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- The change in transportation was one of the hardest adjustments to make in London. Planning ahead of time to make sure I reached my destination on time and learning how the tube lines work was a challenge at first. It took me about 40 minutes on the tube to get to my internship every day; I am used to a 10-15 minute car ride. Also, the behavior on the tube was different than what I have seen on the American subway system. For example, in London, I noticed that the people on the tube are generally quieter. People sit there and read, listen to music, or just sit there quietly. When I first went on the tube with my American peers, we were talking so loud. We adjusted that behavior to fit in and started bringing a book or music to help the time pass. Another cultural difference is the difference in workplace conversations in America versus in London. In America, conversations at work feel surface level; no one talks in depth about their weekend or their personal life. In London, people talk about all sorts of things, their love life, people at work, politics, and personal problems. My first couple weeks at the internship, I was quieter because I was not used to coworkers talking about their personal lives so in-depth. Towards the end, I was much chattier and more prepared to tell stories about my weekend.
- I am grateful for the internship aspect of this study abroad experience. That is mainly where I immersed myself in the British culture and got to understand their perspective. I lived with Americans and my classmates were American as well. At my internship, I met so many people from all over. One thing that I really noticed in London was that people just stop in the middle of the sidewalk. I walk relatively fast, people there walked slower and in the middle of the sidewalk. This made me realize that Americans walk so fast, it was refreshing that people walk slower (sometimes) because I would walk slower and appreciate the city of London.
- If someone from London were to view my experience there, they would know I was American. My friends and I still went to McDonalds all the time, we went to a bar where we knew several study abroad students would be, and during the World Cup we were quietly rooting for America at the pubs. People from London sometimes viewed my friends and me as obnoxious; sometimes we would be so loud on the tube on our way out at night and they would immediately know we are Americans.
- This reflection helps me remember that there are several different perspectives. In my opinion, British people are more upfront and honest, which an American might view as rude because we like to have a kind front when interacting with new people. It is beneficial to remember that people have different experiences and we all approach situations differently.
