by Georgina Findlay Ridgway Scholar 2010-2011

1. by Georgina FindlayRidgway Scholar 2010-2011

2. “Dear Georgina: I am very pleased to inform you that the selection committee has designated you as the Ridgway Scholar at the University of Evansville for the 2010-2011 academic year.” When I first received Dr Kingsley’s letter informing me that I was the successful Ridgway Scholar, I couldn’t quite believe it. Needless to say I was ecstatic – as were my friends and family – and before I knew it, I had graduated secondary school and was making all the necessary preparations to move continents and begin my liberal arts program at the University of Evansville, Indiana…

3. 16 August and England was but a distant thought... As the wheels on the Boeing 777 retracted and the overhead compartments rattled with anticipation, my chest tightened as I began to embark upon my transatlantic adventure. The eight hours in the air passed by intolerably slowly. As we sliced through the mid-west skies, a feeling unfamiliar to me tingled inside me as Chicago, once a mere speck on the overhead map, approached suddenly beneath the china white clouds. Before I knew it, the plane was bouncing along the runway and into the O’Hare. I was halfway to my new home! After suffering the minor inconvenience of having my suitcase emptied by Chicago security, I found myself breathing a sigh of relief when I was eventually herded onto the connecting flight to Evansville. I slunk back in my seat and drowsily watched as Chicago skyscrapers head butted the clouds below. When I looked out next; my breath was stolen by a checkerboard of cornfields over which we seemed to glide. Then suddenly: houses! Yards! Picket fences! Suburbia! Moments later and the plane wheels scraped the concrete runway. Before I knew it, I was in the arrivals lounge with my hand being shaken a dozen times by a group of very friendly, and very excited Americans. I was driven to UE; given the grand tour of campus and then, after a long day of travelling, I withdrew to my dorm and collapsed onto my bed for another twelve hours!

5. International orientation lasted for a week, and introduced me to so many different and wonderful cultures – I made friends from all over the world, and am proud to say these friendships will endure for years to come. The week began with games and activities to make us feel comfortable and to get the students whose first language wasn’t English to engage with those who spoke it fluently. I was somewhat disappointed when International Orientation week ended – I had so much fun interacting with people from over 50 different countries including Russia, Japan, South Korea, Hungary, Spain, Saudi Arabia and even Northern Ireland (I bonded particularly well with the student from the latter country - especially over a bar of Cadbury’s chocolate!) However, American orientation (aka “Welcome Week”) was equally as exciting; it was my first time mingling with the American freshman with whom I would be spending my scholarship year, so needless to say I used Welcome Week to my best advantage – joining in with all activities and experiencing the true American college life.

7. Before I knew it, the week of orientation – both international and American - was over and classes were beginning. Before arriving in the United States, I was completely oblivious to the way American college worked – for example, people kept asking me what my “Major” was, and I had no idea what they were talking about! Luckily I found all this out with the help of the IOLs (International Orientation Leaders), and also discovered a lot about American college life on the way. I have realised that American college bears slight resemblance to British ‘A-Levels’ – although the work is considerably more challenging. Similar to ‘A-Levels’ in English secondary school, I had to choose four or five classes to study in for a semester. Being a real theatre lover, I naturally chose Introduction to Theatre, as well as Introduction to Writing, American Literature, World Cultures (which I took with my original Welcome Week group) and Russian (quite a ‘spur-of-the-moment’ decision, but one that I thought would offer me a challenge as well as the enjoyment of learning a second language). I thrived in all classes, loving the freedom to experiment with a range of subjects that just aren’t available to us in England. I also learnt a lot about American social life at college. Unlike the United Kingdom, America offers Greek life wherein a student can become a member of a fraternity or sorority. These are like social organisations where one can make friends, join in a wide range of activities and become a more active student on campus.

8. Here is one example of a Greek event. “Passover” is a tradition where new “pledges” of a fraternity literally “pass over” the organization in which they wish to join. Usually members dress up and paint themselves the colour of their fraternity, chanting and bearing flags and signs supporting their new members. A member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity explained to me “It’s a national organization with the branches on college campuses allowing for interaction within both the individual house and national organization as a whole”.

9. Throughout the school year there were various events that gave international students the opportunity to teach others about their different cultures and ways of life. The International Bazaar was an event where each international student could open his or her own “booth” and decorate it with the colours of their flag, as well as offer traditional home food to customers. Open to everything, I took part in this, and with the help of my Northern Irish friend, we set up a joint booth for the United Kingdom, offering traditional English Scones with jam and cream, as well as Irish Stew. The booth was a great success (and after all the hard work, there were even some scones left for the very tired and very hungry workers..!)

10. The university as a whole has such a wonderful atmosphere; walking around campus, I am constantly greeted with smiles and “Good morning!” and people offering to hold open the door for me. Having lived in America for over five months now, I have realised just how friendly, kind and generous Americans can be – they seem to have such a positive attitude, not worrying about little things like the English have such a bad habit of doing, but instead taking everything in their stride, dealing with problems and moving on, ultimately enjoying life to the fullest. They have an attitude that projects the notion that anything is possible – something I truly miss about the nation.

11. Friends from all over the world..!

12. Looking back over my year in Evansville, I achieved SO much that I wouldn’t have even dreamt about doing had it not been for the Ridgway Scholarship: • I lived abroad in a different continent on my own for a year – this in itself I believe is a great achievement! • I travelled across the country, visiting Evansville, Grayville, New Harmony, Indianapolis, Chicago, St Louis, San Diego, Los Angeles and New York City. • I was immersed in various different cultures from all over the world, from Asian to Africa, Europe, South America and of course North America, making wonderful friendships that endure to this very day. • I experienced a real American college life, taking classes and gaining experience and knowledge in my field of interest as well in a range of other classes I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to take in the UK. • I was involved in international organizations, helping in extra curricular events and activities, experiencing Greek life and generally being an active member of the UE community. • Thank you Dr William Ridgway for such a fantastic and life-changing experience abroad!