Here's what the first week looked like for students beginning their semesters in Charlotte.
Study USA Charlotte welcomed 18 new students to the fall cohort with a day of activities on Aug. 21.
Students moved in throughout the day, then gathered together for a tour of the apartment complex and a welcome reception in the evening. Property management reviewed community living guidelines and the reception provided an opportunity for community building through snacks and icebreakers led by program assistant, Kaitlyn Hannan.
The following day was filled with orientation activities, including testing out the light rail, which led them straight to the Elon University Charlotte campus. Once they arrived, Associate Director Karen Neff led them through important informational sessions about the upcoming semester.
After a delicious lunch at Charlotte’s famous Optimist Hall, the cohort embarked on a scavenger hunt across NoDa, Uptown, and South End. Students worked in small groups to race around the city looking for iconic Charlotte landmarks and locations. They then met back up at the campus for an ice cream social, where they met local Elon alumni, some whom had participated in the same program a few years ago, to discuss all things Charlotte.
Students had down time over the weekend to settle in before orientation started up again on Monday. Hannan took a few students to play mini golf as the first optional bonding activity, but otherwise, students were free to explore Charlotte on their own. On Monday, they got a head start on their professional development as they prepared elevator pitches, drafted LinkedIn posts, and brainstormed the most important qualities for a successful intern.
That afternoon, the cohort visited Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen for a cooking class, where they worked in groups to create a delicious Tex-Mex dinner. The students received a warm welcome from co-owner and Elon alumnus Andrew Wilen ‘08. Not only did this activity promote bonding between the students, but it also helped prepare them for a semester away from dining halls and their parents’ cooking. This is an example of life skills students build throughout Study USA
programs that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Students then began classes. Professors Young Do Kim, Khirey Walker, and Matthew Hogue dove right into course material, preparing students for a fun but busy semester.
To round out the first week, Neff and Hannan took the cohort to the U.S. National Whitewater Center, for an exciting day of team-building activities including ropes courses, ziplining, and of course, whitewater rafting. Even the less adventurous students were able to push themselves to experience all the whitewater center had to offer, and the cohort started to relax and engage with one another more openly.
All of these experiences, while fun, are also perfectly aligned with the goals of Study USA. This cohort is already acclimating to city living in Charlotte, they have started building a network of alumni and professionals in the Charlotte area, and are participating in place-based learning.
As students begin internships this week, they are also kickstarting their professional careers. This unique experience is exactly what Study USA aims to provide. Study USA provides a unique experience encompassing these personal, professional, and academic objectives. Applications are open for Summer and Fall 2026 – visit the Study USA website to learn more and apply today!