Preparing to study abroad has created a whirlwind of thoughts, questions, worries, and excitements. Some questions like, how will I manage classes? Stay in shape? Cook my own food? Travel freely? Are thought about daily. When I think of my own college experience in the US, things seem so simply and straightforward, how could studying abroad change all this?
In my experience at Rollins, I am used to being around faces I know. Of course, when I arrived I knew few people, but with the intimacy of Rollins community, it is very hard to feel alone as a rising senior. I am used to having my cohort of teammates, or lab partners, or fraternity brothers.
A big difference I am expecting while being in London is the attire and dining experience. Personally, I am on the swim team. This means early mornings, cold swims, and lots of naps. For this reason, my attire always is persistent in its level of comfort. Shorts and t-shirts when it is hot, sweatpants and sweatshirts when it is cool out. Typically, the only time I wear pants to class is when I have a lab, which requires pants for safety reasons. Additionally, when it comes to my diet and eating in America, that is also closely tied to my swim team schedule. After every workout, it is either common for the team to go to the cafeteria for our meal, to eat quickly, then go go to class or go study. This time is social but not dedicated or anything sacred.
From my experience of attire and dining, I do not feel any devout tie to these patterns. Of course, it would be splendid to wear nicer clothes or dedicate more time to my meals. However, that has always been my schedule while at Rollins. But, when I arrive in London, my schedule will not be full or swim practices or lifts, I will have more opportunity to experience what UK’s culture represents. I understand my patterns are circumstantial and nothing I am incredibly tied to. For this reason, I am so excited to start my abroad journey. I have been to Europe before for a short period, briefly experiencing a change in culture. This time, I will have the opportunity to live day to day, have a different schedule and see how my circumstances change and how that will affect my pre-conditioned tendencies.
While I start to prepare and pack for this trip, I am reflecting on my culture and identity. I am excited for how my onboarding will be at Queen Mary: University of London and will talk to you in my next post.