My Journey

✈️

August 15

Departure Day

Said goodbye to family at the airport. A mix of excitement and nerves as I boarded the flight to Detroit. Eight hours to think about the adventure ahead.

🏠

August 16

First Steps in Ann Arbor

Landed in Detroit and took an Uber to Ann Arbor. First impressions: everything is so big! Checked into my apartment and started unpacking.

🎉

August 18

Welcome Week Begins

Welcome Week is a great way to meet new people and get to know Ann Arbor. It took a while to figure out how and where to go, but I made some great friends and had a lot of fun.

📚

August 26

Classes Begin

First day of classes at the School of Information. The campus is massive!

🏈

August 30

First Football Game

Experienced my first game at The Big House. 110,000 people, all wearing maize and blue, singing "The Victors".

🚗

September 15

Detroit Day Trip

Visited Detroit for the first time! Explored downtown, saw the Joe Louis Fist monument, and tried some amazing local food. The city's art really surprised me.

🍂

October 5

Fall Colors

The campus slowly started to transform into fall colors. Everything is gold, orange, and red.

🌆

October 12–14

Chicago Weekend

Road trip to Chicago with my new friends! Deep dish pizza, art at the Art Institute, and incredible views from Navy Pier.

🎃

October 31

American Halloween

My first real American Halloween! Dressed up and experienced the chaos of State Street on Halloween night.

❄️

November 25

Colorado Trip

Went to Colorado for Thanksgiving! Visited Boulder and the Rocky Mountains.

🦃

November 28

Thanksgiving Experience

Celebrated my first Thanksgiving with my friend's host family in Colorado. Turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie. Their warmth made me feel very grateful.

📖

December 9–13

Finals Week

Long nights at the library, lots of coffee, and the camaraderie of suffering together.

💛

December 22

Goodbye Ann Arbor

The hardest day. Saying goodbye to friends who became family and a place that became home.