Study Abroad Across the Pond

by Ashley Gilkerson

Oriana Catherine Alexandria Williams, better known as “Ozzy” to her friends, is a junior at Ohio University. Does the nickname ring a bell? If you’re an 80s rock and roll fan, most likely. Surprisingly, the name isn’t all they have in common; Williams is also from England. 

Ozzy Williams at her favorite restaurant in Oxford, England.

EARLY YEARS

Born in London in 1990, Williams comes from a family of four. Her father is a lawyer in Switzerland and her mother is a management consultant. While Williams doesn’t play any sports in college, her grandfather was an Olympic athlete.

Some of Williams’ favorite memories from her childhood include playing hide-and-seek and making assault courses similar to those in military training. She forced her younger brother to go through the courses after she completed them. 

Williams attended a very small primary school in London. When her father got a new job, she moved to Oxford. She went to school in Oxford until she was 13 and then transferred to a boarding school. She lived there until she was 18. Her boarding school has distinguished alumni such as Princess Kate and Princess Eugenie.

UNIVERSITY LIFE

Currently, she is enrolled in Swansea University in Wales, but she is studying abroad in America for a year. Her major is English Literature and American Studies. 

Compared to her university, Ohio University is very different.

Williams enjoys her first American football game.

“The desks here make me feel like I'm in Saved by the Bell. At home, our classes are a lot bigger than the ones I seem to have here. Also, we are only graded on about one or two papers and a final exam for each class,” Williams said.

The choice to study abroad at Ohio University stemmed from Williams’ American Studies major. She wanted to visit the United States and knew a student who had travelled to Ohio before. 

Williams loves the campus and the friendly nature of people here. She enjoyed Homecoming weekend, but the main thing she doesn’t enjoy is the weather.

“When I first got here, I thought I was going to die because it was so hot! We're just not used to the heat at home, especially this late in the year.”

US VS. ENGLAND

The weather isn’t the only noticeable difference between the United States and England. 

First, the cuisine differs greatly. Williams described how fresh produce and fresh fish are staples in the English diet. Also, there are not as many Mexican restaurants in England as there are here. The manner of mealtime varies as well. 

Williams explained that the English “tend to take quite a lot of time when we are out at a restaurant,” but the pace is faster here.

Williams’ schedule at Swansea University isn’t too similar to her schedule here, either. 

Williams eating candy corn for the first time.

She says that she wakes up a lot earlier in Athens. Throughout the day, she will go to class, eat at the dining halls, Skype her friends and family, and go to the gym. 

At her home university, she tends to be outside more. Relaxing at the beach or having a barbecue with friends wouldn’t be out of the ordinary on a weeknight. Also, she tends to go out more often during the week at home. Williams said that the weekends were more for “non-students because it’s so much more expensive on a Saturday.”

FUTURE PLANS

The things Williams will miss most about her study abroad experience include red Solo cups, candy corn (which she tried for the first time during Homecoming weekend), and the friends she has made here. 

After the school year is over, she would like to make a road-trip across the United States. She wants to visit as many places as she can before her visa expires. 

When she’s back in Europe, she plans on touring Switzerland and France throughout the summer. 

As far as her future goes, her dream job changes on a daily basis. 

“This week I have wanted to be a music video producer, a news reporter, and work for the United Nations. I mostly want to make documentaries though or make a career out of being a musician. My life goals are probably just the obvious ones: to be happy, successful and have a family. Oh, and to come back and live in Ohio again!”