My familiarity with American Football is limited to several heated matches of Madden NFL 2007 between my brother and I. In fact, American football is as foreign to me as I am to the U.S .

I’m a second-year MBA graduate student attending the fall semester of N.C . State’s Study Abroad Program. Briefly joining me on this cultural whirlwind is my father, Mark McKirdy . He, too, is equally inexperienced when it comes to American college sports and its instilled culture – however, what we lacked in knowledge we certainly made up for in pre-game excitement.

Saturday, wearing matching red N.C . State outfits, we proudly marched with several other foreign exchange students to our first ever college football game at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Making our way through the endless hoards of impassioned tailgaters, I was taken aback by the Southern hospitality on display. It seemed that my broad Australian accent combined with a smile and “g’day” were a permit to gifts of barbequed food, cool drinks and excited conversation.

At some stages, I’m not too sure who was more animated, the inquisitive locals asking questions about all things Australian or me when seeing the torrent of people going to the game.

With the ebb and flow of N.C . State’s red and white sea, making our way to the match, I couldn’t help but be buoyed by the constant chants of ‘Wolf, Pack. Wolf, Pack” – in fact, I joined in.

Never in my life have I seen such unbridled passion for a sports game, let alone a college football match. Back home, although the spirit and competitive rivalry is apparent, only the biggest of sports events will attract such an army of impassioned fans.

My father and I were brought to smiles of awe once we walked through the stadium’s gate No. 4. Being greeted by a barrage of red is something that made me proud to be a student of N.C . State – and, if I were honest, I felt a hint of sympathy for anyone who dared support Liberty — this feeling faded as quickly as the footwork of wide receiver T.J . Graham.

The biggest challenge was not trying to understand the rules of the game, but concentrate on the actual game at hand. The whole event was a patchwork of eye-catching, hand clapping and jump-out-of-your-seat moments, on and off the field.

From the sideline, with gymnasts showcasing their athletic ability to the bellowing brassy sounds of the marching band, it was apparent that this isn’t just a football game, but a display of all things culturally American, a fair for the senses.

Seeing a well-fought win by the Wolfpack was the perfect end to our first ever game of American college football. Having my father beside me, soaking in all things American, made me realize no matter where you may be, its not the location but the people who’ll enrich the environment and culture around you. In the case of N.C . State, I’m already felling like Warren Buffet.

So, next time you’re at a game, don’t be dismayed when hearing one of the loudest voices in the crowd sounding a little unfamiliar, it’ll be my Australian twinge when screaming, “Go Pack.”