As I left London, I was reminded of the aspects that initially drew me to choose the program at Queen Mary University of London. Most notably, London being an epicenter of the UK and Europe. I had all these countries at my fingertips and essentially was in the NYC of the eastern world. Next, exploring and understanding the different neighborhoods of London. Lastly, experiencing British education. When I first arrived to campus I was like a deer in headlights. Dealing with looking the opposite way when crossing roads and having to independently schedule my classes, it was a whirlwind. At first, I was quick to judge the British and the way they organize their education system. Barely any classes, without attendance grades and maybe 3 or 4 assignments a semester. However, with this setup, I was able to travel exorbitantly, over 11 countries in 12 weeks. From these weekend travels and discussing with my classmates and flatmates my travels and what’s coming up next, I was able to deeply connect with others. In Europe and the UK, travel is so much more readily available, you can experience so many little pockets of culture. One thing I certainly enjoyed about London was that it was english speaking.
Looking at how someone would view my experience, they would say I was moving around a lot. As mentioned, I traveled most weekends and was always on the move. I took advantage of cheap flights and budgeting travel to see the most I possibly could. In all of Europe, I believe the UK has the smallest culture shock for Americans. Therefore, it was the easiest place for me to settle and have as a home base. I learned a bunch of British slang and the insignificance of British cuisine. London did have some of the best food from other cultures I have had, most restaurants in Chinatown you can’t find a bad meal there. Studying abroad in London was an incredible and life-changing experience. As an American, I was able to fully immerse myself in a new culture and learn so much about the world and myself. I made friends from all over the globe and gained a new perspective on life that I never would have gotten if I had stayed in the United States.
One of the biggest challenges for me was adjusting to the different cultural norms and customs. In London, the pace of life seemed to be slower and people were more laid back than in the States. It took some time for me to get used to this, but eventually I found it to be quite refreshing. Another adjustment I had to make was to the public transportation system. In London, I relied heavily on the Tube to get around and it was a far cry from the car-centric culture I was used to in the States. It was a great way to reduce my carbon footprint, but it did take some getting used to.
Overall, my time abroad was an amazing experience and I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity. However, I do have some concerns about returning to the States and adjusting to life back home. I know it will be difficult to readjust to the faster pace of life and the different cultural norms. But I am confident that the skills and perspective I gained while abroad will serve me well as I navigate this transition. I am excited to return home and apply what I have learned to my studies and future career. And who knows, maybe I will have the chance to study abroad again in the future!