Robyn Ellison

Host University: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Year of Study Abroad: 2010-11

Where did you live? Would you recommend it?

I lived in student accommodation. The dorm I lived in was called Carmichael and was situated mid-campus very close to both student gyms and the football stadium. It was also an excellent location because it was only around a five minute walk to classes and a fifteen minute walk to Franklin Street which was the main street in the town.

I did share a room but that is standard in the US and so I viewed it as all part of the experience.

Which department(s) did you study in?

History

How does the workload/classes/teaching styles vary to Sheffield?

I took 12 credit hours per semester which is the minimum you are allowed to take as a full time undergraduate student. In general therefore there was more contact time than at Sheffield but there was less outside reading. Each class provided a specific reading list and you weren't expected to deviate from that.

With regards to exams, there were always midterms and often quizzes and short papers. Lectures are also a lot more interactive and it is expected that the professor may ask you questions in the middle of a lecture.

What did you do for fun at the weekends and during the holidays?

Over the holidays I did a number of different things. Over Thanksgiving I went home with an American friend which was a great way to experience the holiday in a traditional American style. Over Christmas I did come home but prior to that I spent five days in Washington DC, and over Spring Break I went to the Bahamas with around thirty other international students and some Americans. I would definitely recommend taking advantage of any travel opportunities that are available.

At the weekends I usually stayed in Chapel Hill itself, I went away sailing a couple of times, but other than that there was enough to do to stay entertained on campus.

Did you join any societies or clubs?

Yes. I joined the sailing club and the Daily Tar Heel which is the university's daily newspaper.

I would definitely recommend getting involved with some kind of sport if that's what you enjoy as there are great facilities and so much on offer.

Describe the University/City/things to do

The university has a beautiful campus. It has two gyms and a pool which are free to students. In the town there are a lot of restaurants and there is a bus which will take you to the local mall which has a cinema and all the shops you need.

The university also has its own theatre which has numerous acts and traveling theatre that I would definitely recommend, and in football and basketball season all sports games are free to students so I would definitely recommend attending just for the atmosphere and to soak up the school spirit because it is so different to anything you will experience in the UK.

Could you give any advice or tips to a student preparing to go or tell them anything you wished you knew in advance?

You should definitely get a meal plan because although they are expensive they are a great way to meet other people on your hall, and the supermarket is a car ride away so cooking for yourself is not a great option.

Would you say it is cheaper or more expensive to live than Sheffield?

The cost of living is generally cheaper but with all the extra expenses of travel and health insurance it probably works out about the same.