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"Be ready to embrace new things and make best use of the opportunity you are given by balancing a good academic and social life. "
Willamette University (Oregon, USA)
Oshadhi (International Relations)
What made you to decide Double Degree program?
I had always wanted to study in the US and being able to study at Willamette University. Earning two degrees from two universities within 4.5 years is a huge benefit and that is the reason why I applied for this program.
What are you studying for Double Degree?
I'm studying Sociology at Willamette University and have taken other classes such as French and Psychology as well.
What are the biggest challenges you faced/are facing?
The biggest challenge I'm facing is managing my academic, financial, and social life at all once. Being a student from Sri Lanka, I have to work part time (20 hours a week) to cover my financial needs and managing my studies and other social activities on top of that would be the biggest challenge I have faced and am facing at the moment.
What was the most challenging class you took?
The most challenging class I took was Introduction to Psychology. Even though it was an introductory class, it had a heavy class content and subject areas that I'm not very good at such as biology. The exams were more difficult and less enjoyable than in my other classes. However, I still got a lot out of that class.
Which class was your favorite so far?
Some of my favorite classes were Global Sociology and Sociological Theory. In Global Sociology, I learnt about umbrella topics in sociology; such as racism and colonialism. In sociological theory class we studied many sociological theories such as racism, intersectionality, and power-knowledge through a micro lens.
Describe your daily routine.
Last semester on weekdays, my earliest classes usually started at 9:40 am. I would wake up around 8:30 am and do my morning routine, and have a small breakfast either by myself or at Goudy (the university cafeteria) before going to classes. Then I would have lunch with my friends around noon before my evening classes (the class times depend on the classes we take). After classes, I would usually get coffee from the university cafe (there are two) or in downtown Salem and study with my friends near the Millstream (the water stream in the university) or in the library. As I also worked part time, I would work between and after classes as well. On Fridays, usually me and my friends also go out or watch movies on campus. We usually eat dinner around 7:30 pm and after that I would study in my room before going to sleep at around midnight.
On weekends, I would either study in the library or in my room and go out with my friends for coffee or other fun things. I have also gone on other outdoor trips (hikes and camping) organized by the school on weekends.
What is your favorite activity on weekend?
My favorite activity on weekend is hanging out with my friends either on campus or outside. If it's a busy weekend, we would all go to a local coffee shop and study, and then watch a movie on campus afterwards.
What is the best memory?
I have so many good memories to mention. My best memory at Willamette is dancing in the rain with my friends one time (as it rains a lot in Salem, this is not difficult) and enjoying the beautiful sakura season in spring. I would also add random coffee dates and movie nights with friends to this list. During my vacations, I was also able to visit places in the US such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the Capitola beach that I have only seen in movies. So they all have a place in my best memories list as well.
How is your housing situation like?
I lived on campus in a all female residence hall called Lee. I was in a double room with a roommate from TIU and the room was pretty spacious. We were able to decorate it to our liking and even though we didn't have a kitchen in the room we had a common area with a small kitchen, a fridge, and a TV room. As usually the common kitchens in residence halls are small, those who live in a room with no kitchen have to get the school meal plan which gives 10,14, or 19 meals per week. I had.a 10 meal plan (because I didn't eat 3 meals a day it was enough) and the cafeteria has a good variety of food everyday (Mexican, Indian, Japanese, American, etc). However, if you live in an apartment, you get your own kitchen and bathroom and as a result, you don't have to get a meal plan. In my residence hall, the common kitchen and the bathroom was always clean and easy to use. Every residence hall also has student RAs (Resident Advisors) who are ready to help the residents if they encounter any problems. The RAs also organize hall events to build community and ensure the well-being of all residents. So, living in on campus housing was a great experience and a good way to make a lot of friends.
Do you have any advice for those who are going to study abroad?
I would advise you to be open minded as you will learn and experience a lot of new things here in the US. Sometimes, things might get hard, but most of these places are fully equipped with resources to help students and I have benefited from those. In general, I would say to anyone who is going to any university or country for study abroad; be ready to embrace new things and make best use of the opportunity you are given by balancing a good academic and social life. If you do so, you will walk out of your study abroad program with a lot of good memories and friends for life!
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