by Christiaan Cumming

Upon arriving in Missoula, a wave of exhaustion washed over me from the journey, but I was thrilled to have finally reached my destination. The initial days were dedicated to the international student orientation, and despite the lingering travel fatigue, I managed to power through without any sleep issues.

So far, the biggest shock has been the weather. It’s insane here I arrived during the coldest week of winter and got to experience temperatures down to -32 Celsius! Even though skin exposure for as little as 10 minutes could cause frostbite, we bundled up and did some necessary shopping and exploring, utilizing the free public transport. Amidst the snow-covered city and university, Missoula revealed its stunning beauty, making our walks an awe-inspiring experience.

I’ve already hiked to the top of the M trail behind the university and done some awesome exploring, running through the snow-packed trails. This week has been a great start, and I look forward to what the rest of the semester and Montana have to offer.