by Tommy Steele

I have been here just over a month and have enjoyed every part of it apart from the jetlag.

Recently I went on a roadie down to South Carolina with my international friends where we stopped off at Myrtle Beach which had a grand Ferris Wheel just meters off the beach boardwalk! We had lunch there and then continued driving down south to the city of Charleston, where we spent the night and explored the next day. It is a city with a lot of history, it was where the US Civil War began back in 1861. I learnt important history of the beginning of the unification of the United States which is important to understand why things are the way they are here today, while also giving me extra knowledge for my US History elective class I am taking.

During the same week, we experienced a cold snap here in North Carolina of -7 Celsius and it was freezing! As a result, the University of North Carolina Wilmington hosted its annual Cold Plunge event last week in which many brave students jumped into the outside swimming pool at night and although I didn’t want to do it, I had to experience this American madness!

However, the weather has been much warmer since and we are having a lot of lovely sunny days, making it nice walking around campus. The highest temperature I have experienced was 27 degrees Celsius which is crazy for the middle of winter!! As a result, my friends and I went for our first proper swim in an estuary, the water was still so cold.

We had our University Club’s day a few days ago and I was surprised at how many different clubs there are here to get involved with. They range from the surf club, snorkelling club, and water polo club to a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu club. I have signed up for their Swimming Club, Water Polo Club and Surf Club which I am really looking forward to being involved in. I couldn’t help myself be a part of the International Student Organisation here where we have begun planning future events such as a UNCW Prom, pool parties and study sessions.

I attended my first UNCW Basketball game on campus which has a capacity of 5,200 and it was an incredible experience. There was so much team spirit amongst the thousands of fans consisting of many fellow students and their families. I can feel there is a strong sense of community and belonging within the University which I really enjoy, and which I have been learning about in my Sport and Well-being class, that belonging to a community and having a strong sense of belonging is important to one’s overall well-being, and for positive mental health.

Lastly, Wilmington is a really flat city without any hills or mountains and there it feels a lot different to back home in New Zealand with our rolling hill scenery. It is really easy to bike around here which I am not used to. I must say I feel right at home already amongst the American students who are very warm and friendly, and many who go out of their way to ask how you are going and invite you out to fun events on campus!