"The world is a book, and those who do Not travel read only A page"
- Saint Augustine
Happy New Year’s friends and family! Hoping 2018 is off to a great start for all you cool people. It’s been over two weeks since I returned from one of the greatest experiences of my life, and now that the craziness of the holidays is over, I’d like to share with you all what I learned from my time spent abroad. Before you all start to think my experience was all sunshine and rainbows, I can tell you right now that it’s called STUDY abroad for a reason. Sure, living overseas for a few months can be an exhilarating experience, especially in a city as beautiful as London, but for all you students who are considering studying here, please understand that balancing school and social life is the key to minimizing your stress when deadlines loom around the corner. I have a few more tips for you future Freshers, but first, I’m going to mention some interesting things I learned while I was here.
British culture is surprisingly different from American culture despite speaking the same language. From the way they greet each other to how they dress, it’s really easy to tell who’s an outsider. Instead of saying “hi”, the more common greeting is “you a‘right?”, and branded clothing isn’t very trendy here. Also, the streets are a jaywalker’s paradise, and looking in the wrong direction before crossing the street can get you run over. I feel sorry for bikers because they don’t even get their own lane. Public transportation is very convenient, but it’s not uncommon to have to stand during the ride, especially during peak hours. Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-time pay unlimited bus pass like the one we have at UH, so venturing around the city can get pricey. The experience is worth it though, because realistically, the opportunity to travel around London only comes once in a blue moon. For all you London study abroad enthusiasts, I’m going to share some tips on how you can make the most of your time here, as well as how you can prepare for dorm living. First of all, if you’re planning to travel to other countries during your stay, which I HIGHLY recommend because of the cheap continental airfare, plan as early as possible. The best opportunity to travel will be during your READING WEEK period, so once you find out the date, book those flights! If you are on a budget, don’t be dismayed! There are countless sites to see within London, most of them free. I would recommend using your free time on weekends to explore different parts of the city, whether it be the admiring the beautiful street art of Shoreditch in East London, or the posh, vibrant shops of Soho in West London. My biggest travel tip is DO NOT WASTE A SINGLE DAY. Remember your stay is only temporary! Traveling is one thing, but what most students are nervous about is having to live independently. I’m here to let you know that it’s not as bad as it sounds! The London Study Abroad program provides you with a flexible cookware set so all you have to do is buy the ingredients. If you’re a broke college student like I am, you’ll be glad to know that groceries in London cost only a fraction of what they would in Hawaii, so don’t be afraid to experiment! Start off following basic recipes like pasta or even sandwiches, and slowly start cooking more challenging dishes once you feel comfortable enough not to burn down your kitchen flat. Besides cooking, laundry is another step of adulting and part of that dorm life. If you’ve never done laundry before, you’ll quickly realize that it’s much simpler than you think. Save your one-pound coins because you’ll need them! There’s not much else to say besides go for it! Be sure to check out the Study Abroad Fair in Campus Center on January 17 from 9AM – 2PM, and explore your options. I highly recommend studying in London, but if you’re feeling adventurous you can apply for a non-English speaking country and get pleasantly lost in the culture. There’s really no bad options, and every program will have something unique to offer. So do yourself a favor, stop hesitating, and grab this once in a lifetime opportunity to break free from your comfort zone and make some lifelong memories!
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Melky VelascoEver wondered what it was like to study abroad in London? Me too! Follow me as I adventure through this historical city of opportunity! Archives
January 2018
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