Studying abroad

Age: 20

College or University:
Oregon State University/Bangor University studying Zoology. My career aim is to be a Researcher/Wildlife photographer and to be able to work with animals in the wild, and help towards their conservation.

The experience:
Being in Oregon is great. The people here are hard workers and still manage to throw the best parties! I am finding the lectures very interesting, and the lab classes take you on amazing field trips, catching salamanders and frogs in a huge forest with tame deer and the brilliant local birds.

Best of times:
Taking a trip to the mountains organised by our student exchange co-ordinator, and photographing the scenery and deer jumping. I'm off snowboarding this weekend and I'm sure that will be my best moment!

Worst of times:
Choosing to live in a flat with a bad reputation... but we have moved to a gorgeous house for cheaper rent now! Also, exams come around every month which is strenuous but I think it is better than cramming at the end!

Advice:
I’d advise anyone to go for it! It’s a great experience of the American culture and people. It’s good to get to know the people that are going from your university, so you never feel left out. There is a lot of organising to do before classes start, and it is a lot quicker if you can get help from people in the same situation.