Semester Abroad at ERAU Prescott, Arizona

Hello, my name is Leon and I recently completed a semester abroad at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. I would like to share some of the experience and insights I collected during my time there.

Background

I knew I wanted to study abroad before I applied to university, and I was quite set on the states as the destination. There were lots of options available, but in the US I had to choose between ERAU and Penn State University. The US universities are quite competitive, so it helps to be as detailed in your application as possible. I’d recommend seriously considering why you want to study at your desired university and what resources especially apply to you as a candidate.

Before you arrive

Before you leave for your study abroad destination, there are a few things you need to organize first. Getting in contact with your exchange coordinator at your host university is important, as there will be lots of admin to process, especially lots of documents that need signing.

You will also have to sort out the modules you will be studying, which is an iterative process (and in my case, very drawn out!). This can take a while, but in the meantime you will be able to sort out travel, accommodation, Southampton’s admin, your visa and lots of other things.

Arriving in Arizona

I flew from LHR to JFK, and then on to Phoenix Sky Harbor. Once you leave the airport, likely the first thing you will realize is that you are wearing the wrong clothes. I arrived at midnight mid-August and the temperature was 41 degrees outside! Thankfully, Prescott is located in Northern Arizona, making the temperature much more bearable. There is a shuttle that takes you directly from the airport to ERAU for about fifty dollars. This drive is quite scenic, and will take you two hours north, out of the desert and up the mountains.

These photos were from my first night there, the first photo is the sunset by Willow Lake, a 10 minute walk from the university, the second photo is the 1 minute walk from my accommodation to the university. 

During the first week, you’ll go through an international student orientation, which gives you a great opportunity to make friends with people in a similar position to you. Here I met two other exchange students from Sheffield, and one from Madrid. Today we all still talk to each other, and are planning to meet up in Spain this summer! During this week, and for the next week of normal orientation (freshers week), there will be lots of chances to do things, meet people and have fun! 

ERAU is a great place to study, they have great teaching facilities and resources, and their reputation is long standing in America. They have lots of schemes to support students’ wellness during your time there. Some of my favorite things to do facilitated by the university were use the vouchers they provided to places like the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, and use the university kayaks and paddleboards at one of the local lakes!

Another lake near the university. I really miss the red rocks here.

It is very easy to make friends, especially as you’re coming from the UK (they seem to love this for some reason). American Universities are generally quite social as there is a lot more group work and group discussion, which is definitely seen with ERAU’s small class sizes. 

Differences between studying in the UK and US

The main difference between studying in the UK and the US for me was the way we are assessed. They have a much more continuous assessment style, where you will take quizzes, tests, exams, assignments, midterms and finals as opposed to just taking one exam at the end of your module with a bit of coursework. This makes the workload a lot higher than what I was used to in Southampton. There is definitely a trade-off between this increased workload and the actual difficulty of the work, however. A top grade is much easier to attain in the US, especially with options like extra credit.

Another stark difference is that if you choose to live on campus (I would recommend this, as it is very difficult to organize living somewhere else, and you will need to buy a car), you will have a roommate. While it was a bit weird to get used to at first, I became friends with mine and it quickly became normal.

In America, and especially in Prescott, it is not easy to get anywhere without driving. Everything is much more spread out, and a 20 minute drive becomes “right around the corner”. Most students will have their own car, and it is very easy to make friends so you won’t be stuck on campus, but the other exchange students did choose to buy a car, since they were there for a year.

Highlights of my trip

I tried to pack as much into the four months I was there as possible, it definitely helps to be a yes person. Some of my favorite memories include seeing the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam, visiting Sedona and Flagstaff (nearby towns famous for their beauty), climbing Humphreys Peak (the tallest point in Arizona), going into Phoenix (especially for the state fair) and visiting cities in nearby California (I would personally recommend San Diego and San Francisco). There were definitely places I wish I’d visited too, such as Las Vegas, The Four Corners area, and the north border of Arizona where places like The Wave and Antelope Canyon are located.

The tallest point in Arizona

Thank you for reading, if you have any questions about anything related to ERAU, the USA or the study abroad process in general, you can contact me at ls13g22@soton.ac.uk!