“You know those house parties you go to when you’re 15 or 16? They have those. They’ll drink any old rubbish, a bud light or something, with the sole purpose of getting drunk.
Jude is describing the social scene for the typical student at the University of Oklahoma. The slightly infantilising effect American drinking laws – which require you to be 21 to purchase alcohol – have on the campus’ partying culture was a shock for the 3rd year history student.
“It’s still very exciting for them because they couldn’t do it in high school. There’s no popping down the pub for a pint or two, having a nice ale or a Guinness, and having a chat.”
He’s nearing the end of his year studying abroad in the U.S., in turn fulfilling a long-held ambition.
“America was always where I wanted to go.” He explains: “I can’t really give a clear answer as to why, it seemed like a cool thing to do. I suppose there’s a glamour to it.”
For some Sheffield students, they might not consider studying abroad until the departmental email lands in their second-year inbox. However, those with similar foresight to Jude plan for it well in advance.
“I lived pretty frugally for my first two years at Sheffield University because I knew this was something I wanted to do in year three. It left me with a decent budget so I could do what I wanted in America.”
Two years of personal austerity, the torturous “pain” of getting a Visa and 5,000 miles of solo-travel all to start a new life in a city a quarter the size of Sheffield. After all that effort, some would worry that reality not living up to their expectations might be too crushing a blow to risk. That fear stops them from studying abroad.
To say his work paid off would be understating it. In fact, Jude hasn’t returned to Britain since he left.
“I know some people go back for Christmas during their year abroad, but someone asked me to go to California over the holidays and that sounded damn good to me.
“It was over 20 degrees, and I was swimming in the ocean on Santa Monica beach,” Jude notes how attempting the same experience on the beaches of his native Suffolk might’ve been slightly less enjoyable.
“It’s been a brilliant year,” he continues, although making his belief clear that you get out of your year what you put into it, personally he had a rule to ‘say yes to everything’.
“If someone invites you out, and you’re debating if you have the time, just go for it because you’ll make it up another way. That approach means I’ve done so much travelling and met loads of amazing people.”
This approach, the required leap of faith, is arguably even more important for students who pick European institutions over their English-speaking counterparts. Crossing the Atlantic may be the longer journey, but crossing the channel presents a language barrier that many aren’t prepared to jump.
For Nelson, currently spending the 3rd year of his journalism course in Madrid, a personal passion for the Spanish nation and dialect, meant this was never an issue.
“I always thought I’d gain more out of the experience if the native language wasn’t English. I’d be challenging myself more, getting further out of my comfort zone,” he said.
“Also, I’d already built a bit of a base in Spanish beforehand. I studied it for two years before arriving, which has helped me out so much.”
“Now I consider myself a fluent speaker, which is a nice thing to be able to say”.
Since he arrived in Spain he’s been submerged in a ‘proper international student environment’, living in a flat of fifteen who are ‘a real mix of life experience, age, and nationality.’
“I haven’t lived with a single other British student all year.”
This cosmopolitanism could make some feel homesick, however he insists: “It’s been magical. I’ve met so many wonderful people from across the world, making friends from all different corners of the planet”.
It’s been significant for his self-belief as well, “I’ve absolutely changed. I’ve always considered myself a confident person, but it’s now a different level.
“I’m excited about coming back [to Britain], because I think I’m going to feel fearless. If I’ve been able to deal with all these different challenges in multiple languages for a year, things in the UK might end up feeling a bit easy.”
Joy, a history student spending her year in Berlin, has experienced a similar boost; “I definitely think I’ve grown as a person, and it’s pushed me out of my comfort zone.”
She describes the ups and downs of studying abroad, and the settling-in period that she had to weather: “I’d be walking down the street, and something would remind me of home, and suddenly I’d remember in a panic that I’m living alone in a foreign country – how am I doing this?”
Although now that Joy feels like she’s built a good life for herself in the German capital, this has almost developed into a mantra: “Whenever I doubt myself, I say ‘Joy you’ve moved to another country by yourself and you’re fine. You’re not drowning, you’re managing’”.
Despite not speaking any German before she arrived – “I’d done some Duolingo, but that doesn’t get you very far” – she’s managed to make the most of the “excitement of the city”. When she returns to Sheffield she’ll miss how much there is to do.
“There’s so much going on, so much to see. Whether it’s going to parks with my friends or trying out cool new bars and restaurants.”
Taking the opportunity to travel has been a highlight for her, pointing out “how much easier it is when there isn’t a sea between you and Europe”, getting the chance to visit Prague and explore more of Southern Europe.
“I’m very glad I did it, and I’m looking forward to summer in Berlin – there’s a lot more I want to explore. It’s going to be bittersweet going back to the UK.”
It’s the same for Jude. He’ll miss the adventure of it all. In returning to Britain, he’ll be leaving behind this country that’s served as a “constant source of wonder”. So, when he sets foot on British shores for the first time in close to a year, how will he start the transition, what’s the first thing he’ll do?
“Getting a pint back in the local pub in my little Suffolk village will be nice. It’s been a while since I had proper beer.”