East State Tennessee Storytelling Programme Advice

[Kat Quatermass]

Hi,
I'm an English storytelling development worker (meaning I do fundraising, strategy and that kind of stuff) and trainee storyteller. My application is currently in for the ETSU programme starting this autumn, I hope to hear in the next few weeks.
Am currently looking for advice from anyone who knows the university/johnson city/jonesborough well about making choices like:
on or off campus living (at 34 I'm not sure I want to go back to dorm sharing, and I know I want to be able to cook rather than eat from a meal plan)
can I survive without a car (big UK myth about the US is that you can't - at least not if you want to be able to get to shops that sell groceries) - plus general thoughts from anyone who has juggled the course load with graduate assistantship placements and such like...
best types of student health insurance
etc etc...

I keep getting surprised by how close the whole thing is to happening - in the UK Autumn term doesn't start til late Sept early Oct rather than end of August that seems to be the case for ETSU!

Any wisdom gratefully received!

[Rachel Hedman]

Live on campus, but live in a place like Buccaneer Ridge. Though you have a roommate, you have your own room and your own bathroom. You can cook. Plus, you have a living room complete with carpet and couches! You'll love it.

Yes, you can survive without a car. At least a few classmates will have a car--most likely the ones from Tennessee.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

[Kat Quatermass]

Thanks Rachel, I love the idea of Buccaneer Ridge - but it is expensive and already has a long waiting list for the Fall - I think I am possibly going to try this place instead

www.ridgestudenthousing.com

I really would rather live with a family and get a sense of Tennessee culture, but not sure how to go about working that out

[Millie Jackson]

I agree with Rachel - if you can get in the student housing isn't bad. There are also rentals around campus. There is a grocery store fairly close to campus.
I think I had to have measles shots after I arrived because I didn't have the record of having had measles as a child.
It isn't bad juggling an assistantship with the course work. I worked at NSN (which did require a car) but most of the assistantships are on campus.
I loved my year at ETSU. I hope you enjoy your time there as well.
Millie

[Kat Quatermass]

Thanks, I'm just waiting to find out if I have got a GA or TS - thanks for the good news that the juggling isn't too bad - though I suspect I will stick to nine credit hours not twelve if I have a GA - I'd hate to let anything slide in my first semester.
Luckily I discovered the measles thing already - have to have the shots twice, and at least here in the UK I don't have to pay for them. Currently trawling Craigslist for accommodation and hoping to get something sorted before I go.
really looking forward to it.

[Valerie Jean Menard]

This may be a bit too late, but just thought you should hear another perspective. I am just finishing the program and have lived in Johnson City for a year and a half now. One member of the program came without a car. She had a difficult time - not getting to class, but in attending other off-campus activities. She had to rely totally on friends to transport her whenever she wanted to leave campus. I wouldn't want to be without a car there. If you still have not found housing and do decide to get a car, I could possibly help there. I will be leaving my apartment after the July summer session so it will be open. It is approximately a 7 minute drive from campus and is also extremely affordable. Have a great journey!

[Kat Quatermass]

Thanks Valerie, really appreciate the advice - I do know I am going to be having to rely on other people's generosity a lot. But between the fact I love to walk, and possibly getting a pushbike if I have to I'll need to manage. There is a thirty day limit for taking the Tennessee state driving tests and between that and the stress of trying to buy a second hand car - its just more than I want to take on in my first ever month in the states!

[Yvonne Healy]

Hi Kat,
In 2008, I googled public transportation around ETSU. It may not longer be valid. There was a campus jitney. A main public road lies at the bottom of the campus hill. A public bus runs along that road Mon-Friday until early evening but not on weekends. Jonesborough is not a comfortable commute to ETSU without your own car. Biking to & from your flat might be an option, though Tennessee hills can be steep. Have a grand time!

[Kat Quatermass]

thanks. yes daytime public transport in johnson city is fine - evening less so. Am assuming there will be special buses for Jonesborough during the story festival, which is the main time I will need to go there.

[Buck P Creacy]

Transportation? Please don't forget the humble bike. Low maintenance, reasonable speed, goes where cars can't go and you can bring it indoors. Besides that, it is good for you.

I put a 70cc motor on mine for those long hauls when shouldn't be all sweaty when I get there. ha ha

I used it everyday for a year, nowadays, living out in the country and the way to town is a narrow way, I don't dare ride it in the dark of morning. But if I was at ETSU, I would take my bike.

Just a thought

Buck

[Kat Quatermass]

Thanks Buck - I never forget the bike - would love it for its Eco Friendliness - but I haven't ridden one for 20 years. Probably about time I relearnt so if I don't end up staying close to the campus I'll probably be trawling the second hand shops.
I've got my GA confirmed now and it is on campus, so that makes life a little easier - now just need to sort out the house!

[Ann Scroggie]

Get ready for an experience in storytelling, learning and meeting the friendliest people that I know. You will have so many opportunities to go and do and learn and try that you will end up having to pick and chose what you can do. Yes, people are transportation friendly and there is a bus line, but you are actually miles from the main shopping center. There is a grocery store and places to eat, but depending on where you live, it is not convenient. Personally, I would take a car and travel into the mountains, to festivals and to programs. Sure you can bike some, but most places require a car.

And being a graduate assistant means that you will learn a lot---quickly. Whether you work with Joseph or Delanna, ask questions and clarify what you are doing. They will help you and they are very different.

Advice: Immerse yourself in every opportunity because you will never do this again. Age is no factor...only your committment. Welcome to the states and to ETSU and to storytelling in the mountains.