Hi, everyone! Huda here, Class of 2018.
As I begin packing and preparing to leave for Queen Mary University of London, it’s starting to settle in that I’m actually leaving home for the first time and moving to a different continent. My preparation has led me to think about what my expectations are for the semester: how I’ll be treated by locals, what the transition will be like, what the people will be like, etc. As a Muslim woman, I feel like I am extra cautious when interacting with others and, as a result, more polite. Throughout my college career, I have become more outgoing and social, and I hope it will help me once I land at Heathrow. Along the same lines, I feel as though being from a minority background will help me be culturally aware during my interactions with locals, as East London is a growing, diverse area. Speaking to family and friends that live in or have visited London has helped me outline my expectations, as has reading previous blog posts of students that have done the same program. There are some things that can only be learnt through experience, and I’m excited more than I am nervous for the adventure of a lifetime (that Coldplay reference, though).