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"Studying at UNC-Asheville was one of the most interesting and meaningful years of my life, and I highly recommend studying abroad to those who are able to make the most of this amazing opportunity. It was always my dream to explore the landscapes of America since a young age, and seeing as Asheville lies in the heart of the Appalachian mountains, it quickly became my first choice. The place would come to feel like a second home and I miss it dearly, especially its rolling hills, gorgeous autumn leaves, and the quiet, homely environment it could provide.  

My time there was not straightforward, and before I had even been there 2 months I needed to evacuate the city following the devastating damage that Hurricane Helene inflicted on the local area. I was extremely lucky to be embraced by the people around me who I had only briefly known, who would quickly become good friends of mine after 3 weeks of travelling post-Helene. This experience was both incredibly traumatic and affirming, as out of necessity I saw how people are so ready to come to each other's aid unprompted.  

I became very interested in the local group The Pansy Collective, who helped administer aid in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Being a Sociology student, I was keen to get to the heart of Asheville’s community and became active in attending community events as well as volunteering efforts after the storm. I am still inspired by the extent of community that I was able to experience, give to, and benefit from in a relatively short period of time.  

This would only become more relevant in the second term, which was marked by the beginning of Trump’s second term, which caused a spike of people to become politically involved both on and off campus, myself included. What became apparent in a situation that seems to become more and more hopeless with each day, was that people will come together out of necessity. This political praxis and value in community is something that is core to how I will be conducting myself as a sociologist, and is already shaping my dissertation." 

By Theo Smith (they/them)

For more information about the study abroad opportunities available to Sussex students, please visit https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/study-abroad.