It's been three weeks since I touched down in the countrified southern state of Alabama – 'Bama for short. As you can imagine, I've already been bombarded with the typical Aussie questions. "Do you have a pet kangaroo?" "What's it like living in the outback?" or my personal favorite, "So there's like, huge scary spiders right?" That one is usually accompanied by a terrified facial expression, which I like to meet with "Why yes, but there are hundreds crawling through my house, so I barely even notice them anymore!" If they aren't scared yet, I might even throw in the "Some are as big as my hand, but they don't bother you unless you stare at them for too long"
Come to think of it, I'm starting to realize why I don't have many American friends here.
While this is all fun and games, I've also been handed the heavy question of why I chose to study in Alabama. It's kind of ironic that this is the one question I can't provide an answer to, not even a witty one (which is an unusual occurrence, if I do say so myself). I'm pretty sure I've said something really lame each time. Any answer ranging from the great academics to the football team has easily satisfied those asking, but I am the one who has been left wondering this entire time. Why did I choose Alabama?
Sitting in my bedroom nine months ago, feeling particularly bored with the mundane cycle of my Brisbane life, I clicked 'apply for exchange' on a whim. An extensive list of worldwide Universities filled my screen. Europe, America, Canada, Asia… the list goes on. There were Universities I had never heard of, and ones I had only seen in movies but never thought I could attend. All of it was at my fingertips, one click of the mouse and I'd be on my way to experience any young Australian would be jealous of (bit of an exaggeration — it actually took a lot more than just clicking a button to get here, but you get the idea). All I had to do was choose! The feeling of endless opportunities was as good as it sounds, and my reaction can only be described as borderline spontaneous combustion. After scrolling through universities, cities, states and trip-advisor pages mindlessly, I finally settled on the notorious crimson colors of the University of Alabama. Maybe it was the so-called southern hospitality that drew me in, or Bryant-Denny Stadium, standing at second largest in the country. Knowing me though, it was probably the notorious Yellow Hammer from Galettes that sold me.
Fast forward through nine months of paperwork and bulky payments, followed by a few desperate loan applications, and here I am! That little homebody from Brisbane is finally living it up in the big smoke! Just kidding, I'm already drowning in study and feeling the stretch in my waistband from over-indulging in fried chicken. Nonetheless, I ended up here and am already wishing my time in Tuscaloosa didn't come with an expiry date.
As you can expect, going on exchange anywhere involves nothing but excitement; traveling to a new country, meeting new people, and breaking free from responsibilities at home. However, there is something even more exciting that I discovered once I arrived. The University of Alabama is an entirely new world to me, one that I didn't realize existed behind the TV screen.
For three years, I have attended an Australian University where there is no such thing as college culture or a student community. No one lives on campus, with most of us spending more time commuting to and from Uni than we do in our classes. If this wasn't discouraging enough, attendance isn't compulsory for most classes and lecturers couldn't care less if you're paying attention. As you can imagine, this creates a very motivational atmosphere for us lazy Australians. By week 4, the campus is a desolate wasteland. Not a student in sight. Tumbleweeds roll through the classrooms. The studious few who do go to class refuse to socialize and barely lift their heads from their iPhones or MacBooks long enough to pay attention.
Even our academic structure is in complete contrast to the weekly pop quiz and homework assignments given out at Alabama. We work on three major assessments per semester — possibly the most demotivating way to learn. Most of us only just scrape by each semester. I made a small group of friends in the first week of my first year. That's it. Since then, I don't think anyone has had an interest in branching out further. Don't get me wrong, these girls are amazing, and I wouldn't want to spend my time procrastinating with anyone else, but if I did want to meet new people I wouldn't find much success. Students are simply closed for business in the social world. I also can't remember the last time I went to a University event, or if there even are any. To me, Uni is a background activity that exists only in the confines of my bedroom when I'm cramming assignment work or exam study in the middle of the night.
In three short weeks at Alabama, I have already experienced more of the 'college life' than I ever have at home. I live on campus, go to classes every day, attend college events, have study sessions in the library with my friends, and so much more. I've even co-hosted a 'darty' (day party, duh) and invited people I'd only met once or twice briefly — how spontaneous and social of me! Living here has thrown me into the deep end of the American College experience. I never knew getting a degree could be this immersive and fun.
Professors and classmates have surprisingly been eager to chat with me, but that might just be their curiosity at my funny accent. It still shocks me that most remember my first name after meeting me briefly one time. I have been excited to go to class and do my homework and don't feel overwhelmed by the workload since it is evenly spread through the semester. For once I feel like I am actively learning! I've even found ways to get more involved at Uni, including joining the field hockey team and writing for Odyssey. I'm itching to do even more — clearly, I'm obsessed.
These three weeks have been a blur of new friends, partying, fried food and of course, a few mental breakdowns (mostly around the self-loathing that comes with fried food). Alabama somehow makes college a lifestyle, rather than background work. I have completely submerged already — a living, breathing college girl. I can't believe I'm lucky enough to experience this for the next five months.
