Before I flew out to the States in August, there were a lot of things that people said to me to try and help me on my travels, most of which I either completely ignored or simply did not believe. Looking back on those moments now, I really wished that I’d listened to more of the advice, especially that which came from my mum. Seriously, always listen to your mum!
Now being in my second semester here at Grand Valley, and knowing that there are many students both back home and in the States who are looking to study abroad, I wanted to give you a list of six things I wish I had believed, and taken much more seriously, before flying out.
People will never be able to get over your accent
Whether you have just met someone or you have known them for the entire year, you will constantly be told by people that they “love your accent” and that they “could listen to you all day”. Now when I got told this, by several people I might add, I just thought that the shock of my accent would wear off within a few weeks or so, especially as there are a fair amount of British students who attend Grand Valley each year. Nope. Just the other day I had someone tell me that they loved the way I speak, which although somewhat familiar now, will never be something that I am completely used to.
People’s reactions when you do an American accent
One of the first things people asked me when I came to the States, and after my they had gotten over the shock of my accent, was whether they, themselves, sounded weird to me. Which of course they didn’t, because Britain has so much American TV. So when they then found out that I could do an American accent, they freaked out. Every time I’m with my cousin now, and she asks me to say something in her accent, she will literally curl up because she cannot handle the change. Now this is a fairly extreme reaction I will say, but either way it is hilarious. So if you have a decent American accent I definitely recommend whipping it out every so often, because your day will instantly be improved.
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Sorority life is nowhere close to how it is portrayed in the movies
I always knew that I was going to join a sorority coming into the States, and honestly it is one of the best decisions that I have made out here! When you see how sororities are portrayed in the movies and on the TV, however, that is in no way shape or form how they are in real life. Basically the only parallels between the two worlds are that a) we are all female organizations, b) we have sorority houses (but not all members live in them at one time), and c) there are several sororities on every campus. The fact that these are the only three similarities is pretty ridiculous and will continue to give Greek life a bad name if something doesn’t change soon.
Now I could go on forever about my love for my own sorority, Alpha Sigma Alpha, but the bare bones of any chapter is that we are all a family. There is not one girl in ASA that I would not do anything for. Whether that be being a study or shopping buddy, or simply being a shoulder to cry on. Whatever anyone needed I would be there, and I know that I can count on every single one of my sisters to do the same.
You will get homesick
One of the reasons why I think joining a sorority is so important, is that you will get homesick at one point or another. Even if you don’t think you will, it will happen eventually. When it hit me I was really surprised as I am someone who does not get homesick often, and as it happened I was going through recruitment at the time, and it made me realize how much I needed that family aspect around me. Will it suck that you can’t call your mum up whenever you want? Yes, yes it will. But in those situations I know that I can call up one of my sisters and talk to them instead, and that is amazing.
The constant struggle with spelling
Studying abroad in another country that speaks English is great because you don’t have to deal with that language barrier. But, being someone who is a stickler when it comes to spelling and grammar, every time I see words like “color” and “honor”, and God forbid “aluminum”, a little part of me shudders in discomfort. Everything that you have been taught about spelling, you know have to forget, which is something that I have to struggle with every single day. Now I know this may not affect everyone, but if you are like me, all I can say is good luck!
The bread is sweet!
Like before if you are someone who doesn’t eat a lot of bread, this is a matter that will not affect you. However, I am not one of those people, and when my mum told me that bread is sweet in the States, I’m pretty sure I laughed in her face. I am a person who loves bread, and have done so ever since I was a child, but when I discovered that normal bread here is life our brioche back home, it pained me. Back in England I thought I had a fairly sweet tooth, but oh boy, was I wrong! Everything in general is very sweet compared to the UK, so what I have resorted to is having plain bagels, as these don’t have any extra sugar in them (take note as this may affect you). When I went home over Christmas, the first thing I asked for was a big, freshly-baked, French baguette, and it was amazing.
I know some of these things will not affect everyone, but I do recommend you listen to them. Hey, I’m living this life right now; I’m in the place that you may be in in less than a year. So don’t just dismiss all the advice that you’re given. Take it in, use it. And if you don’t, well good luck, because either way you are going to have one of the best years of your life.
