, whilst they are still fun, they are nothing compared how the American's do it!

This is followed by the culture differences of students and the way university students act towards their institution! If I came home and saw everyone wearing Ulster jumpers, I would be shocked, but in my American institution - I was the odd one out for the first few weeks for not owning one, now its all I wear. Their campuses operate very differently, whilst they may be smaller and more compact - living on campus for one example, is a huge culture change - having therapy dogs come into class, or walking out onto the grass and having massage therapists and a bouncy castle, was definitely a culture difference!

But like all things, we all have our similarities, and I found the main similarities is the love of socially interacting and exploring and adventuring, and always wanting to be on the go - whilst I was surrounded by a whole new culture, it was comforting to be surrounded by polite and friendly people who were culturally interested in being as active as my friends at home would be!

Overcoming Challenges

As expected with any study abroad or new experience - there are always challenges, however I found it wasn't the challenge that defined me, rather it was how I approached it and resolved it. Some primary 'typical' challenges are homesickness and culture shock - after all, I did just step off a plane 4,000 miles away. The best way to overcome homesickness and culture shock is by opening up and confiding in those around you, instead of making culture shock a challenge and overwhelming, I turned it into a joke amongst my friends, we compared and contrasted what was a shock to them and myself, and simply laughed it off - it helped me not take it too seriously and become acclimated with it, but even more so it helped knowing that others understood and were there to help me through it, same with the homesickness - and after a few weeks of settling, I completely forgot I had those challenges.

The other challenge to note is the academic change, I went from sitting in a lecture hall of 200 people at Ulster, to sitting in a classroom of 10 other students who were at a very different academic standpoint than myself, but that's expected! Luckily my host institution was anticipating this challenge, and they were there for me every step of the way - helping me get acclimated and confident to the point where I was performing at the level of every other student.

Beyond Campus

I found once I left home, I was immediately hit with the travel itch. I meticulously planned my university schedule to only be in classes Monday-Wednesday, allowing me to run straight out of class on a Wednesday afternoon and to the airport/Amtrak station/Greyhound station to adventure to a new place! My travel ranged from other places in my State by the Amtrak trains to go visit another StudyUSA participant, all the way to flying across the country to California renting a car to drive from the San Franscisco through Yosemite National Park down to Los Angeles completing the 'Pacific One Coastal Highway'!

I loved travelling, and I made the usage of my time and VISA there - collecting thousands of air miles to continue travelling!

Essential things to do

Travel travel travel! Honestly, if I could have squeezed more travel in, I would. Start local and travel around your own city/State, which I did - my friends and I rented AirBnB's across the country, even in my own city to have more access and familiarity with the surrounding neighbourhoods, and hidden gems in the city. Then broadening out and adventuring all over the country. I genuinely think if you are able to travel, then you should take full opportunity of it.

For more local things to do - experiencing the American dream and lifestyle is such a fun way to get acclimated! I loved going to events we wouldn't get or see at home, starting at sports games such as baseball, basketball, football (their version, not ours), and even home/away sports games! As sports games, utilising the good weather for continuous walking/hiking adventures, BBQing, boating and just hopping in the car and adventuring to any place we can find - it is such a massive country that it is difficult to stay in one place!

Advice to Others

Just do it! If you are even thinking, contemplating, or it was just a split second thought - just do it!

I ripped off the plaster and submitted my application form, instead of deliberating and arguing back and forth with myself - after all, what convincing do you need for a fully funded year abroad? It is completely redefining in every sense, you will grow and change in ways you never expect, and you will thank yourself for it when you return home. You will experience challenges, setbacks - but they will be sorely outnumbered by the amount of high's and memories you will make from being abroad, if I could, I genuinely would do it all over again. Once you start traveling and adventuring, you will never want to stop!