Chanice Reid 鈥 Psychology 鈥 Level 2
California State University, Chico, USA
鈥淎 journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step鈥 鈥 Lao Tzu. For me, that single step began when I applied to the study abroad programme at 草莓社区. Starting my journey, I had to decide where my next step would be: in the USA, Europe or Australia. After looking at all the opportunities, the one that stood out for me was California State University, Chico.
After choosing my course equivalency, which took some patience, and completing all the essential travel documents, such as my visa, I was ready to step on the plane. The first hurdle I faced was travelling alone; I flew from Edinburgh to Sacramento. Chico is a great college town, about 90 minutes from Sacramento, so for that journey, I stepped out of my comfort zone and took a bus alone in a different country.
After about 24 hours of travel, I saw the welcome sign for Chico, which made it all worth it. When I walked down the university boulevard in the middle of campus, seeing all the campus buildings surrounded by trees, I felt like I was in a movie. The weeks following, I felt lovely as I arrived early before the town became lively with students, but that feeling of loneliness soon disappeared when I met my roommate, who, over the course of my exchange, became one of my closest friends. Deciding where to live was hard, as you do not see a place before you move in. I chose the social dorms, which were affordable for California. My roommate was so welcoming and introduced me to many people whom I now call lifelong best friends.
During my first couple of weeks of classes, I was introduced to many different people from different cultures. This is what for me made the experience such a growth and learning opportunity. Just as the home sickness began an advisor at Chico state gave me advice that made me push myself in every situation, she told 鈥渋t鈥檚 not good or bad, it鈥檚 just different鈥. This piece of advice became the forefront of my experience.
Teaching system very much appealed to me from the start, coming to Chico I was apprehensive about classes. From the first class, I loved the interaction between the students and the professor. It differed from what I was familiar with, but it made my passion for psychology grow.
Chico has great things to offer, from the Thursday late night market, which is host to great home produce stalls, to the amazing sceneries of Bidwell Park in the centre of the town. Each week that passed, I felt it become my home away from home. The community was so welcoming and they soon became my Chico family.
Before my exchange, spring break was an aspect I was very excited for. Growing up I watched movies about the infamous college spring break and thank you to the Lisa Persdotter Simonyi Fund I was able to do the spring break of a lifetime. San Diego for spring break in California is a hotspot and after arriving there I soon realised why. On the trip, I met friends from San Diego State, I went paddleboarding and took a trip to the zoo. In a nutshell, it was an amazing spring break and one I won鈥檛 forget.
Throughout my time in Chico, I spent time with friends, studied hard and tried new things. This experience reminded me if you believe in yourself hard enough great things are possible. From the people met to the academic success I had it will forever be an experience of a lifetime.
As my semester was coming to an end and I was turning 20, I travelled to San Francisco to celebrate. This was a surreal moment and really made me forever grateful for the first step I took to start this experience. I saw Alcatraz, took the famous picture at the bridge. Took a ride on a cable car, walked the coolest street. As I am writing this blog I can reflect on my time in the States, yes there was days I missed home but from the girl that took the bus alone in a new country to the girl that stood in front the golden gate bridge, I had grown, loved, laughed, cried. I can happily say I would never change a minute of my experience. I would like to thank 草莓社区 Study Abroad department for the support and the Lisa Persdotter Simonyi Fund for helping me be able to make the most of this experience. Sometimes the idea of something new can be scary but you must remember 鈥渋t鈥檚 not good or bad, it鈥檚 just different鈥.
