Oktoberfest

On fridays I have no classes so yesterday there was yet another meeting at the Fisher business to meet our mentors that are just meant to help us out and be there if we need to ask them any questions or whatever. I have not one but two mentor called Jenny and Elise. Both did an internship in London over the summer and travelled around Europe too so we had some good chats about that. They said they put on their application that they would like someone from the UK so lucky them they get me! I also got Roman to be on the lookout for any people selling tickets for the OSU football game since a lot of the international students were going as a group and I stupidly didn't buy a ticket thinking I won't know anyone and it was a lot of money if that was the case. But after I had met people I regretted it instantly! He didn't hear of any spare tickets for the Fisher area but managed to hook me up with some girls who wanted to sell 2 tickets for $35 each. And face value for the tickets was $33 so that was a bargain...you can expect to pay upto hundreds$ depending where the seats are. I could have easily sold on those tickets again and made a wee small profit :) but I was keen to actually go to the game!

In the evening it was the Columbus Oktoberfest so a few of the internationals headed to that which was in a big tent. Spent about $18 on tokens to spend on the beers/food to find out they were ID-ing and giving a band to those over 21. So I asked Mason if he would get me a beer and gave him some of my tokens. I feel so underage here all over again :(  One stage was playing band music that was supposed to resemble German music but was just awful. Felt bad cos one of the guys, Carlo is actually from Germany so he must have thought it was awful compared to the real oktoberfests! But we moved to another stage where a more 'cooler' band were playing singing songs everyone knew (or country songs which only the locals really knew). They played some hip-hop songs so I was right in my element. It was more of an event that gave the adults an excuse to get pissed on beer and dance with each other haha. We all walked back to Hight St and my last bus was at midnight but Mason kindly gave me a run home since he passes my street anyways.

Saturday 25/9/10
Headed to my mentor Jennys house with Sam and Hayley to start the pre game bevving at noon! They had a keg out front and beer pong inside. Played my first game of beer pong too! Went on a team first off with Sam aaand managed to get my first throw in! We won that game but was pretty close. Then went on a team with Hayley and won again in a game that was over in like 3 mins wooop! Bit of beginners luck there I think. Hayley wants to start calling me Scottish Thunder haha after those games haha. We then headed to Panda Express for lunch then over to the stadium. Our seats were really good, just a bit above pitch level. The OSU marching band are really good and we got to our seats just in time for them coming out of the dugout to do their bit on the pitch. Even though I still don't know too much about American Football the atmosphere was still really good and we were sat right next to the section where the student fans start all the chants and mexican waves etc. Sam was saying they all have to go to practices to sit there as they have cards that form the letter 'O' and everything so they need to know what they're doing! The game ended 73-20 to OSU. It was against Eastern Michigan who are one of the smaller teams and aren't ranked so it was a pretty simple game.

T-storm alarms!

Yesterday was my first day of classes, the first one I had was sort of in a classroom with maybe 30 people. Thats a class where class participation counts towards your grade. It only lasted half an hour sicne it was an intro lesson so I came back home. And just before I left the house to go back out to my 5.30 class the wind came along with rain and the storm warning alarms were sounding outside. I was going to go for the bus but Mandi wouldn't let me and insisted she drive me into campus. When I got into the building where my lecture was they were sending everyone down to the basement level scary stuff! But it was just as a precaution since the alarms were sounding and we only stayed there about 15 mins or so. In that lecture it was more like what I'm used to, was a lot bigger and just listening to the guy speak. But a register is passed around so its mandatory to attend. No class participation in that though, its just all class tests etc. The rest of the evening was much calmer so weird.


Today I just had one class, so thats me had everything once now. Today it was more classroom style again and a lot of the grade is from class particpation, group presentations and get 3 surprise tests throughout the term with one we know about at teh end so going to have to make sure I know my stuff before each class just in case! Hottest day yet since I've been here - about 33-34C in the afternoon, complete opposite of yesterday. Grey's Anatomy started here tonight :)

Target - after hours

Yesterday I went with Sam so she could buy morrre Halloween decorations haha and decorated the front garden with spider web...scarecrows..witches and spiders. Halloween is a really big holiday here and is pretty much celebrated the whole of October even though its still only Sept now wanted to get ahead of the game! We're going up to Cedar Point on 2nd October for a halloween weekend as they will have haunted houses in place for the month that aren't normally there. But some of the rides look pretttty scary!
In the afternoon I went up to campus to buy another book...$70 for not actually a textbook just a thick course booklet with a binder! Then checked out the Fisher business fair where the different business societies were promoting and picked up a leaflet for the business fraternity/sorority so going to go check out that meeting next week!
In the evening me and the roomies went to the cinema cos on a tuesday at this place its $5 for a film. And then inside the cinema you have a table infront of you with big fancy leather computer chairs and you order from a menu with proper meals not popcorn, nachos etc. So I had a philly cheesesteak sandwich and they bring you your food whilst the film is showing so you can eat it whilst watching :) The meal wasn't too expensive either so that was a film (The Switch 2nd time seeing it now) and a meal and drink for $21...about £14. We came back to the house to watch a bit of glee then headed back out again to Target which had an event for students only where there was freebies, music, drinks from 10.30pm-midnight. Bought a few more things I needed and stood in the huuuge queue but it moved pretty quickly. Bought a desk chair which I have successfully managed to assemble this morning :)
Sam had a small present for us all and it was name plaques she had made for us all with a big letter of our name and then decorations around it, it was really nice :) they are sitting on our living room wall.
Today my classes start so slightly nervous about how they will be just experiencing different teaching and ways of work. But excited at the same time to find out what it's like. Today I have introduction to homeland security (a little outside subject there) and Business Finance. I don't start til 1.30pm but my last lecture doesn't finish til 7.20pm and only have 2 hour break so don't know if its worth coming back. Might have work already which in that case to the library!
I'll try keep this updated from here on out but if you don't hear from me for a while then work has taken over my life!

The Oval

Lots and lots of free stuff

I had a meeting at 10am today at campus for all 49 business exchange students the majority this time being from Europe. We got more leaflets and another chance to meet our classmates. Met a guy who was from Manchester Uni and someone who was from Rep Ireland. All the international students seem keen to organise events together so hopefully we will all go check out a sports game or something. I am however one of the few that are still 20 :( I feel so young. Our exchange coordinator Roman is really friendly and super enthusiastic which is a good thing. He's planning other events to get us all together and has told us if there is anything we want to do he can try organise that so we get to see everything we want to while we are here. We got a nice free lunch then I headed to the post office to send letters home :) Met Sam to go to the Oval (a big grass area where there's a red path running right through the middle that has the story that if you walk all the way down that holding hands with your 'lovaaar' and no one crosses your path you're destined for each other!) But anyways there was a huuuge sports and clubs fair going on to let know everyone whats on offer. And each table was handing out something so managed to accumulate 2 tshirts, highlighter, toothbrush, lip balm, water cooler, cup, eraser, sweets and a christian CD! We went along to see Hayley who was promoting at the competitive cheerleading spot. Since it was so mad we didn't spend too long there. Sam had an interview up at a place called 'The Pub' which is meant to resemble a British pub kind of place with similar foods. It was at Polaris Shopping Centre so I went along with her to go to the shops whilst she was at that. Bought 2 tshirts in the sale at Hollister for $12....thats about £4 each! Had a weird encounter with a woman in Sephora...she followed me to the same spot I went to in the store and I was aware someone hovering behind what I was looking at so thought that was weird but I'll just go look somewhere else just now and said Excuse me to get past her and she just sort of moved in front of me again whenever I moved I was like ehhh. Then she was right in my face and said 'excuse me' really loudly...what a crazy! left promptly after that! Visited some more shops, Target again to get me a kettle so I can make my coffee in the mornings :) and then finally Kroger before heading home.

19/9/10

Experienced some of the American family life today, Sam took me along to watch a school american football game that her cousin was in and a lot of her family were there watching. All the parents and family get so involved and bring along their chairs and ice packs. Afterwards we went back to her aunts house which looked out over the Ohio State Uni golf course out their back. Pizza was ordered in and there was home made brownies and another amazzing cake with lots of cream icing. I want to start making American style sweets and cakes and make it again perfect when I'm back home at xmas yumm. Her family were all really nice though and welcoming. Played some basketball in the drive until the light faded then we headed home where just going to watch some TV for the night :)

18/9/10

Ohio Buckeyes were playing Ohio University at home today...just to set it clear there is Ohio State University (OSU) where i go - the buckeyes! and then there is Ohio University (OU) about an hours drive away...easy mistake to make as Kieran made when he was looking at the wrong place online to see where I was! I got a bus down to campus to meet my friend at a house that was having a small party to watch the game. It was quite a boring game since we were winning 40-0 but think the final score was something like 43-7. There is a place on campus that sells OSU merchandise and the sunday after each game that OSU win, they offer discount in their store by how many points we won by. So next time they have a big win like 40+ I'll head there to do my xmas shopping for everyones tshirts haha get 40% off!
After watching the game, my mission was to buy a phone so Diana took me to Target ( this place is ammmazing we definitely need one of these...its like walmart and woolworths all in one but so much better) took a step backwards and got a non touch screen phone with a flip screen but it was the cheapest going. Got a hairdryer too as my one from home would just blow the house up with the voltage difference. Alsssoo 6cents for pads of paper £0.04 not baaad! bought like 6 haha. They have an event there on tuesday for sstudents where they offer discounts and give out freebies so def gonna go to that too. Still on the look out for buying a kettle for my morning coffee instead of boiling water on the stove since most people here have their coffee filter machines but cbaa with that in the morning!
At night I went with Mandi and Sam to a house party at the university district...but on a saturday night literally every house is a party in this area. You could just walk into any and no one would really notice you didn't know the people living here...then head onto the next house. Yet again more people were like 'aw that's so cool you're from Scotland'...then 'do you have an accent? Let me hear you talk?' They all say I'm so lucky to get to go to Spain, Italy and stuff since a lot haven't been to Europe even that i've spoken to. But then its more expensive for them and say to them that for us its 3 hours max in a place then thats your summer hols going to these places. One guy when I said Miami, FL was my second choice he was like ohh you made a mistake you should have gone to Miami! But I think he's wrong...I don't think I could enjoy myself anymore in Miami than I am so far here.

17/9/10

One week down - 12 to go!
Can't believe how quickly a week has gone by though and once classes start they are sure to just fly by the weeks.
There was another event for international students up at campus again, this time a party outside with music, wee talent show, pizza and most importantly sun! My friend Diana who is from Sweden picked me up and we went together but didn't know anyone else really and felt too scared to go up and start talking to others who looked like they were European. But she overheard another girl speaking in Swedish so that was an icebreaker to go speak to the table and it turned out a lot sitting at the table were here doing Business too. And then the business exchange coordinator, Roman, who has organised emails and stuff to everyone before we got here was there and gathered all the Fisher students to say their name and where they are from. There are people from Italy, Norway, Denmark, Mexico, Hong Kong. A lot are only here for one quarter until decemeber but I think exchange students arrive each quarter so a few more will arrive in January time.
Afterwards, Diana chummed me to a BBQ at the girls house who I've been paired up with to show me around at the business school so we sat outside on their porch eating hot dogs and drinking beer :) Then I chummed Diana along to one of her friends houses for some more beer and  since they were all 21 they were heading out after but Sam picked me up and we went to the Dental Frat party where beer was help yourself on the tap but was hte cheapest of cheap stuff! The beer here I don't mind drinking when its super cold, it's not as strong as the beers served back home ( I think). Almost had my first shot of beer pong but sadly when we came back to the table everyone had gone so I think the girls are going to teach me here at the house one time since there is a table tennis table down in the basement! I'll be a pro in no time! Everyone I've met though are really friendly and want to know about the UK since a lot haven't been there. Someone also picked up on me saying 'wee while' and thought that was funny saying 'wee' so i'll need to teach them some more scottish words! Told them if they think I have an accent, they should listen to a nid speaking and try understand them...think I should show them The Scheme ahahaha.

16/9/10

Today was an early start...had to be at campus for international orientation at 7.30 so got the bus at 7am. Was just about to leave the house when looked outside and saw the rain bouncing off the roads so back to get my rain jacket and umbrella. It was a weird day for weather..a lot milder and duller with some winds but it was the effects of a storm in central America that we were getting the tail end of with rain and winds. There was even an alarm that sounded out in the afternoon thats used to warn the city of a storm coming and to get inside..but i was stood at a bus stop waiting to get home so not much chance of that. Luckily nothing came of it though. But they test these alarms every wednesday at noon.

Breakfast was put on for us at campus then the orientation day started at 8am with presentations of some of the things to do at Ohio and just more info for us all. There are a lot of international students for the whole uni but only about 50 for Fisher College of Business where I'll be at. But the majority ( and I mean a good 90%+) are Asian students mostly from China here to do their 4 years of studying. I was surprised at how many there was and how few white faces there were, I thought a lot of people from Europe would come here but obviously not. We were taken on a tour of the campus and then back to the lecture hall for more presentations and then it was 5pm time to go home!

At night I went to the cinema (or movies) with Sam and Mandi to see Easy A - it's out back home 22nd Oct - at one minute past midnight. When a film comes out here on the friday its first showing is always at 12.01 but for this film it wasn't busy at all but when Harry Potter makes its debut I bet it'l be packed! Showed my roommates pictures of my school to see if they think it looked like Hogwarts and told them how J K Rowling sat writing the books with the view of our school.

Mall Time!

15/9/10
Today I had a nice lie in for first time got here (still was only 9.30am though) and just lazied about in the morning looking through the big folder of info I got and checking out places on the campus map. Our fees we pay each quarter allow us free use of the recreational facilities like swimming, tennis courts aand the gym so I'm going to need to take use of that otherwise with the American foods here being sooosoo tasty I'm going to come back at xmas looking like santa minus the beard. (although I'll still be bearing lots of gifts :) )
It was a hot day here today - about 25-27C so took my book and read it outside in the back garden. Had to come in after a while though cos it was feeling quite hot and sweaty niiiice.
Headed to Simon Malls late afternoon with Sam, Mandi & Jess after stopping by Damons so Mandi could get her beef skillets. 6pm was a good time to go to the mall as it was quiet - it's open til 9pm i think. Bought some nice body mist spritzers in Bath & Body works that smelll delish. And then spent the rest of my money in Forever 21. Topshop but much cheaper love it! Was meant to be spending my store card my relatives from Las Vegas had got me for Simons Malls on a duvet and blankets for my room but the Macys had quite expensive ones so just going to buy some in Target which is mucho cheaper. They had an Abercrombie and Hollister but we didn't have too much time so I'll leave that for another day seeing as I can get a bus straight there from end of my road.

Health scare!

14/9/10
So today I had to go to the medical centre to sign up with the doctors etc but the queue was huuuge with other international students. It took me over 2 hours to get seen and whilst I was standing in the queue I saw people coming out with cotton wool and plaster over their arm and I thought 'Oh god I'm going to have to give blood here...' I HATE NEEDLES! Think I got myself so worked up thinking about it (what else are you meant to think of on your own in a long queue?!) and no joke almost fainted...had to sit down in the line or think I would have keeled over...great place to do it aswell in the medical centre. Anyways the moment passed and got myself prepped up to get the needle...got to the front desk and found out the blood sample was for TB...hmmm that's why I have a big scar on my arm from the BCG jab. Got to the doctor, he asked where I was from and since the UK is a low risk country I was free to go - reliiiiief!!
I am so pathetic I know.
Left the building smiling and in a good mood which helped cos it was my first time wandering about the campus, the buildings are so diff to back home, all modern and was all really nice with the sun out too :) stopped off at Kroger (supermarket) on way back so think that might be my local food shop as its only 5 mins away in the bus and students ride the bus for free when they show their BuckID !! Still not getting used to the American foods though..can't find too many things you do in Asdas or Tescos like just a sauce jar for chicken or what not so going to have to try look a bit harder and think more about what to make for dinners. I might just live off pasta and fresh veg but their snacks and sweets aisle is to die forrr haha. Make spag bol for din dins and then One Tree Hill started up here last night so watched that with the rooomies then had an earlyish night :)

13th Sept

No post yesterday as didn't do too much that was worthwhile writing! Sorted out my room a bit more and watched some TV to get used to the american channels and find out what channels all my shows are on! Then took a walk along the main road upto a few shops including Macy's about a mile away from the house to buy a few things. It was soo quiet though out walking in terms of the number of people I passed, everyone was just driving.

Today I managed to set up a bank account pretty easily so I can pay my rent and bills. Then I went to campus for the first time by bus to find my way about. Had to go to some registery for international students and in the meeting thing we got remotes like you get in who wants to be a millionaire haha and we had to press the number to answer a question that came on the screen. One of the questions was where everyone is from and only 2% was Europe with about 90%+ from Asia so I'm going to be really surprised if I find someone from the UK let alone Scotland! Had some lunch at Panda Express yummm and bought some of my books. Sitting watching gossip girl now :) xoxo

GO BUCKS!

So managed to unpack most of my things this morning the rest can wait til tomorrow! Then Sam and Hayley took me with them to Chipotle which is a Mexican fast food kind of place where I had a chicken burrito filled with rice, cheese, sour cream, guacamole. It was all really tasty but I wish it was smaller as I couldn't finish it and I hate leaving food but hey I'm in American what do I expect!! We took it back to the house and ate it whilst watching some of the College Football that was on TV. Put on my Ohio State T shirt the girls got me and we headed to one of the fraternity houses near the campus, it was the dental fraternity as thats what the girls study. There was free beer, burgers, hot dogs on the go and when the Ohio State vs Miami game started everyone was in the TV room. My first american football game and against my 2nd choice uni too, but the Buckeyes won 36-24 so that must be a good omen that I picked the right place :) But oh my was the game long...Kick-off was 3.40pm and 4th quarter didn't end til after 7pm. It's cos (a rule I remembered!) when the ball touches the ground, unlike rugby the game stops so the clock is stopped until play starts again...and this happens A LOT! But on the way to the house it was so mad, people in red everywhere heading somewhere to watch the game. And walking along the streets in the 'University District' students were hanging out in their porches with music blaring and red cups in hand. But I found out that Ohio State are ranked 2nd in the league so no wonder everyone goes all out if the team is as good as that! After the game me and Sam went to Damons a restaurant bar where Mandi was working so got bite to eat then headed home.

Arrival

Arrived here safe and sound almost 12 hours after leaving the UK. Flight from Edinburgh to Newark was fine, forgot what it was like not travelling on budget airlines to Spain or wherever getting drinks with every meal and not having to pay! Saw the island of the NYC when landing and looked so pretty can't wait to go visit there. As NY was my first point of entry into US, had to go through Immigration there which all went smoothly. Although after I had done all that and by the time had passed through security again I got to my gate for my next flight with 35 mins spare cos that took about 90 mins! However the flight ended up being delayed almost an hour! Lots of people on that flight to Columbus, OH had the Ohio State t-shirts and what not on with some of the passengers wearing Miami tops as that's who is playing here today against OSU! Sam and Mandi came to get me from the airport and took me back to the house which is lovely. So american with it all open planned and basement and garage. Then we all went to Walmart to get me some pillows, sheets, mirror and some food. Bought some Lucky Charms ahaha! It's about 7.30am here but I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep...hope my body gets used to the time difference soon! Planning to just stay in this morning and catch mummy and daddy on skype whilst unpacking my things and making it look homely my room. Then this afternoon going with the girls to one of their friends houses to watch on TV the big football game so hopefully someone can explain it to me!

Still in the burger

6 more sleeps untill I jet off! Got everything I need and sorted now just need to pack and hope everything I want to take fits into the 2 big suitcases I have plus a smaller cabin one! Although I did find amazing vacuum bags that hopefully will solve any problems and reduce my big sized things like hoodies and coats :) Got events lined up for a few days when I arrive there like orientation things and joining up with the other International students for free food etc so looks like I'l have a busy schedule!