Jenneke Bijpost – University of Maryland, Post # 2 , So much to do!
Hi everyone,
Now, I am already over half way through my time here. The time is going so fast here! I barely know where to start when telling about my experiences. So I’ll start with the educational part.
In the last couple of weeks I did 4 exams, submitted a project, whilst working on two others and at the same time I had weekly mandatory homework for three courses. The courses I am taking are not very hard but do require a lot of time and work. Every lecture is in a different building soI am very happy I made the decision to rent a bike in the beginning of the semester. Although some people look at you like you’re crazy, it saves me a lot of time. In general the teachers are very nice and approachable. This Saturday one teacher even invited me over to have dinner with her and some other students.
Even though I have a lot of homework, I still have time to undertake some non- school related activities. For example going to a sport events (soccer, basketball or football). Sports, in general, are very big in America and people are very much involved. Two weeks ago the alumni came back to the university for a weekend, called Homecoming. This might be one of the most American events I have experienced. Several activities were organized culminating in the football game. Before the football game almost everybody attended one or more so called ‘Tailgates’, a meet-up of a group of people with a lot of fried food and beer.
A month ago I had my first proper Halloween celebration. Everybody is dressed up, some even during the day and people are already preparing their outfits weeks before. I also had the possibility to visit Philadelphia and Washington DC. With a Civil Engineering Event I had the possibility to go on the roof of the Capital in Washington and got a tour about the construction work. This weekend I am planning to see the famous Air and Space museum in Washington.
Although I am doing a lot, there is still much to do before I leave. Thanksgiving is next week and a friend invited me over to celebrate with her and her family. The first weekend of December I will visit New York and her majestic Christmas Tree. A lot to look forward to!
Jenneke
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