For some, freshman year – the move from home and into a dorm room miles away from family and familiarity – can be intimidating. Homesickness abounds during first semester, particularly for students who might not have travelled extensively prior to college. But for those who have travelled and even lived in other countries, the transition is surprisingly easy. Two freshmen from the University of Portland offer their opinions on why being well-travelled has helped them adjust.
Megan Worthington (far left) and Miranda Dezurik (far right)
Names: Megan Worthington and Miranda Dezurik
Major and Year: Undecided (’16) and History/Political Science (’16)
Where were you born?
Megan: I was born in Sydney, Australia, and I lived there for most of my childhood. All of my family lives in Australia except for my parents and I, so we travel back and forth a lot.
Miranda: I was born in California, but my mother is from Birmingham, so my family lived in England for a few years both when I was a little kid and more recently during middle school.
What is the best part of having family abroad?
Megan: I get to travel to see them! I love going back to Australia to see my cousins and relatives, and since I do it a few times a year, it’s almost like having two homes; one in the States and one in Australia.
Miranda: Because my dad is from the US and my mom is from the UK, I have family in both places, so we split holidays between England and here. I have friends in Birmingham who I went to school with and I get to see them once or twice a year.
Do you think that travelling and living abroad prepared you to move away from home for college?
Megan: Definitely! I’m used to going from place to place, and even though I miss my family, I get to see them when I do travel.
Miranda: Yes. My family actually moved back to the UK when I moved to school, so I haven’t really seen them a lot. It’s been hard, but I’ll get to go to Birmingham over Christmas break, which means I get to see my family and all my old friends.
Do you have plans to study abroad while at University of Portland?
Megan: I’m so excited about studying abroad. I want to go to France, especially. My parents and I have done a fair bit of travelling in Europe, but I haven’t been to France yet. I also would love to go to Freemantle [Australia]!
Miranda: I haven’t decided yet which program(s) I am interested in, but I definitely want to do some travel, even if it’s just a summer program instead of a semester or year.
Favorite non-American slang?
Megan: [laughs] I say ‘bloody’ a lot… My friends all try to mimic my accent, which isn’t always obvious when you meet me. It only comes out on a few words.
Miranda: I like to throw in so much British slang when I’m talking to people. I usually use ‘bloody’ and ‘brill.’