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I Poll van I I f-i I The Gameco British university differs fro sfopij bij Matt Chevepton, staff wpitc Whoever said England and the USA were two c divided by the same language was halfway However, the differences between the two count extend far deeper than this, as most USC exchanj students quickly discover. My hometown University is Leeds, which is a fairly typical example m of a city university. Leeds is a large city in the north ' of England and claims to be the cultural capital of the north. For the past few years, the city council has invested large ji sums of money into Leeds, which has ' WSjr had the affect of transforming the city centre into the vibrant and diverse place that it is today. Throughout England there is a distinct student culture, and Leeds is no exception. Traditionally, college students were given a generous maintenance grant which would cover all expenses incurred while studying, but this is no longer the case. This has meant that students no longer have . large amounts of money available for social purposes, but this has not stopped people from carrying out U the traditional activity of going to the pub. \ Indeed, many complain that students in the \ country spend most of their time drinking and sleeping, \ and little time actually studying! \ This is true to a certain extent, as the typical liberal arts student will only have about eight hours of classes \ per week. And as the legal drinking age is 18, much of the social life in Leeds revolves around the various pubs, bars and clubs. Each club has specialist music nights featuring everything from house music to alternative to '70s to top 40, so then something for everyone. Student house parties are therefore not nearly as wide as they are at USC, where many people tend to go out to Fraternities and societies do not exist at English univer and although there are clubs, they are not as widespread. College sports are also on a much smaller level. They ? (apart from when they involve Oxford and Cambridge), and more than a smattering of people. Students in England als conveniences. Items such as microwaves, answering mac cars,are not nearly as commonplace as they are here. A car transportation is plentiful and so it is easy to travel around tl Housing is also of a generally lower quality, althougl students do have their own room. Apart from freshmen, the n of students live in private sector housing, which is of variable c to say the least. Anyone who has seen "The Young Ones" wil what I mean! In general, life in an English city such as Leeds is very di than at USC, and adapting to this change in lifestyle is som all exchange students have to come to terms with. The oppoi of experiencing life in a completely new and contrasting enviro is invaluable, though, and can be a great eye opener. Capo ina Part two of a ck continues m USC ^ ountries right. / iPpVa 0 tend to have less modern ^^^^?(9iSaS S :hines, VCRs, and in particular is in no way essential though, as public ie city. 1 most r-?=r?= tajority \\ luality, \\ lknow X T y\ Norway ething \\ -tnnitv . ' nment s V;:. \ \ led hoi Save up I s Passport two part s, irney to countries be ~~?^ Morwai) s nig "design narcotics. They are accepted because th< e ^ England BEN MULDROW The Gamecock me lati f|fTT7 I ] i n 110 44% _ . _ _7 j. 7_ _ t t yo n a me u.o. ktcluts invite ijoutli to unwind I Top CJI and, staff writep Morwegians have finally found a new way to socialize. Young people gather either in commercialized clubs or in empty industry buildings to dance. This might seem like merely a distortion of the old way, but is significantly different. Norwegians of this new generation have a different platform y for growing up than their parents did. They are financially \ independent, and there are fewer social restrictions on \ their behavior. \ These young people live and interact in a complex \ world. The urban Norwegian must conform to a high\ speed environment. There is a special emphasis on \ clothes, hairstyles, make-up and body piercings. Young r\ people are, therefore, familiar with an environment 1*1 where visual appearance conveys interpersonal Yl messages and signals, k People, and especially young ones, need to have vw||l fun. They want to party in an atmosphere where Si 2 ABO no mean^nS needs to be created and there are no 1/LHJUj demands other than to have a good time. Clubs in the major cities of Norway respond to WM this trend by creating surroundings where youth jHuRra can find this atmosphere. yfwfw Club managers invest effort in finding the best rVgu disc jockeys. The important thing is to build the image War of being the trendiest, most innovative place to dance. HAL One of the tricks of the trade is to invite, and pay, 0y homosexuals to dance in their clubs. oEr The homosexual community is the most artistic Y subculture in Norwegian urban life. They act as role models when it comes to nonverbal communication. Another effort is to arrange special events. One of the most trendy clubs in Oslo, the capitol of Norway, is called "Kristiania". On the first Friday of every month they have an event called "The Friday Society." They completely rearrange their cilities and can, for example, fill the place with foam, 'he fascination for clubbing stems from how the music and the tidings put people into some kind of trance while they are dancing. >us technomusic is like riding a rollercoaster. The DJ takes his and down in intervals, and builds up an energetic atmosphere ig goes faster and faster. The dancers pay no attention to other usic give them a trip of happiness. e with the fear, excitment and lack of substance by indulging in er drugs". Ecstasy, amphetamine and cocaine are popular party ;y promote attributes of human nature that clubbers seek: energy, ndurance, happiness and sexual appetite. Designer drugs are not onsidered a major threat in the Norwegian society, as they are ised by well-established youngsters. [Tiey represent a hazard to the individual clubber, because the larcotics make him or her hate eveiyday life and dream about next veekend's party. Both drugs and the superficial way of behaving reate an environment where looks and clothes play a vital role, rhe clubbing subculture is exclusive. It is difficult to be accepted intVmnt nuttinor rrmrh effort into hnvinc thft ricrht nlothes havincr ? 1W1V?V - ~V ?-D O J D he right tan, having firm bodies and behaving in the accepted way. Reclusive wrecks are looked upon as the ultimate failures, >ut that attitude is also depthless. _I_.A siy r Savings based on a 3-min. AT&T operator-dialed interstate call. A .