My Exchange at Indiana University
My exchange at Indiana University Bloomington
First Impressions:
Having never been outside the Asia-Pacific region, the first moments upon arriving in America were very special to me. My first impressions upon arriving in Bloomington is how beautiful the campus and the town was. From the limestone buildings to the plethora of different flowers and trees, it certainly left a great impression.
Accommodation:
I opted for on-campus accommodation and stayed in the Ashton dorms (we had three location options, and Ashton was the cheapest). It is a very typical American college-style dorm. I had a private room to myself, but all other facilities are shared by everyone on my floor. The hardest thing for me to get used to was sharing bathrooms and showers with everyone on my floor, but once I got used to that, Ashton was a pleasant experience.
Orientation:
The Maurer School of Law starts their orientation about a week earlier than other schools at IU. It was a very pleasant experience, as our three days of orientation took us through navigating law school in America and future opportunities in the States. The orientation also gave us plenty of opportunities to socialise, including organising social events, as well as group lunches and dinners.
Courses at IU:
Before I talk about the courses, there are two important things to consider. Firstly, class attendance is mandatory, and they are very strict about absences. Secondly, most professors employ the socratic method, so I would strongly recommend to keep up with your readings so you don’t get caught off-guard. In terms of courses, the law school at IU offers a wealth of papers you can take, of a greater variety than what is offered at Auckland Uni. For instance, they offer papers such as entertainment law, information privacy law, etc. One thing to note is that since the American legal system is notably different from our legal system, I found it quite difficult (especially in the initial weeks) to wrap my head around federal vs state law, the constitution, and case law. However, all the professors I had were very helpful and approachable, and helped me get up to speed. Another important factor to consider are the costs of textbooks, which can cost up to several hundred dollars (USD) each.
Bloomington:
IU is situated in Bloomington, a small city in Indiana (about an hour’s drive from Indianapolis). It is the epitome of a small college town in the best ways possible. Kirkwood Avenue (the main street, right outside campus) has that American small town charm that you see in the movies. It’s a very friendly and welcoming city, with something to offer for everyone. For those who are interested in nature, there are lovely trails and beautiful lakes (if you want to have a boat party, Monroe Lake is the place to go!) For those interested in nightlife, there are several bars located across Bloomington within pretty close proximity, and there is a nightclub as well. I would recommend visiting the iconic Upstairs Pub (especially on Tuesday nights where most drinks are $2) and getting an AMF (an iconic drink).
Cost of Living:
America (or at least Bloomington) can be quite costly. My accommodation alone cost $3000USD for the semester, and my meal plan was around $2000USD. Keep in mind that the tipping culture drives up prices considerably. Also, remember that the price listed is not the final price you pay, as tax is not included.
Life on Campus:
Campus life is, for the lack of a better term, just like the movies. All the excitement and fun you may expect from an American college experience is abundantly present. There are communities and clubs for everyone, ranging from sports to arts and culture. IU also hosts countless social events, so there really is something for everyone. There is a strong social culture at IU, which is great as it makes it so much easier to make friends.
Food:
Bloomington is home to a dizzying variety of restaurants, which may be unexpected from a small town. There are many American chains, but there is also a great diversity of ethnic cuisine. If you choose to live on campus, I would suggest to buy a meal plan. In essence, a meal plan lets you eat at the dining halls at IU. This is a great way to save money, as you are always guaranteed meals. There are 6 dining halls aroud the campus, which offer plenty of selections every day.
Highlights of IU:
Where do I start? IU is so much fun! I met so many other exchange students, a few of which I am glad to say are now some of my best friends. IU places strong emphasis on student life, and their efforts are clear. There were so many social events to go to, and I made so many friends throughout all of them. The campus itself is beautiful, especially during Autumn when the vibrant red, orange and yellow leaves grace the entire campus. IU really is like the movies (a common theme throughout this report). Collegiate sports is also a huge part of student culture: I went to the iconic football games at the IU stadium and as you might’ve guessed, it’s just like the movies.
Challenges of IU:
I initially struggled with several things. Firstly, as mentioned previously, having to use communal bathrooms and showers in my dorm. I also struggled with the American legal system as I had no prior knowledge in that field. Furthermore, the socratic method took a while to get used to. I also definitely experienced a bit of culture shock, and was homesick for a few weeks. However, all that faded away pretty quickly and I started enjoying the experience fully.
Advice:
Go for it! If you are able to go on an exchange, know that it will be some of the best times of your life. The prospect of moving to another country for a semester may seem daunting, but incredible experiences are rarely found within your comfort zone. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
Q&A
What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?
In terms of academics, the Maurer School of Law at IU was great. Professors are very engaging and eager to help and provide support, and while the socratic method isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, the overall class atmosphere is very personable and approachable. It feels less like lecturers talking to a class, and more like teachers helping students learn. The classes I took (Information Privacy, Environmental Law) were very interesting and helped me gain a better understanding of the differences in approach between the American and New Zealand legal system.
Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?
I definitely recommend joining a club or community at IU! I joined the gymnastics club as I wanted to try something new in the states, and they were so friendly and welcoming. It’s also a good way to make friends with American students.
What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?
1. Make the most of your exchange! Put yourself out there and be open to new experiences. You’re not there for a long time, so go out of your comfort zone and make the most of every moment.
2. Don’t be afraid to reach out for support! I can only speak to my experience at IU, but people were very willing to help.
3. At times you may feel homesick, or perhaps unable to adapt. Understand that this is completely normal and in time you will get past this hurdle and fully settle in to your exchange.
How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?
I didn’t budget strictly, but I made sure to eat at dining halls most of the time to save money (as dining out gets very expensive when you factor in tips and taxes!) At least for IU, I would recommend getting the cheapest meal plan as you still have access to all the dining halls at any time. I feel like by sticking to dining halls, this was how I saved a lot of money.
What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?
The most important lesson I have learnt from this exchange is to step outside your comfort zone. I was nervous and afraid about moving to a completely different country where I had no connections with anyone there, and I was thinking about all the ways it could go wrong. However, I came to understand that fear of the unknown is completely rational. Know that for all the ways that it could go wrong, it could also go right. My exchange at IU was far greater than I could’ve ever hoped for, and it all started with a willingness to take the first step.
Do you want to share anything about travels you did outside your host city/country?
I would highly recommend traveling around the states; I certainly did a fair bit of that! We did two road trips; one to Lousiville, and another to Nashville. American road trips are definitely a fun experience! We also flew to New York City, Miami, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Boston, and Houston. Domestic flights in America can be very cheap, so if driving isn’t an option, you can consider flying with budget airlines like Spirit. I also noticed that culture differs massively between states; traveling from Boston to Miami is like going to another country! I would recommend getting a full license and applying for an international driver permit, as it makes road trips a lot easier.
