Goodbye USC

Although I have not been as up to date as I perhaps intended with this blog over the year I hope it has proved somewhat informative to those interested in what I’ve been up to.

The time came on Wednesday to pack up my room and say goodbye to USC and South Carolina. It has truly been a life changing year. From the people I’ve met and experiences I’ve had to the places I’ve visited, there has not been a dull moment in the past nine months. I am still as infatuated with the American culture as I was before (how some might say, but each to their own). I’ve drank beer with red necks and tanned with sorority girls, debated politics and recited the words “Harry Potter” and “cheerio” until the cows came home. I’ve survived a hurricane, an earthquake and dodged a tornado. I’ve eaten grits, okra and a whole load of corn bread and lets not forget the numerous times people have tried to “save” me.

Although I leave the Bible Belt, the chivalrous gentlemen, the Sirs and Ma’am’s and not to mention forty degree weather I still have a lot to experience as I head to the north west, starting in Chicago.

I cannot wait for mum to come out and to finish this amazing year with her, although I’m sure she’ll remark on my adoption of American English. From trash to cell phone, gas to store I hope it won’t take long to lose these Americanisms.

But here’s to the next set of adventures and with my last night in the South I can only hope you all have a blessed day.

Rocking The Rodeo

This week the Cowboys came into town and my friend and I went to check out the talent... and by that I mean experience a real southern rodeo.

It was such a fun night with lots of country music, cowboy hats and real southern rednecks. It also gave me no desire to take up this sport as all I can say is OUCH!

This One Time at Band Camp…

Oh yes it’s an American Pie reference, arguably (and I use that term loosely) the most authentic film to American college life there is with its portrayal of the college band no exception. Football here is huge but so is the band and don’t I know it. My room happens to be located next to the bands practice field and let me tell you they practice a lot! Nothing can describe the experience of studying and falling asleep to sleep to the sound of a 100 man marching band.. so here is a video:

Welcome to USC

I survived my first week at USC! It’s been a hectic week of filling in forms, signing up for classes and meeting many many new people but it’s been amazing! I have moved into my dorm, watched band practice, drunk from a keg, played beer pong, eaten pop tarts and learnt that despite being in America there is still a language barrier, sometime I don’t feel like they speak English here at all! I am now starting to settle in and am actually looking forward to my week of classes!

Here are a few photos from around the beautiful campus. Some of the oldest buildings on the horseshoe (the original campus) were built in 1801 and are gorgeous. I love the historical atmosphere and colonial style of a campus which is situated in a more urban setting.