After coming to London, I have learned what it is like traveling by public transport. To get to work or school I need to take an hour’s ride on the overground and underground into central London. I have learned that traveling underground completely changes your sense of direction. Everything feels disconnected from one stop to the next, and the blackness between each stop is like being in the void. I also learned that the mindset around being late due to issues with a train here in London is different from being late due to traffic back home. Because the trains are so reliable, it is understandable if something goes wrong that you might be late. Once I was on a train that kept being held at red signals, so I texted my supervisor, but there was no pressure to rush in.
I value the time myself and others very highly and find it important to show up on time, especially within my academic and professional commitments. I believe that showing up on time shows dedication and sincerity that is lost when individuals show up late or not at all. Being able to plan out my mornings around the time it takes me to get to my work and school has been a challenge, but one that I feel I have conquered. Now that I have been working around the systems and getting used to everything, especially as someone from Florida where nearly everyone drives personal vehicles to get from point A to B, I have gained a new appreciation for the tube and the time it takes me to get to work.
I have found this time to be an opportunity to get ready for my day or decompress at the end of it. I listen to music on the train but have noticed others reading, watching shows, or even working while on their daily commute. I feel that the tube has directly and completely impacted the way I engage with my host country and culture. It has been a conversation starter, an integral part of my day, and a new experience I will forever associate with my time here in London.