Studying in California, US: Student Profile

Rory Carroll, from the UK, explains how a year at a university in California enriched his student experience, academically and otherwise.

When friends and family came to visit Rory Carroll they had to bring Branston pickle and baked beans with them - that was what he missed of the UK while spending a year studying abroad in the US.

Rory, an American Studies graduate, took part in a study abroad program and spent one year living in Southern California where he attended California State University in Fullerton -quite a change from his home University of Swansea in Wales.

Cultural immersion

He fondly recalls the time he spent studying in California as one of the best years of his life. "There were times when it was challenging and really pushed me to extremes, but the overall breadth and depth of my experience as an international student has had a profound and positive impact on my life. I still can't describe what the drink 'Pimms' is to anyone though," he said.

Rory decided to participate in the study abroad program to give him a chance to gain first-hand experience of the society and culture that he had been studying for two years as an undergraduate student. He also wanted to immerse himself in a way of life that was different to that in the UK.

Swansea University helped Rory prepare for his move to the US: they produced a guidebook to dealing with relocation and pointed the way to educational websites for students that gave insightful accounts as to what to expect.

He also took the time to talk to undergraduate students from the UK who had returned from a year abroad, as well as students from the US who were studying abroad in the UK.

Easy to adapt?

"I didn't really feel a culture shock, as I think British and American cultures are becoming very similar. There were obviously no language barriers to overcome, although they do use a few words we don't and vice-versa. I'm still not sure about calling my trousers 'pants'..."

He thinks TV and the media had already prepared him for his move to the States, but he missed friends and family from home and there were still some significant differences he had to get used to.

Rory found that the structure of taught classes in the US was different to what he was used to in the UK. "In the US it is compulsory to go to all of your classes and read every inch of the set texts, but there is not too much required outside of this.

"In the UK it is almost the complete opposite; undergraduates are pointed in the right direction by their professors but are left to their own devices to find the appropriate resources and produce their analysis of it. I think a combination somewhere between the two would be ideal."

"As an arts and humanities major, I was used to having my work assessed on essays or end of year essay exams. The US system of mid-terms, pop-quizzes and multiple choice tests took some getting used to."

Rory also found that public speaking and presentations were a far more common part of the US higher education system. "At first it was really daunting to give a presentation in front of the class, but you get used to it pretty quickly and everyone seemed to like the British accent."

Life in the OC

Outside of classes, Rory also found a difference from studying in the UK. "It seemed all students in the US have a job and work while they study," he said.

Rory took up a part time job on campus in the events and information department. His student visa placed some restrictions on where and when he could work, but he said he was still able to find employment fairly easily and it really helped him to keep control of his student finances.

When he wasn't studying or working, Rory took full advantage of the Orange County (OC) lifestyle. "Most accommodation complexes in the OC had swimming pools and hot tubs, it was great being able to hang out with friends and have barbeques by the pool.

"In fact there were a lot more outdoor activities, probably because the weather was much better. In Orange County we were only 20 minutes drive from the beach, 45 minutes from LA, or three hours from the mountains where we could go snowboarding."

Like many students, Rory took a loan in order to finance his study. He says he was lucky in that he didn't have to pay the high fees often experienced by international students when they choose to study abroad.

Instead, he paid half of his normal tuition fees to his home university and swapped places with an American student. His local council also offered help with finance for international students and those wishing to study abroad.

"I would advise anyone to take part in a study abroad program because no matter how hard it was at times, it was an emotionally, culturally and ultimately a financially rewarding experience," Rory says.

"I have made life-long friends around the world, it has broadened my educational experience and it also shows employers that I am adaptable to new situations and can understand other cultures and traditions, something that is increasingly important in the modern world."

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