Chris McBriarty.
feel like I’ve had a summer break.
Almost immediately as year one ended and I got home, I had to think about the Visa process; which I knew all along was going to be complicated.
However, once that was out of the way everything became extremely smooth. My university in Connecticut, Southern Connecticut State University, were wonderful−keeping in constant contact and any query I had was answered without delay.
Now I’ve arrived, I definitely feel as though I underprepared for just how much of a huge jump it was. On arrival there was nothing. My dorm had a bed and wardrobe – that was it. The university isn’t very central so it’s tough to get out and buy the essentials; but my biggest challenge was finding an adapter. I rather stupidly didn’t get one before my trip, so I was also without power for a few days.
To make matters worse, Hurricane Irene decided to blast its way up the east coast towards Connecticut, so people were told to leave campus and go home. Us international students, well, we were shoved into a basement for a few days, which wasn’t pleasant. My patience was definitely running thin. After we were released there was limited damage and I felt as though it had been overhyped somewhat.
It caused enough disruption that classes were cancelled for the first two days, but everything has since fallen back to business as usual. I’ve endured my first two weeks now and gotten asked if I’m enjoying my time here− to that I respond: “Enjoying isn’t quite the word, more like adapting.”
