When thinking about a time I have been feeling moments of cultural confrontation, I think about the frustration I have felt about the differences between the education at Rollins and within the London program that I am a part of. Throughout college, I have been used to a more practical and time- manageable schedule. I had been used to having my school schedule organised by myself, with an environment of a community of many other students, resources, and spaces that I was comfortable with. However, moving to a new country, London, and not knowing many others, I had a big change in store. I not only had my classes and the workload from that, which I was used to, but I also had began my internship which is twenty hours a week right off the bat. All while that was occurring, I was trying to get used to the new environment, people, and the program’s community itself. Alongside this, the cultural differences within the school setting were a bit different as well, adding that to another area of change and adjustment within my life. Settling into a new environment in a new country, while also a new type of daily life and scheduling, I feel as though I have noticed myself feeling confused, tired, and nervous. The difference between the two consisted of taking all of my organisation and time management skills that I have been able to put into one are of focus that I was already aware of and used to, and now having to grow within new areas of work and living.
Through this experience, I have been learning how to keep my calm through it all. Although I feel as though I have felt confusion and struggle throughout the process of this cultural confrontation, I believe that I have also gained new skills, and a new insight to life. I feel as though it has changed my way of thinking, and has allowed me to mature and realize that organisation and comfort may take time, but it can always be managed. I adapted to gain new organisation and adjustment skills, as well as more acceptance. Being in London for half of the semester so far, I feel as though I have learned much about myself and new aspects of growth, and that I will continue to grow daily. I realize that differences and change within life can be scary getting used to, but it is so necessary for growth and insight within the world.