They drink soooo much!

So I know university is all about having fun, experiencing new things, meeting people, etc, but I think learning a thing or 2 is quite important as well. Ha, well here we only have lecture (class time) 1-2 hours per class per week. There is a lot of outside independent reading (which I'm used to) but entire grades depend on either 1 final exam, or 1 final and 1 essay. I suppose the structure of university here is just more student led, which will be an interesting adjustment from 5 papers per class per semester on top of several exams. Overall, my tutors (professors) are all really nice, as are the other students who have been welcoming. It seems lots of British people just love Americans, who knows why. One guy even told me I sounded like I was straight from a movie!
Oh, and another huge difference- people think American college students drink way too much, well they haven't been to the UK! Their student union is pretty much a huge dance club 3 nights a week, and the other 2 nights are for the other like 5 bars/pubs on campus. Weekends are usually pretty dull they say. But the students drink SO much (I would say too much, for me at least, but I don't want to judge as a "foreigner" haha). It is lots of fun though and it's been interesting trying to dance like they do as well.
I already miss my family and friends terribly but I still anxiously await our travels ahead. And mom would be proud that I'm drinking hot tea (cuppa tea) pretty much every day now : ) I'm also a big fan of their biscuits (aka. cookies that go with tea), yum! And tried bangers and mash tonight in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Going now to get some reading done (on a Friday night?! haha) and then explore Hanley tomorrow with some British girls. If anyone is curious about anything, just comment with questions, I'd love to share everything!
Love you all, Cheers!
xx

Getting Acquinated

Today was my first day of class after only a weekend of getting adjusted to British life. After such a hassle getting off on a plane finally (so sorry mom and dad!) and missing my shuttle to the school from Manchester, I managed the buses and got here safe and sound. Everything is so wonderfully different and the people have all been very kind and helpful. I've already seen some of the nearby cities in Stoke-on-Trent, like Newcastle-Under-Lyme and Hanley. Made several international friends, from all over the States, Canada, Australia, and more, and even a few from here at Keele. But hope to meet more through class and societies (like their school's clubs). I live about 1-2 miles from campus (20-30 min walk) in Keele Village, which seems SO far compared to App's campus, but it's a beautiful walk. BUT the food is not bad (just had cottage pie last night! mmmm) and the teeth are not all ugly : ). Hope to visit lots of places with my British Culture class, so I will have more to talk about. And I'll post pictures and Skype as soon as I get internet in my house! Cheers

Temporary mailing address (until I'm moved to my permanent block or flat!) - I love letters ; )

Krystal Trout
c/o Students' Union
Keele University
STAFFS
ST55BJ
UK

Pre-Departure for the UK

So, I followed Sallie's example and made a blog (for the first time) so I can share my English adventure with my family and friends. I can't foresee how dedicated I'll be but for now, maybe a post per week? I'll put some pictures up as well, but my computer skills are limited so forgive me.

It's exactly 24 hours before I fly to Chicago, then off to Manchester, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the snow up north won't delay my flight! As anxious and excited as I am to finally get to England, I'm so sad about being away from the ones I love for 5 months. BUT feel free to facebook me, talk through Skype ( krystal_trout ), email (kt76375@appstate.edu) , etc... and once I find out my mailing address there, I will post it immediately.
Let's hope I navigate the airports right and don't end up in the Congo : )