Abroad in the US
Getting from A to B
James Roche
Issue date: 11/17/09 Section: Faces & Places
I'm back again, giving you another one of my insights into my experiences here in America. This time I thought I would comment on the differences in how people get from A to B in Britain and America.
The first, probably most obvious point I think you would agree is that here in America you need a car. This is noticeable to everyone. If you don't have a car you think how much you need one, and if you do have a car you pray that nothing happens to it.
Being an exchange student, I don't have a car, so it can sometimes make me feel restricted in what I want to do. It can be quite frustrating when you think of something good to do, but you can't do it, as there is no way of getting to that place. If you're lucky, you know someone that has a car and can take you places. Fortunately, my girlfriend does and she takes me anywhere I want to go!
Here at CSUSM, there is the Sprinter train that helps people get around. It can help you get all the way from Oceanside to Escondido, which means easy access to the beach! It only costs $2 to ride and the longer you're on it, the more you can get for your money. The train system here seems good. I have only used it a couple of times so I can't really pass a clear judgment on it.
I think the main difference between CSUSM and my university back home (UCLAN) is that this university is a commuter school, so the majority of people live off campus, whereas at my university in Britain the majority of students live on campus. Back in Preston, UK, there is no need for a car. Everything students need is within 10 minutes walking distance: pubs, clubs, shops, you name it.
The train station is also within walking distance and you can get to any part of the country quite easily (although I am aware of the fact that Britain is a lot smaller).
The public transport system is not perfect in Britain. It can be expensive, especially if you wait until the last minute and they're not always on time. One thing I have noticed here in America is the sheer size of the cars: they're huge. Some people have told me that they have small cars and when I've seen them, I've said that would be a decent sized car in Britain. If the people that owned these cars came to Britain and went to buy a car the first question they would ask is where the rest of the car was.
It remains a mystery how some of these big cars fit into such small garages. I have also noticed the size of the freeways are a lot bigger here, 6 or 7 lanes is the average width. It may or may not be hard to believe but Britain's motorways (freeways) are only 3 lanes wide.
From my point of view you don't necessarily need a car in Britain, especially if you're a student, and the transport system can be good enough to get you around. However, you definitely need a car here in America to get around, mostly due to the biggest overriding factor: the place is just so big.
The first, probably most obvious point I think you would agree is that here in America you need a car. This is noticeable to everyone. If you don't have a car you think how much you need one, and if you do have a car you pray that nothing happens to it.
Being an exchange student, I don't have a car, so it can sometimes make me feel restricted in what I want to do. It can be quite frustrating when you think of something good to do, but you can't do it, as there is no way of getting to that place. If you're lucky, you know someone that has a car and can take you places. Fortunately, my girlfriend does and she takes me anywhere I want to go!
Here at CSUSM, there is the Sprinter train that helps people get around. It can help you get all the way from Oceanside to Escondido, which means easy access to the beach! It only costs $2 to ride and the longer you're on it, the more you can get for your money. The train system here seems good. I have only used it a couple of times so I can't really pass a clear judgment on it.
I think the main difference between CSUSM and my university back home (UCLAN) is that this university is a commuter school, so the majority of people live off campus, whereas at my university in Britain the majority of students live on campus. Back in Preston, UK, there is no need for a car. Everything students need is within 10 minutes walking distance: pubs, clubs, shops, you name it.
The train station is also within walking distance and you can get to any part of the country quite easily (although I am aware of the fact that Britain is a lot smaller).
The public transport system is not perfect in Britain. It can be expensive, especially if you wait until the last minute and they're not always on time. One thing I have noticed here in America is the sheer size of the cars: they're huge. Some people have told me that they have small cars and when I've seen them, I've said that would be a decent sized car in Britain. If the people that owned these cars came to Britain and went to buy a car the first question they would ask is where the rest of the car was.
It remains a mystery how some of these big cars fit into such small garages. I have also noticed the size of the freeways are a lot bigger here, 6 or 7 lanes is the average width. It may or may not be hard to believe but Britain's motorways (freeways) are only 3 lanes wide.
From my point of view you don't necessarily need a car in Britain, especially if you're a student, and the transport system can be good enough to get you around. However, you definitely need a car here in America to get around, mostly due to the biggest overriding factor: the place is just so big.
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