If there were a single word that summed up the cultural attitude of the United States, that word would be freedom. In various aspects of life, freedom is the benchmark in which policies, laws, rules, and mandates are graded upon. If a certain rule or policy impedes freedom, it is generally frowned upon while the…
Category: UK: Lancaster Univ
Final Blog Post
28 December 2019 I have spent a semester abroad in Lancaster, England and am finally home in Winter Park, Florida. I was surprised at how well I had adjusted to the weather and was not too warm when I arrived. It feels amazing to be back. Every morning I wake up to my dog jumping…
November in Lancaster
13 November 2019 As the term is coming to an end, I am surprisingly not stressed at all. This term has been incredibly interesting, yet very chill. I am only taking three courses, so I only have one class a day. I find myself staying up till three or four in the morning watching Tik…
October in Lancaster
17/10/19 It’s week two of classes and all I can say is Rollins has a lot to learn. Lancaster Uni is a very modern school, only founded in 1960. They have one person booths in the library, a charger with an outlet and USB port on each study space, an entire room for silent reading…
September in Lancaster
I finished my summer course on 13/9 so I decided to plan a mini holiday before term started. My first stop was Cologne, Germany. Cologne was definitely a lot different than I thought it was going to be. I knew elementry German, but I certainly didn’t feel my skills were up to par. The first…
My first week in Lancaster, England
August 20, 2019 I have spent about a week in Lancaster, England and thought I would share my thoughts on the program so far. As part of the study abroad program, we are required to take a class called ‘Understanding Britain’ which I originally thought would not be very interesting. I was surprised to…
Pre-Departure Blog
In two weeks, I’ll be heading to Lancaster, England. Lancaster is in the north between Manchester and Liverpool. In departing I wonder how my American culture will alter how individuals in England view me. In applying to the program, I highlighted my Hispanic culture, my LGBT presence and my star sign, Aquarius. Since applying, I…
Concepts: A Cardboard Love Nest; Oxygenated Blood; Home
Home: it’s so close. England has been a beautiful, life-changing experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world, but sometimes I wake up in the morning, cold, my pillow uncomfortably damp from the generalized moisture I’ve found to be so common in this country, and just feeling… a little bit done. Yeah, part of that whole…
Letters of Future’s Past
It’s a little over halfway through my study abroad semester now. The semester is broken up in such a strange way for American students studying abroad at Lancaster; our orientation program was a month long, there’s a two-week break, and then the actual term is only ten weeks. It really is starting to feel like…
When Hail is Full, the Bitterly Cold Will Walk the Earth
It’s late November, sunsets are at 4:30, and it’s easier for me to see my breath than a reason to get up on 35-degree mornings. Fortunately, my 9:00 was cancelled this morning, and I stayed in bed until the sunlight peeking through my window had warmed my room just a little more. The temperature filter…