The past two weeks have been loaded loaded loaded with exciting things!
My classes have been filled with enlightening field trips, eye-opening discussions, and interesting conferences. In my London Across literature, History, and Film class we went on a field trip to the British Museum, one of the most breathtaking places I have ever been to. The tall ceilings and the overwhelming amount of rooms, galleries, statues, displays, and overall information left me awestruck. It was humbling to see the Parthenon gallery and the Egyptian and Mesopotamian sculptures. I was able to learn from the past and couldn’t stop feeling amazed at how intelligent our ancestors were and how impressive it is that these structures have survived for so long. I felt taken aback by how much variety the museum had and decided that multiple visits are necessary in order to fully indulge oneself in the beauty and knowledge the place has to offer. In my Contemporary Issues class, we had an important discussion about poverty and wealth in London. We learned about how London’s diversity in races and cultures creates all sorts of social tensions and inequalities. My professor and I then attended a conference held at the London School of Economics titled “Hate and Hostility in a Post-Brexit World.” This talk was both enlightening and alarming because the speakers discussed the large increase in hate crimes towards racial minorities, events that have occurred in the very short amount of time following the Brexit decision. Some of these events include people being illegally detained and tortured, women’s hijabs being ripped off, and immigrants receiving envelopes of feces in their mailboxes. The talk left me troubled and disgusted but it also provided me with knowledge on the issue, an essential tool in the change-making process.
At my internship, I have continued to get closer and closer to the pensioners I work with and I can really feel a bond developing between us. This has been made more evident by the fact that some of the less friendly elders, who were hesitant to befriend me at first, are now just as welcoming and kind as the rest. One of these elders is Teresa, a woman who typically isolates herself from the group and refuses to engage in much conversation with anyone. After a few attempts at making conversation with her and showing interest in her hobbies and daily life, I can see that she no longer rejects me. In fact, she now usually invites me to join her in coloring, playing dominoes, and doing word searches. This has been one of my most fulfilling accomplishments and has taught me that sometimes all people really need is some extra attention.
Outside of the classroom, my weeks have been filled with endless fun. Last Friday, I went to the Tate museum of Modern Art. This has been by far one of my favorite places. I loved the collections they had, especially because they all sent a message about contemporary social issues. They had galleries addressing all sorts of key points from feminism to immigration and everything in between. On Saturday, I went to another place that I fell completely in love with: Brighton. This seaside town was absolutely perfect. It was bustling with activity and energy and it had some beautiful sights. Spending the day here with my roommates was one of the best times I’ve had in London so far.