The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
As many people know, I spent the better part of 6 months studying, living and travelling the United States of America in 2017.
It was without a doubt the most rewarding experience that I have ever had - getting the opportunity to meet incredible people, see a new country and completely immerse myself into a different (but similar) culture.
I was fortunate enough to be in the 'Southern part of Heaven' for four of those glorious months, at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.
Being on campus taught me to see university in a different light, and gave me a new appreciation for the friendships that you can make while cramming for exams or madly finishing assignments.
My time at the UNC wasn't without its difficulties and challenges that I had to over come, most notably, my broken ankle. Looking back on it, while I'm sad that I had to spend six weeks in a cast, fully immobilised, I am somewhat glad that it happened because it completely pushed me out of my comfort zone and showed me what true friendships are.
Below is a collection of photos, captions and short stories about the memories that Chapel Hill gifted to me in a few short months.
August - September 2017
I learnt a lot while I was in the US, but one crucial thing that I learnt was the importance of long weekends/ holidays. American's embrace these events with their whole hearts - take the Fourth of July for example.
I wasn't there for the Fourth however, I was their for the Labour day long weekend in September, and was fortunate enough to spend it out on Lake Gaston, North Carolina, with a friend and her family. It was my first truly American experience outside of college and it was a weekend I'll never forget.
I learnt a lot while I was in the US, but one crucial thing that I learnt was the importance of long weekends/ holidays. American's embrace these events with their whole hearts - take the Fourth of July for example.
I wasn't there for the Fourth however, I was their for the Labour day long weekend in September, and was fortunate enough to spend it out on Lake Gaston, North Carolina, with a friend and her family. It was my first truly American experience outside of college and it was a weekend I'll never forget.
October 2017
October 2017
October was a fun, eventful month! Two months in, I was finally starting to feel settled into my college experience, with friends and classes.
Sadly, the whole ankle situation happened - fell down some stairs in our dorm, spent half an hour in the stairwell before the paramedics arrived, got taken to the hospital only to spend EIGHT hours in the ER.
The night really taught me two things, how amazing my friends, Sophie and Bri, are and how resilient I became after the event.
Within a week of getting the cast on, things were almost back to normal, we went to the North Carolina State Fair (think Ekka but more American) and I was lucky enough to go to Late Night with Roy - an introduction of the current mens basketball team.
Halloween was another major event of October - it isn't an event that is commonly celebrated in Australia but boy do they go all out in the US.
It was such a fun night filled with memories I'll never forget.
November - December 2017
