Posted in November 2017
University of Maryland, Willemijn de Boer, post #2
Hi all!
This is my second post of my exchange at the University of Maryland. With already 14 weeks in, I’m getting to know the American student lifestyle a little better every day. One thing of American universities which is a little different to European ones, is the big offer of clubs you can join. And with big offer I actually mean huge offer, since the university has more than 150 different clubs. Think of something you like or you’re good at, and there is probably a club for it you can join. Since I have been rowing during my time in Delft, I decided to join the rowing team of the University of Maryland. Especially for the sports clubs of the university, joining means that you’re willing to commit a significant amount of your time for the club. However, since I get along with all the girls from the club very well, I am glad that I made this decision. The university takes care of a big part of the funding of the sports clubs, which means that most of them have the best uniforms and sports equipment. We practice together for race days, which take place all over the East coast. This also gave me the opportunity to enjoy lots of beautiful American river sides!
Besides from clubs, the University of Maryland also has a big Sorority/Fraternity culture. It is quite similar to the Dutch association culture, however, Fraternities and Sororities are social organizations with single-sex memberships. This means that boys join fraternities, and girls join sororities. At the beginning of the year, both sororities and fraternities start pledging people, which means that you notice the stereotypical Greek letters all over the campus.
For exchange students it is quite difficult to join, since you’re only here for one semester. However, you are able to join most of their parties and visit their houses, which is very much fun if you are a bit familiar with American university movies (which actually are perfect representations of the real deal).
One of the things I enjoyed most during my Exchange in the States is the opportunity to travel a lot. Because flights are relatively cheap, we’ve been to many places already, including Boston, New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Chicago. Most of these trips are weekend city trips, which means that we’re back by Monday on campus to be able to attend our weekly lectures. In two weeks we’re taking a quick study break in Miami, right before the finals start in our last week on campus.
I would definitely endorse everyone to go on Exchange in the United States. American college life is something you definitely want to experience once in your life! Of course it is very thrilling being far away from your friends and family, but as everyone here is in the same place, you make new friends in no time. With these people you experience a lot during your exchange, in order to make many unforgettable memories to take home afterwards! I learned a lot during my exchange, and I will never forget about the incredible times I’ve had here at the University of Maryland.
All the best,
Willemijn
Alex Zwemer, University of Maryland, Part 1, First Impression
Hi everyone,
My name is Alex Zwemer, I’m twenty year old Mechanical Engineering student, who got the opportunity to study abroad. I’m studying in the United States of America at the University of Maryland. There are a lot of exchange students in Maryland, with many of them from the TU Delft.
This is my first time in the USA, this made it extra exciting. I wondered how living here might be. The cultural stereotypes are quite close to reality. Everything is bigger, everywhere is fastfood and the people are very open. The campus is very big, although I’m living on campus it usually takes me a 10 minute walk to my class. Living on campus is a great experience, it’s just like in the movies. There are a lot of activities, such as American football games every 2 weeks, with a tailgate prior to it.
Up till mid-October the weather is really summerlike. In the beginning, this had its disadvantages, because my room didn’t have air conditioning. However, there are a lot of shops within walking distance that sell fans, making my dorm more bearable.
One big difference with the TU Delft is the meal plan, which allows you to eat as much as you want, whenever you want. Besides that it is also the place where you can catch up with each other and most of the activities planned are first brought up there. The backside however are the high costs, but that is totally worth it.
Cheers,
Alex
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