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Student explores Europe during semester abroad By MARK SIECKMAN FOR THE GAMECOCK Maria Morozowich can travel tc Amsterdam or Paris for the weekend while other USC student! might go home to do laundry oi spend hours at the mall. A third-year marketing and management student, Morozowich is studying abroad this semester at the University of Hull in Northern England, which gives her the opportunity to travel around the United Kingdom and parts ol Europe inexpensively. “I thought Hull would be an interesting place that I would nevei visit otherwise, and I thought it would lend itself easily to visiting other countries,” Morozowich ■ said. “Hull is about three hour! north of London on the east coast and pretty close to Scotland.” Hull’s proximity to northern Europe and its relatively central location in the United Kingdom have opened a wide array of travel opportunities for Morozowich. “I’m only in class for about six hours a week, so I try to spend the rest of my time traveling,” she said. “I’ve been to Paris, Amsterdam, various parts of England and London and Scotland a couple oi times. I am going to Venice ovei spring break, and I hope to visit parts of Spain later this semester,” she said. Morozowich’s spring break last three weeks, during which she has already visited Paris and Scotland, with a trip to Italy planned toward the end. Of the places Morozowich has visited, she said Amsterdam has been her favorite. “I really liked the atmosphere of Amsterdam because it was really laid back. The mentality is completely different than how it is at home. Nothing seems rushed and everyone rides bikes everywhere. It was really pretty,” she said. “Amsterdam does have some pretty sketchy areas, like the red-light district and the smoke shops, but other than that I really liked it.” One of her least favorite aspects of European life is the amount of smokers who live in cities, she said. “Everyone smokes here, and it’s really hard to find non-smoking restaurants. It’s really disgusting, actually,” she said. When she isn’t traveling, Morozowich spends her time at school and has found the English university system in Hull far more pleasant than at USC. “The University of Hull has somewhere between 13,000 and 15,000 students, so my classes are a lot smaller,” Morozowich said. Morozowich is enrolled in three classes that closely resemble USC’s self-guided classes. “The University of Hull works on a pretty autonomous basis, so there is a lot of self-guided studying and reading, so it is all up to you to manage your time,” she said. “The way that the grading and attendance systems work doesn’t present as much competition as they do at USC, which I like a lot better.” Downtime in Hull also provides Morozowich with an array of possibilities. Located on the eastern coast, Hull has numerous points of interest, including a rich city center and shopping district, a notable aquarium, various naval museums and, of course, the occasional pub. However, Morozowich said, the murky English beaches in Hull are a far cry from beaches in America. “Just because I live on the coast doesn’t mean that I live in England’s version of Myrtle Beach. The water is a disgusting, polluted, brown color, and I doubt it will ever get warm enough to set foot on the beach. The coasts are beautiful, though.” Morozowich recommends the experience of studying abroad to any students contemplating the idea, but warns of becoming too accustomed to another way of life. “More and more, I’m getting used to school here, and I think it will be harder adjusting to class at USC once 1 get back,” she said. “Life in England is very rich and relaxing, which is a harsh contrast to the busy deadline-oriented life at USC, but I can’t wait to come home.” Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknews@gwm.sc.edu ■ FRANCE Continued from page 1 their friends hopped over the pond to see them?” Bersinger said. “It really showed me that they cared about me.” The reunited friends then headed to Courchevel, a mountain in the Three Valines Alpine ski resort, where another friend from USC, who is studying in England this semester, joined the group. To spend the most time on the slopes, Bersinger and his friends rented a chalet together. During the week, they spent their time skiing, shopping and cooking for each other. “I expected things to be different since I have changed during my time abroad, but nothing had changed,” Bersingei said. Saying goodbye was difficuli and depressing to the point thai Bersinger wanted to go with hi: friends, he said. However, he said he had ar easier time than most because hi: family came in the next week. Bersinger’s father, uncle anc brother flew into Geneva Switzerland, on March 15. “It was different seeing my famih because I’m used to going a lonj time without seeing them,” he said On top of another week ol skiing, this time in Chamonix Bersinger and his family spent s day in nearby Annecy, a city with canals. “With my family here, we att really good food, but after a weeh of French cuisine, you learn to hatt cheese and really hate prosciutto ham,” Bersinger said. After enjoying some of the best France has to offer with those closest to him, Bersinger has returned to his usual activities in Grenoble, including attending classes and hanging out with his new friends. Since his friends and his family left, Bersinger said he has not experienced any homesickness. He added that he enjoyed the company, though. “It was a good feeling seeing them after three months with no one I really knew from home,” he said. “After seeing them, I feel really rejuvenated and am ready for another two months in France.” Comments on this story? E-mail garnecocknews@gunn.sc. edu o M wm BECOME AN EGG donor; 843-856-1035 Egg Donation Program WE NEED YOUR HELP! We need young, healthy women between 21 - 31 years of age. Donors will be compensated $2500 for their time. Here's a forecast for spring. OUTLOOK is for great shopping! Now Open at Columbia Place Shop at Columbia Place's newest store, Charlotte Russe. From hot trends to career-wear that's hip, Charlotte Russe offers the latest clothing and accessories at great prices for all of a woman's lifestyle needs. Charlotte Russe is located on the upper level at Center Court. Win a $250 Charlotte Russe Shopping Spree Charlotte Russe wants you to have a fresh outlook for spring. 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