One main cultural confrontation I have experienced here in England is different experiences with urgency and professor interactions. Culturally, in America, we are always in work mode 24/7 and attached to our devices. At Rollins, it is not unusual to receive a response from a professor in a couple of hours, or even a couple…
Category: UK: Queen Mary Univ
Pre-Study Abroad Blog
As I reflect upon U.S. culture, both the fast-paced lifestyle and larger scale of everything comes to mind. In America, people are constantly looking for how to do something in the fastest way possible, whether that be with fast food or technology. People are constantly on the go and prefer to accomplish things in the…
blog post #1 – pre-departure
One of the significant characteristics I have noted about American culture that I have noticed is the aspect and importance that American’s hold with individualism. People generally care about themselves and their comfort more than the common good. This is heavily rooted in our idealisms as a country; liberty and justice for all. These freedoms,…
Homecoming
It has been less than a week since I returned home from London, but I already miss my time there so much. While I was in London, I fell in love with the city, the independence I experienced for the first time, and the friends I made in my church community while I was there….
Confronting communication
In my first week of exploring London, I remember the greatest challenge was talking to sales associates. I wasn’t always in tourist areas and with long shifts they did not speak particularly slow. I found it initially frustrating because we both spoke the same language, but I had no idea what they were saying. When…
Reflections before Departure
At a young age I started to feel as if I was standing with one foot on both sides of a cultural line. I was both too Chinese and too American to personally feel that I held claim to either. Some days this played to my advantage. I could switch languages on whim to talk…
Final Blog post- Queen Mary London
Although my study aboard program in London was cut short due to the pandemic, I will cherish the short time I had in London. I am so thankful I experienced so much in a short time and I felt really got the most out of my London trip.I felt my different identities were very helpful…
First month in London I can’t believe a month already flew by! I have been a justing to life in London quite well. The weather is the biggest change for me. Going from 80 degrees and sunny to 50 and rainy has been an adjustment. I have learned to appricate the unique weather London has…
London Calling
I’ve been back in Florida for a week and a half now. I’m still adjusting to the glaring hot sun and summer weather in the winter. I miss the friends I made in London the most. Being Venezuelan-American and from South Florida, I was able to maintain these identities abroad. When it was 60/70 degrees…