I realise it's been quite some time since I arrived in the US and began my year long adventure in this strange new world, but I now feel like I can actually get through a blog post without having to buy a new laptop because it has been drowned in tears!
I have to admit, it's been a tough couple of months. Settling into a new place where you have to make a brand new set of friends and get used to a new way of life and new classes (with so much work, may I add!) I now finally feel ready to share my adventures with you all (y'all HA) thus far. So here goes, two months and a week squashed into one blog post. I'll try not to make it too long!
I arrived on the 16th of August, which feels like a such a long time ago but it actually has gone quite quickly because I have been so busy, constantly doing work and finding the balance between school life and actually having a social life here. Not being 21 yet has had its downsides but we always find something to do even if we are stuck for something to do until the last minute, someone is always willing to invite us to parties or to a gathering so they can show off their new English friends! It does have its perks being an international student in America, especially being 'British.' It's always a conversation starter when you say a few words and you see the look in the other person's eyes when they realise you have an accent. Cue questions about what we have found different being in America and what the weather is actually like in England... 'Does it really rain all the time? I heard because of the weather, there are a lot of depressed people over there...' There have been a few occasions like this that I haven't really known what to say to the person in response. I think the worst has to be when a guy in the library asked me if we speak a different language in England. Well, I think the name gives it away, seeing as you all speak English, young man! Or is it American that you speak? You're never quite sure, but HOW did you get into University I might ask?
I think the main difference I have noticed here is how much people drive everywhere, in England we are used to walking 25-30 minutes to a party or to campus for lectures and that just seems very strange to people here. Granted, if you didn't have a car here you wouldn't be able to get anywhere because everything is so spread out. Another difference is how sweet a lot of the food is; bread for example - why does it have to taste like cake? We have now been here long enough to find the good bread but it's still a shock to bite into something you think will be savoury and just being utterly disappointed because of the sugar content.
I've found myself becoming a sports fan out here, because if you aren't, you will just have no idea what is going on around campus. It's just so focussed on sports, especially American Football at the moment, because it has always been such a family event to watch sports together - little girls of four or five years old go to the games in their little cheerleader outfits, which has to be one of the most adorable things to see on the big screen at the games. When adventuring the campus for the first time, we came across the stadium just for our university and the 'RAZORBACKS' football team, they have so much money to put into their teams that this is the result...
It holds 72,000 people and is always packed!
This is where I live:
It looks quite grand and inside it is, with a very posh looking living area but the best part is the games room with the TV, ping pong table and brand new snooker table in the basement. It has turned into a place where we can all just hang out and relax to watch a bit of TV when a new show is on or a movie is playing.
The surrounding area is amazingly beautiful, but I have yet to go camping or experience much of the Ozark mountains in which Fayetteville is situated. With autumn in full swing and the leaves changing colour at the moment, it would be the perfect photo opportunity! In the first week that I was here, we went to Devil's Den state park and hiked up to the top of one of the lookout points and this was the result:
The weather is lovely - mostly sunny and warm but slowly changing into the seasonal winter weather I am so used to. It's mostly blue skies and a light breeze which has to be my favourite type of weather and so it's always nice to step out of the front door of my dorm and walk to class.
We also had the opportunity to go to the famous 'Bikes, Blues and BBQs' weekend on Dickson Street (the main street for bars and restaurants in Fayetteville.) Bikers from all over the country come for one week a year to parade up and down the street and around the town, showing off their bikes. We saw many a party bike that was decked out with lights and music playing as they drove around. I got the chance to eat a HUGE turkey leg and felt so American in that moment, surrounded by bikers, tucking into a giant piece of meat that I could hold with one hand! There is one (blurry) picture in existence of this phenomenon for you to appreciate:
A trip to the state capital, Little Rock, was an educational experience. Although, because of the government shutdown at the time (GOOD ONE AMERICA!) we were unable to see some of the better places on our itinerary, it was still a good trip and was great to get out of town for a bit and see a city. We were able to see the Central High School, made famous in 1957 by the 'Little Rock nine' with the end of segregation in schools. I wish my school was as grand as this!
I went to a country music concert and this happened:
We were all shocked to hear the first song, very popular amongst the crowd, 'Guns' - 'No, Mr. President, you can't take a way my gun...' Well, that didn't bode well for the rest of the concert as we quickly noticed the backdrop of the stage as an advert for the NRA (National Rifle Association) sponsoring the concert. It was an experience to say the least.
It was fall break last weekend, which meant we had five days off over the weekend to do with as we pleased. I was lucky enough to go on a roadtrip with some friends to Nashville, Tennessee. It was incredible and one of the first times I had got to see some of America in a non-academic environment. It was refreshing and so nice to see people who were not wearing the usual oversized tee a la Sorority girl attire. We went to a light show at a botanical garden a little outside of the city and experienced some amazing food, which was such a change from dining hall food which we're all already so sick of.
Yes, yes I do.
We had a two hour wait for a table at this place and it was SO worth it. I had the best fried chicken in the world there. I think I gained quite a bit of weight this weekend!
Me and my best friend Elvis <3
This and the picture below pretty much sums up Nashville. So much country.
You can't go to Nashville and not go to the Country Music museum! #culture
One of the most American number plates I think i've seen in my time here so far!
It was so good to have a break from my little bubble in Arkansas and i'm looking forward to many more adventures like this one while i'm here.
It's nearly Halloween and apart from costume parties like this one:
I was meant to be this...
But considering my entire outfit was homemade, I think it was quite impressive. Pipe cleaner glasses as everything! (Which are called 'white fuzzy sticks' and 'black fuzzy sticks' here in Walmart...Straight to the point!)
It's not all just about scary movies and costume parties here, however; I got to go to a Pumpkin patch (with a severe lack of pumpkins) and corn maze to experience 'fall' properly in America. So many baby animals to hold!
There was a zonkey!!
Me and my roommate with the zonkey - it's definitely posing!
The corn maze
I wanted to steal it, cutest piglet ever!
This baby goat tried to eat my hair and my top!
Although the homesickness has been hard, I have had such a good time here so far (sorry if I worried some of you) and there are so many more things to look forward to! A pumpkin carving party this week, a weekend trip to Florida in just under two weeks, Thanksgiving and many more sporting events. It's safe to say, i'm having a great experience, despite being in the bible belt and being one of the least religious people out there... I've just had to find those people who I have things in common with and i'm not scared to talk to!
I promise it won't be as long until my next post but I thought you all might want to see what i've been up to so far! Missing everyone at home lots and can't wait to see you all soon!
Your favourite little brit in America,
Becky
