An exciting semester at William and Mary
Mila is a Comparative Literature and Philosophy student at the University of St Andrews who studied abroad at William and Mary. Read on to learn more about what it is like to study at William and Mary as an exchange student.
Why did you choose William and Mary?
I had never travelled to America before, and so I was ecstatic for the opportunity to study abroad at William and Mary, in Virginia.
William and Mary is the oldest chartered university in the United States of America, and its campus is beautiful, especially during Autumn.
What was your accommodation like?
I was lucky to live in a student hall which was located very centrally, meaning that all of the main study spaces and dining halls were less than a twenty-minute walk away. Most of my classes were only a five-minute walk away, which took me past beautiful green spaces and a statue of Thomas Jefferson, who had attended the college.
How did your semester begin?
My semester began with meeting my roommate and our orientation group. For a week we were led through seminars that allowed us to understand the institution better, and tours of campus and Colonial Williamsburg to help us get situated. I have made incredible friends through this more intensive, guided style of orientation. It may have been a bit nerve-wracking playing icebreaker games on the Sunken Garden on campus two days after I had landed in a new continent, but it was fundamental for forging the connections that would carry me through my time here!
William and Mary has a rich history, and is perfect for anyone interested in foundations of modern American history. Colonial Williamsburg, which is only a stone throw away from campus, is a living-history museum which has reconstructed buildings from the 18th century and live actors. I was able to take walks here and learn about Virginia’s history during my midday study breaks!
Did you enjoy your classes?
I loved my classes at William and Mary, and had the opportunity to study moral Philosophy through a far more interactive style than I was used to. Participation was a factor in my grades, and I was encouraged and expected to be a more active participant in classes, rather than being lectured to. This took some getting used to, but proved to be very valuable as it gave me better insight on the topics, and allowed me to get to know my classmates better. One of my favourite classes was Ethics and Data Science, where we explored the philosophical implications of Artificial Intelligence.
My professors were very willing to chat with me about aspects of the class that were not on the syllabus, and I could often decide for myself which kind of assignment or topic I wanted to explore. I enjoyed the slightly more student-led and interactive approach to learning here.
Did you take part in any extracurricular activities?
William and Mary differs from St Andrews in that football is a more integral part to campus life. Every weekend, William and Mary’s football team plays a game, and alternates each week between playing on campus and playing an away game. As a student, I had a free ticket to all games, and it was a common Saturday activity to dress up in William and Mary colours and attend with friends. I had never been a big sports fan, but everyone’s excitement and pride for the college was infectious – even if you don’t enjoy sports, you can enjoy the community that football fosters.
What is your study abroad highlight?
One of my favourite aspects of my time abroad was having the chance to try different foods here. My friends showed me their favourite restaurants, and once a week we would drive to a new place to try. I found it somewhat surreal getting to try some of the fast-food chains I had only heard about online and that we did not have in the UK, which they found amusing! I took advantage of my time here to try applesauce, blooming onions, and lots of Mexican food, which is very popular here.
Did you encounter any challenges?
It took some time to get used to certain parts of William and Mary, such as having a roommate and adjusting to the more social culture here. I found it tricky having to share a space with someone I had never met before. It also took some time to feel confident speaking up in my classes regularly, and to get used to making small talk with strangers when we wouldn’t normally in the UK. However, my friends here were invaluable for helping me navigate cultural differences and homesickness, and I feel more confident as a person for being afforded the opportunity to develop my interpersonal skills.
Would you recommend William and Mary?
Studying abroad at William and Mary has allowed me to make great friendships that I think will last a lifetime, it has allowed me to grow as a person. I feel more prepared academically from having experienced a diversity of educational styles, and I feel more sure of myself in that I can navigate unfamiliar situations and still succeed. I am very grateful for my time abroad, and hope to return to the United States one day to revisit everything that I have loved about my time there.