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<\/p>\nHey there! I’m Charlie, and I had the absolute privilege of completing my final semester abroad at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, nestled in the small college town of Troy in upstate New York. It was everything I dreamed of and ripped me out of my comfort zone for a journey filled with adventure and life.<\/p>\n
One of the biggest reasons I chose RPI was its strong sense of community. I was drawn to the idea of experiencing a classic American college town with streets lined with frat and sorority houses, endless sports matches, and a close-knit, almost high school-like atmosphere due to the small cohort of students.
\nIt also fit perfectly with my degree. I got to take game development courses that I didn\u2019t have the opportunity back in QUT and connect with people working in the US games industry, which was a huge step up for my future career. There was plenty of ski slopes in the surrounding areas and it was an only quick two hour bus ride to the heart of New York City!<\/p>\n
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I still remember stepping off the plane at Newark International Airport and immediately getting slapped in the face by the coldest breeze I\u2019ve ever felt. That\u2019s when it hit me, I traded the Australian brat summer for a full-blown American winter. But in all honesty, it was totally worth it!
\nFrom learning how to ice skate in New York\u2019s capital, Albany, to playing rugby with the university team (and winning Beast of the East in Rhode Island), it was nonstop adventure.<\/p>\n
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I travelled to Washington, D.C. to see the monuments, got lost in the chaos of Times Square and Central Park, and even spontaneously flew to Puerto Rico with a group of girls I met up downtown during a bar meetup. One thing led to another, and I ended up DJing at a nightclub in San Juan and still experiencing a taste of summer.<\/p>\n
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Of course, I shot a couple of guns, tried all the famous greasy fast food I could get my hands on, Five Guys being my personal favourite. I could go on for yonks about all the different
\nactivities I took part in. But one of my favourites was getting autographs from the cast of The Stranger Things after watching the Broadway in New York; The First Shadow!
\nThere were definitely moments of loneliness or feeling out of place, but I reminded myself that there were always people around willing to help. Small talk can lead to great memories, so be open and ready to try new things or you might miss out.
\nAnd I won\u2019t lie, sometimes I dreaded the cold. The feeling of frozen fingertips, watering eyes and walking on slippery ice to get to class wasn\u2019t too pleasant at all. But you get used to it and adjust to the lifestyle. Making a snowman and partaking in a snowball fight in Central Park was a sacrifice worthy of one summer.<\/p>\n
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The best decision I made? Living with other exchange students and saying yes to everything. Our house became a melting pot of languages, cultures, and food. To be frank none of them liked Vegemite, but they were ravenous for Tim-Tams. And the best part? Now I\u2019ve got free places to stay all over the world so if you get the opportunity to stay with other like-minded exchangees, try and organise your stay with them together.<\/p>\n
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Pro tip: pack light, even if you’re going somewhere cold. I got most of my winter gear cheap from thrifting at Goodwill. You\u2019ll find some real treasures in US thrift stores, especially if you\u2019re going into an empty house. My Snoopy letterman jacket might be the best souvenir I brought home.
\nOn the study side, be prepared for more homework and stricter attendance policies than you might be used to. There were times I was juggling online work and assignments while travelling, at times I found myself working on projects during my stay at hostels. So make sure your time management skills are up to date or you might miss out on some fun stuff.
\nOne of the biggest mistakes I made was choosing difficult, time-consuming subjects for my studies. If you’re utilising your uni-wide electives, I\u2019d recommend picking a lighter workload, it’ll free up more time to travel and experience everything around you. That\u2019s my only real regret, sometimes I had to miss out on things I wanted to do because of the workload I had committed to, otherwise I still learnt a lot during my stay.<\/p>\n
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From the freezing streets of upstate New York to the warm shores of Puerto Rico, this semester gave me more than I ever expected to experience. I felt my confidence grow, and my fear of trying new things disappear. If you\u2019re wondering whether going on exchange is worth it, please do yourself a favour and go. Travel as much as your heart desires. You won\u2019t just get a new view of the world, you\u2019ll get a new view of yourself, and memories you\u2019ll hold on to forever.
\nJust be warned tears on the flight home are inevitable. Leaving behind the second family you made is never easy. I still miss them, along with the amazing Americans I grew close to. It’s sad to close that chapter of my life, but I\u2019m grateful I had the chance to live like an American, just like the movies.<\/p>\n
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