We spent a five month semester abroad at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (UWSP). Stevens Point in the state of Wisconsin is a typical small town in America with approx. 25,000 inhabitants. During our semester abroad, we were able to experience and feel the changing seasons. On arrival, it was still snowy and bitterly cold at -25 °C. We had expected a frosty reception but it felt different to what we had anticipated!
During the first week, Orientation Week (an introductory week for international students), we had the time to settle in and make some initial contacts. This was essential because when the semester started, we quickly realised that the workload differed significantly from that of the Austrian universities. Of course, we had expected there to be some differences from the local system but we had not banked on having weekly readings, quizzes and papers to write. Although the workload was significant and we initially felt somewhat overstretched, we quickly got to grips with things and found some time to do some travelling around the USA.
We spent spring break in Chicago and took a road trip to the Niagara Falls. A long weekend in Miami was the highlight of our tours. It’s not just the big trips which were exciting; exploring Stevens Point and going out shopping and for dinner were also an experience. Despite the very frosty temperatures at the start, we decided to do lots of sport because Americans are very sporty and the offering available at the UWSP was very diverse and largely free. The possibilities range from snowshoeing to running in the adjoining Schmeeckle Reserve nature area, weights training at the strength centre, swimming at the aquatic centre and playing tennis on one of the six tennis courts on the university campus.
Not only were we very active ourselves, we also familiarised ourselves with the most popular sports in America such as baseball, American football and basketball and visited a few games. The finals of the National Football League (NFL) were particularly exciting and of course, the Superbowl party with friends which we celebrated in front of the TV. Unfortunately, the Green Bay Packers from Wisconsin just missed out on the Superbowl.
In short, during these months, we had the opportunity to get to know a different country, a different education system and not least, a different lifestyle. Our semester abroad in Stevens Point was the highlight of our course and something we will always look back on fondly.
