Abbie Dean is a final year Psychology student. Last year, Abbie took part in our Year Abroad programme and went to study at the University of Georgia for a year. Here, Abbie shares the highs and lows from her year, including homesickness, spring break and a trek across the Appalachian trail.
Interested in studying abroad as part of your degree? This year’s Year Abroad, Semester Abroad and Year in China applications are closing on Sunday, 25 February 2024.
I remember looking out the plane window after landing at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport after a 9-hour flight and really contemplating my decision to have moved to the US for the year. I called my parents once I arrived to my hotel in Athens, but they were soon off to bed due to the 5-hour time difference and the fact that I was no longer a 30-minute train ride away from them really hit me.
After a pep-talk on FaceTime from my friend and a trip to a local CVS for some comfort snacks I went to bed just slightly less nervous, wondering what international orientation would bring the next day. That first night was the first and last time I felt homesick during my whole year away.
Orientation introduced me to the friends that I would be spending the next 10 months with, either going to American football games together, trying foreign foods, and exploring new places; these were the people I made all my memories with whilst on my year abroad.
During orientation, we were all broken up into 8 ‘squads’ and together we toured campus, saw downtown Athens, took a group trip to Target before moving into dorms, and we really got to know each other. I befriended fellow exchange students (some who were there for just the semester – like my flatmate – and some who were there for the year like me), as well as our American student orientation leaders. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming; I knew I was going to fit right in with everyone from the get-go.
Before I knew it, classes had started, and I was in full ‘American student’ swing. I specifically picked classes that I knew I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to otherwise study, like ‘Mental Health Law’, and ‘Personality Psychology’. As a psychology student at home, I found it so interesting to be studying people from a completely different perspective of another country. Knowing that my year was a pass or fail was extremely comforting, especially when I was previously worried about balancing my social life and student life all whilst living in a different country, but if anything, I personally think I did better in my studies without all the additional pressure.
By the first few weeks, I was settled into my new student life, and had a special time celebrating my 21st birthday. Autumn, and the American football season began and the atmosphere of the games in the 90,000-person stadium was honestly unlike anything I’d ever experienced before. I truly became an avid Bulldog fan after never even watching an American football game before. I even got to experience my first Thanksgiving in Chicago with my two friends, which was everything I had imagined it to be – so festive and fun! First semester flew by and before I knew it the winter holidays arrived, and I was sadly having to say bye to all my friends who were only there for one semester.
Whilst apprehensive of the second semester and the new people it brought, the second part of my year was somehow even better than my first. My friendships with my friends who had stayed for the year had solidified after spending the Christmas holidays together, and I was excited to get back to campus after a bit of travelling to see my American friends. I started my new classes, met even more people, and enjoyed the perfect spring temperature. I really put myself out of my comfort zone and decided to join a university-led trip to Albert Mountain – we hiked and camped overnight up a mountain, and even cross the Appalachian trail at one point! I got to experience a true Spring break in Florida and Savannah (a seaside town in Georgia), and I loved every second of it. My last few weeks on campus were spent studying for finals and enjoying every last second with my friends during our last few weeks at UGA.
10 months, 13 states, lots of great friends, and many unforgettable memories later, I was back in the UK again, leaving one new home to return to an old one. Spending my year at UGA in Athens was by far the best year of my life. I went out of my comfort zone, experienced a new culture, and learnt so much; about myself and life in America.
My advice to anyone else thinking about becoming a Bulldog, or just studying abroad is: just do it! It is so rewarding, and you never know where it’ll take you… There’s not much else that can be said, except GO DAWGS!
Where could you study?
Applications for our Year Abroad, Semester Abroad and Year in China programmes close on Sunday, 25 February.
If you’re interested in studying abroad during your degree, visit our Global Opportunities page to find out where you could study. With over 150 partners across the globe, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime.