Here we are. It is hard to believe, but it has come down to the final few weeks of my time abroad. In other words, exams are rapidly approaching and my work load is exponentially increasing, given how light my work load was earlier in the semester. Yet I certainly have enjoyed my time here, especially since I have been able to learn so much about topics that I likely would not have had the time to explore had I been studying in the U.S. For example, I enrolled in a class pertaining to international relations as I have always been interested in learning about diplomacy and treaties, but given that I am trying to graduate early, it would be extremely difficult to fit a politics course into my schedule.
Not only have I been able to take courses which I would not have been able to take in the U.S, but given how affordable airfare and ground transportation is, I have certainly taken time to visit other parts of England, as well as other countries. It was on these trips that I was able to see some amazing sights such as the white cliffs of Dover, the Glockenspiel in Munich, the town of Oberammergau (a quaint German town near the Austrian border), and the restaurants of Madrid. Each trip not only allowed me to see a different part of the world, but it also gave me the opportunity to interact in different cultures and meet new people.
This ability to see so many different cultures in such a short span of time is something I will certainly miss when I am to return to the U.S. There’s something so fantastic about being able to go to another country for the weekend, take in as much as you can, and then travel to a completely different country for the next weekend. While there are still opportunities to experience parts of different cultures at home, it is difficult to get such an immersive experience without having to travel a great distance to arrive in a different country.
I will certainly appreciate every last few moments I will be here.