Travelling by plane was exhausting, made me a little bit grumpy, and even a bit stressed. Luckily I traveled with a Dutch friend from the same university. Apparently, I was tired enough to leave my rain jacket at the Orlando Airport. No biggy, since it doesn’t rain in Gainesville right? Arriving at the University of Florida, I mainly notice 2 things, the fact that there are actually bicycle roads, and the size of the campus; filled with a lot of brick buildings.
Somehow, I managed to lose my key fob for the building on my first day in Weaver Hall, the international student hall. This was unfortunate, but it did not affect my happiness, I finally was at UF, GO GATORS. I got an invitation from Dennis, the Dutch friend, to have dinner with his roommate off-campus, in other words: a 40-minute walk. Definitely worth it! After this, his kind roommate even offered me a ride back, after finding out I did that impossible 50 minute walk!
The next day, I found a real jungle in the middle of campus, time to find some alligators! This day my roommate also arrived, with almost 4 times the amount of luggage, he managed to put it just as (dis)organized as me. Apparently, the whole of Florida sleeps/lives in a cold environment by turning the AC on the highest setting. To sleep under a lot of blankets after, bit strange if you ask me\_(ツ)_/.
My intention for these couple of days before all classes start: try to absorb as much information about campus (what’s good etc.) and enjoy. The two associations most open to internacho’s are: BCM and Navigators, both christian associations. They organized parties, game nights, midnight munchies (pancakes). I applied for Navigators, after making sure it was not a problem that I would not partake at the more religious events. They would pair me with a American mentor, so that should be fun. How nice would it be to join a frat? I am still doubting.
On Friday evening the RA’s (resident assistents of the building) organized a meetup with free sandwiches, if something makes me happy, it’s free food! After playing some board games there with the Internacho’s and not Internacho’s (every international gets paired up with an American), we went to a local pub on edge of campus; The Salty Dog. I was with a group of Internacho’s. There we found out that: We are Fucking Kind.
Just a couple of days left before classes start, I am quite certain I’ll have to switch some classes on the first week, it’s just a feeling. We got to see the Gator Stadium, quite huge! I will probably want to buy some tickets. In the evening, I got to see the American version of the Macarena, at a party hosted by Navigators (again, with free food). It was a group dancing on “Cha Cha Slide”, and it was very amusing to see. Back at weaver hall we got to talking about what I could do or see in Florida. It would be nice to go on a trip to the Bahamas, surf in Tampa, join a powerlifting association and go hiking/trips. What do you think I should really do?
