So You're a Duck now?

Greetings from the West Pacific! After an epic journey and three flights later we finally arrived at our hotel opposite the campus where we proceeded to order Dominoes and fall asleep at 8pm. I know what you are thinking, and yes I thought the pizza was pretty awesome, maybe a little better than the UK!

Flying was not as stressful as I anticipated. The first glimpse of America I had was the security at Amsterdam airport with the full body scanners and pat downs! Scary stuff but I did feel reassured by the staff who were nice and friendly. So on the flight to Portland I met my first fellow Oregonian. He plays tennis for the Uni and the first thing he asked me was 'What sport do you play?' ... ... ... 'erm...I don't play any sports?' This quickly limited the conversation and was the first indication that this university is definitely sport orientated but he was lovely company on the flight. Amongst other conversation points, the guy told me that campus attire is very casual, up to the point where jeans raise eyebrows and are considered to be seen as 'making an effort'! I must have made a good impression because the guy stuck with us in Portland airport until the Eugene flight, I felt pretty cool. Oregon itself from the sky looked quite a lot like England, a lot of fields and farms. And then it was time for the visa check. The dreaded moment when your hands begin to sweat and your voice quivers making you look suspicious even though you know you have everything with you. The queue for customs only built up the anxiousness and I watched the guy I was going to be dealing with absolutely grill the couple in front of me. My turn. After the guy knew I was studying he seemed to change from scary security guy to friendly American. 'So you're gonna be a duck?' was his first question which relates to the mascot of the uni's football team. Again this was another hint that this team and sports in general were a pretty big deal to the locals. Customs was far easier to navigate than I anticipated and it was just a great start to the American adventure.
 In Portland airport I saw stall after stall dedicated to the Oregon Ducks merchandise. I couldn't even imagine any sports team from UEA being advertised at Norwich Airport, or any other university sports team for that matter. This small thing just blew my mind but then I remembered that the stadium in which the ducks play seats 59,000 people. There are only 20,000 students at the University so the rest of the crowd has to come from somewhere!

The last short flight from Portland to Eugene was an experience in itself. I boarded a tiny plane which had actual propellors! The 30 minute long flight was like a mini aerial tour of Oregon, and again there was a lot of agriculture.

The hotel we are staying in looks like it came straight from a film. Unfortunately the sort of films that come to mind when thinking about the hotel are horrors (or 'Me, Myself and Irene' oddly) and I must admit that I anticipated the sound of a gunshot or an axe-murderer to burst through the door!! Thankfully this didn't happen and in fact the place is a really good base. In fact, one thing I have discovered is how much America looks like the America we see in the movies. I guess it is weird to think that the 'real' America wouldn't be like 'film' America but it does still feel like an augmented reality. I should stress the reason that we are in a hotel is because the international orientation begins on Wednesday but we can't move into our halls until Thursday. Go figure that one out. I am thankful, however, for the opportunity to explore before the crowds descend.

Our hotel :-)

Campus is beautiful. There is no other word to describe it. The buildings are mostly red brick and there are trees everywhere. First impressions are definitely all positive at the moment. Visiting the duck store was amazing. This is where anything and everything that can be branded with the University of Oregon logo can be found and the store is massive. I can't wait to get all kitted out in Oregon gear.
We then had a rest outside one of the libraries and a guy randomly asked us to look after his bike will he dropped off some books. So trusting these Americans are! He even said 'You can ride it all you like' which was a very tempting offer. I just can't imagine people doing the same thing in Norwich.

The business centre on campus

So far the sun has been brightly shining but I have been warned (several times) about the insane amount of rain which falls in Eugene, so I am fully braced for the expected downpours. 

So the campus is quiet at the moment but I'm sure things will change once the international orientation begins. That is when the excitement will really start!! 

Have a great day!

Sarah x