My ISEP Study Experience By Alex Nieuwland

I arrived in Columbia, SC at 4 a.m. on August 12, 2000. My dream had finally come true. I was going to spend one semester as an ISEP exchange student refining my chemistry skills and completing my Master of Science degree.

Welcome to Columbia! It took a few days to get used to Columbia's hot and humid climate, which is unlike the cold and rainy weather in Holland. Prior to starting the official Introduction Period, organized by International Programs for Students, I moved into my new quarters and explored Columbia's nightlife.

During the Introduction Period we went to a Capital City Bombers minor league baseball game. Because I won a pop-quiz on the way to the ballpark, I was allowed to throw out the first pitch of the game, an honor usually reserved for US presidents!! We also went on our first trip to the Wal-Mart. That was one packed school bus!

Columbia itself was founded in 1786 as a dedicated capitol and university city. The University of South Carolina was founded in 1801, and celebrated its bicentennial while I was there. Columbia was built exactly in the geographical middle of the state. As a result of its location it is both hotter and more humid than any of the other cities in South Carolina, a source of considerable masochistic pride to all Columbians. Columbia was destroyed by Sherman's troops during the Civil War, also known as the War Of Northern Aggression, depending on who you ask. However, the State House, South Carolina's version of Capitol Hill, and the Horseshoe, USC's historic campus, were spared. The State House is still a prominent feature in Columbia's skyline. Just before my arrival, the rebel flag was taken from the top of the dome, and moved to the back of the State House near the monument for those who fell during the war.

Ask anyone who has served in the American military, and there is a good chance that he or she spent time at Fort Jackson. Fort Jackson was named after Columbia's homegrown military leader and president Andrew Jackson. Established in 1917, the fort became the biggest in America during WWII. Today it still houses around 100,000 people and the Fort Jackson Army Museum.

Academic Experiences
Amphetamines are a schedule II drug, meaning they have restricted medical use, but also a high potential for severe psychological and physical dependence. While beneficial uses include the treatment of attention deficit syndrome, the misuse of amphetamines (''Speed'' and ''XTC'') is a growing problem for society and professional sports. There is a need for fast screening to detect amphetamine abuse. I worked on developing such a method in the lab of Dr. Steve Morgan. I also attended an excellent class on Forensic Analytical Chemistry taught by Dr. Bill Brewer. The class covered a variety of analytical techniques, with many examples from the forensic field. Guest appearances included a local Crime Scene Investigation officer and a pathologist. Some students were already working for local law enforcement agencies.

I also visited the Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies conference in Nashville, Tennessee, where I attended the two-day short course on Statistical Analysis of Laboratory Data. To the left is a picture of the conference site, the Opryland hotel, one of the largest hotels in the world.

The level of graduate education at the University of South Carolina is certainly on the same level, and maybe even better than at the University of Utrecht. The major difference is that American Universities in general are a lot more ''client oriented'' than their Dutch counterparts. This is a logical result of the fact that students pay much higher tuition here. I had no trouble using my American credits for my Dutch degree.

Other Experiences Life as an international student here offers a wealth of activities. Recurring highlights are the International Student Association's bi-weekly meetings and near-weekly events, and all the lunches offered by local organizations especially for internationals. One of my favorite memories is playing the mad scientist ''Dr. Von Death'' in an international Haunted House during Halloween. My highlights outside Columbia were trips to Washington, Chicago, Augusta, Nashville, Charleston and Connecticut.

I came here to exchange views and experiences with internationals and Americans alike. An ideal vehicle for this was the Thinking Globally sessions, which are part of the University 101 freshman course. During one session a panel of two to five international students shared views and experiences with USC freshmen. I participated in at least 15 sessions, and found most of them very satisfactory. I hope these sessions have opened the eyes of at least some freshmen to the wonderful possibilities of international exchange. Overall, I found Americans a lot more receptive to international experiences, than the typical European stereotype gives them credit for.

Epilogue
Going on exchange to America was one of the best things I have ever done. And it gets better: in January 2001 I started as a PhD student at the University of South Carolina. I will finish my work on amphetamines and have a lot more wonderful international experiences. More on this (including pictures!) can be found on my website.

Contact Me!
Full Name: Alex Nieuwland
Address: 1311, Whaley St., Apartment 507, Columbia, SC 29205
E-mail: [email protected]
Year of ISEP study: Autumn 2000
Home Institution: University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
Host Institution: University of South Carolina , USA

This site is best viewed using Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 and 800x600 resolution.