Mobility specification

Country:USA

Institution:Western Washington University

City:Bellingham, Washington

Program:ISEP Exchange

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2023/2024

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Education

Study level abroad:Bachelor

🎓Hit the books! How do you rate the university experience?

Can you enroll in a course where you can learn the local language?yes

Does the university offer enough courses in English?they have tons

Are your credits converted?yes

Can you give an example?Western Washington University offers courses for 1 to 6 credits ("their"). These credits were multiplied by 1.5 in consultation with the home coordinator. Thus, a course for 4 credits was worth 6 credits in our country, a course for 1 credit was rounded to 2 credits, etc. It was actually a bit "freestyle", because the foreign university uses completely "unique" credits. :)

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?The classes were theoretical, but it was clear to everyone in them (students and teachers alike) that practice is what counts. And so integration in practice was absolutely essential. This is certainly a big difference from our traditional lectures that bake in the history of this or that field to find even less innovation in what COULD BE at the cost of skimming the surface of what WAS in the past. The classes were also more interactive, and worked on interconnecting the aforementioned practice with essays or preparation for practical exercises, etc.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?Definitely! There was an International Office at the (foreign) university, which organized a lot of mutual meetings during the year. These meetings were both informative and entertaining. They were thematically intertwined with current events (e.g. holidays such as Halloween) as well as more general topics, including cultural differences or coping with finances abroad. The university also communicates through Microsoft Outlook about what is happening at various events, so it is not difficult to "show up" at one of them early. Sometimes all one had to do was walk through the campus and one was chatting with representatives of various projects, surrounded by internship offers or wandering into lectures on sustainability. :)

BUT BEWARE! - I myself tried to integrate into this "community", unlike (some) other international students. Ironically, it also helped that I didn't run into a single person from the Czech Republic or Slovakia during my entire time in the US. Thus, I did not fall into the category of the "German clique" that was always together and in about 10 people "holding the bass", nor into the "I don't talk to anyone" group (either out of reticence or because of the language/cultural barrier). But it was definitely also very interesting to come across foreign students from e.g. Asia, not that not. :)

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?Psychological counseling
Barrier-free access to classrooms and dormitories
Interpretation services
Special examination conditions (e.g., extended time, quiet rooms)
Crisis intervention
Support for LGBTQ+ students (e.g., safe spaces, counseling services)

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:37500 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?yes

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?The fee for release from American jail was a little high.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?It's definitely worth getting a Fred Meyer loyalty card. You can also get a lot of stuff at the Grocery Outlet for a decent price. And then in general - it's always worth cooking for yourself, you just need a little ingenuity, buying on sale, knowing how to get by with little (beware, they don't do that that often in America!), ... If you come across someone who would be kind enough to take you to CostCo, by all means, don't hesitate! Buying in bulk is almost a necessity in America... of course, that doesn't mean you buy a gallon of mayo at the beginning just because it's worth it, but a toilet paper like this, that won't go bad.

Oh, and if you still want to save money, I can only think of two other ways: 1) seek out campus events with catered meals and so-called "food banks" on campus, and 2) agree with your roommates what you're going to buy for whom and suggest splitting larger packages (and the associated expenses) among more people. Then the gallon of mayo might even be worth it... :D Just be prepared for the fact that Americans really don't like to SHARE, so even though it's basically logical, you'll probably run into some weird looks that food can be shared too. :)

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?perfectly

How does public transport work in the city?mostly fine

And what about transport outside the city?terrible

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?Connections are all over the place in Bellingham and even in the surrounding area it's not terrible, but it's definitely above standard in the US. Your fare is paid for by the university, just always carry your "Student Card" with you. You can also pay with a one dollar bill, and it's for one ride. In this case, beware - cards or cash in any other form will not be accepted!

In Vancouver, I recommend buying a "Compass Card" at London Drugs. They have prepaid too, just in case you can't load credit through your card! ... Yes, that's happened too. :)

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?no

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?Definitely local shops - e.g. Buffallo Exchange, various types of second hand shops (so called "thrift stores") - Value Village, Goodwill, Trash to Treasure Thrift Shop, Assistance League, Penny Lane Antique, ...

And then the city in general - including the streets, bars, vinyl record stores, (board) game stores, coffee shops (Woods Coffee), ... there are charming spots on the waterfront, including the so-called "Boardwalk". Fairhaven, about 40 minutes away, offers a glimpse into the fishing past of the place. Besides, every year around Christmas and in the spring, Bellingham hosts "Art Markets" and "Makers Markets" where you can find amazing souvenirs for loved ones or just for you.

Also, Mi Rancho Restaurant! Just go there. You are welcome. haha

What are the must-visit trip destinations?For nature, I recommend Whatcom Falls or Locust Beach (right in Bellingham), Olympic National Park, or Mount Rainier and Mount Baker in North Cascades NP.

Of the two mythical cities that Bellingham is located between, I liked Vancouver better than Seattle. However, in both cities you'll find beautiful nooks and crannies and amazing shops with things you didn't even know existed. :D

Share your best experience:That's really hard. At first I thought it was a Consulting class, where we were in a team to help come up with a "business solution" for the local Tea Manor (an estate that offers tea and various events for the public, sic overpriced...), then I thought it was another class - Negotiations - where I was learning to improvise in English, and then another class that compared American culture with other cultures... And these were all really great experiences, but in the end I think the best experience was helping different people with construction or gardening. Because that's where you could really feel the true American spirit. That "We The People". So I guess.

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?yes

Where can it be arranged?You can get it through the consulate in the Czech Republic (for me in Prague, I don't know if there is one in the villages and such).

What is needed?A lot of documentaries, which I couldn't possibly list all of them here with any luck. Recommendations from a teacher at the home university, a passport, forms from ISEP, payment of processing fees...

How long does it take approximately?It took me about 2 to 3 months, but it's best to get everything sorted out IMMEDIATELY after you know you're accepted. Because sometimes it can (supposedly) drag on for up to half a year. Plus, I didn't have to deal with a consulate appointment because we had already been to the US with my family and they "vetted" us, and therefore me. :)

How did you get to the place?Plane

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?I don't think so. You just have to have all the documents with you. Even if 90% of them are unusable, it's always better to have them all together and with you.

Can you pay by card?neutral

What not to forget when packing?Then maybe see if you need a raincoat on site. I'm sure you do in Bellingham. And then a credit card in case you can't pay with a regular debit card. Otherwise, I'd recommend getting a bank account and SIM card locally. Oh, and they also have different outlets, so if you have adapters :) Having your own (preferably lightweight) laptop is a must. I also recommend a hard drive. And a camera, that always comes in handy. And for the gentlemen, a razor. Oh, and a shirt. Plain white. :D Otherwise, jeans were fine, I didn't need a suit.

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?My experience in the US was transformative in the truest sense of the word. I have met the most people in my entire life and have gathered inspiration that I never knew could exist.