When my school offered the opportunity to study abroad I immediately jumped at the chance. I have always loved other cultures and was very curious to see what it would be like to live somewhere else.
The ISEP application process turned out to be a bigger assignment than I had expected it to be. I had to do more work and wait longer before I knew my final destination than the other students who weren’t going through ISEP did. I had put universities on my top 10 list from all over the country; from Louisiana to California to Tennessee to – of course – Colorado!
When I heard that I was chosen to go to Colorado Mesa University I wasn’t sure what to think. I was thrilled but I had absolutely no idea what to expect. All I had were the standard preconceptions both I and everyone around me had, which is that America is a country where everything is big – including the people. I didn’t really know that much.
It turned out this notion was partially right. The cars, the supermarkets, even the drinking cups are much bigger than I’m used to! Although I found it to be more difficult than it should be to find healthy food in the dining hall most of the people on campus seem healthy.
The biggest difference that struck me about college life here is how informal it is. Back in the Netherlands I sit in lectures with about 200 other students. My professors don’t know any of our names or faces. They don’t care either. Here at CMU the professors introduce themselves by telling their life story and make a point of knowing everyone’s names and major. After class students even go and introduce themselves to the professor!
Apart from the seemingly informal atmosphere, I get a vibe as if I am back at high school. Suddenly my attendance and individual participation matter again. And we get mandatory homework assignments! Another thing that surprised me is that one of my classes doesn’t even have a final exam. Coming from a culture where you pretty much do what you want all semester and then try your hardest to pass the final exam, it feels like a whole new world.
It is a good world though. Both I and the other exchange students are excited to be a part of it!
