Mid way review

I am a the half way point of my time here in America so I thought I'd take some time to reflect on my overall experience here.

So far I've found it to not be too much of a culture shock, although there are a few little things that I have noticed. The work ethic here seems much stronger, everyone seems really keen to work at what ever they're doing and it's really great to see. Perhaps it's because it costs so much more to go to University here so they want to work for what they're paying for?

I'm enjoying the way that the course is structured here. From asking around, I have found out that in your first year you sample everything from acting to set building and then after that you decide what you want to specialise in. You pick the classes that you're most interested in and earn credits from those classes. You get more credits by taking part in shop hours, and when a show is on, you commit yourself to a 'team'. For example, I am on the paint team.

This seems such a good way of doing things, as after working on two AUCB productions, I know how hard it is to get people to help out with the build and paint, however, if students had to take part and could use what they do as part of their unit work, the problem would be eliminated.

The only part of the education system here that I wouldn't enjoy would be the fact that I would have to take an academic minor alongside my creative major. When I ask the students how they feel about it, they generally complain that they have no idea why they have to do something like science as well as acting when they won't use science ever again in their lives. It's almost as if they're forcing students to consider an academic career.

In general, I am really enjoying my experience here, I'm doing so many things that I would never have the chance to do in England. I love being able to make props and be trusted to use workshops on my own. I also love the fact that they are so keen to teach you how to use all of the power tools and let you get really stuck into every project that you are taking part in.

I'm really learning a lot over here and loving every second of it. I can't believe I;m half way through my time in America, I've learnt so much already and can;t wait to experience even more.