Settling In into the British Life

It’s hard to believe that I’ve only been in England (yes, I made it!) for five days now. I’ve also amazed myself how much I can accomplish within those days. I’ve traveled approximately 3500 miles from home, experienced driving on the left hand side of the road (no, I wasn’t driving, don’t worry), and gone grocery shopping in a foreign country. Most of all, I’ve met some great people so far, both British and American.

I arrived in Bath with about an hour of sleep under my belt, so exhaustion definitely came into play. Morgan and I arrived and settled into our new homes for the next few months. I am living in Nunes House, which is located right on the River Avon, and smack in the middle of the city. After growing up in Vermont where everything has to be accessed by a car, walking is a nice change of pace. It’s remarkable what you can see when you take your time to appreciate and observe your surroundings. I live in a flat, which is similar to an apartment, and I live with two other girls. We have a kitchen, dining room, two bathrooms, and two bedrooms (one is a double, the other is a single). The only drawback of the flat? It’s located on the top fifth floor of the old Georgian style building, which means lots of stairs! So far, it’s been a great experience to cook for myself, and have a place to call my own. I love the girls I live with, and we all get along really well. I’m excited to get to know them better, and see what adventures we’ll go on!

Since this is the first week here, orientation is in full swing. The program I’m studying abroad through is academically challenging, therefore we’ve had to take diagnostic tests these past couple days. Our professors wrote prompts and asked questions for us to answer in essay form. We had an essay for each class. The worst part was getting my brain back in gear for academics after not writing all summer. As I mentioned before, I am in the Education program, therefore I’m in an education placement every Tuesday at Bathampton Primary School. I’m taking three other classes here, which are UK Media in a Globalized World, The Ghosts and the Gothic: The Literature of Terror, and Education in England. Besides the education related classes, I’m taking classes totally unlike those I would take at Saint Michael’s. I’m excited for these classes, as they have study trips and will surely broaden my love of English and academics in general.

Generally, this week has been full of adjustment including everything from jet lag to the realization that many of my friends and family are five hours behind me in their day. It’s helped to get out and explore Bath. We toured the Bath Abbey, which was absolutely phenomenal. I’ve also gone on a couple runs, and to my surprise, saw some extraordinary views along the way. During my runs, it dawned on me that I am finally here in England, and what an opportunity I’ve been given. Yes, this transition period isn’t always the easiest, but I know these next 15 weeks are going to fly by, and before I know it, I’ll be heading back home to the 802. One of the biggest pieces of advice the faculty at ASE told us this week during orientation is to not be a tourist, but become a citizen of Bath. Right now, of course it is hard, but there is a complete change in the experience when one gets out and explores everything the city has to offer.

So what’s ahead these next few days? Tonight, we have a reception at the Victoria Art Gallery to meet our professors. Tomorrow, our student helpers (students who attend Bath Spa University or the University of Bath and help acclimate us to the city) are taking us on a tour of the Saturday markets. Sunday will be an exciting day, as we travel to Stonehenge, and the towns of Salisbury and Lacock, where we will have a traditional Sunday dinner, and look at the sites that were used in Harry Potter movies. I’ll let you all know how it is!

Below are some pictures that I took on my phone when I was on my run the other day. I couldn’t resist!  

Tomorrow's the Day!

I’m all packed and ready to go (as hard as it is to believe!)  In 24 hours from now, I will be boarding my flight to London. It’s starting to set in that I won’t be returning to St. Mike’s until January, especially after seeing all of my friends’ statuses on Facebook announcing their return. However, I know that when I board the plane, an opportunity of a lifetime will await me when I land. Tomorrow will definitely be bittersweet because I will say goodbye to my family for three and a half months, but I know we will have plenty of Skype dates.

Today, I spent the day packing the next few months of my life away into three bags, and I’m quite surprised that I could do it in one shot. After weighing in my checked bag, I packed enough to still be under the 51 pound limit (success!!) Here's what the end result looks like!

This past week has been spent with my friends and family, catching up and making plans to keep in touch while I’m abroad. My cousin, Marissa, and I went to Al’s French Frys last night for one last creemee, and my brother and I took on the State Capitol on Tuesday (he’s a future history major; I have no doubt). I will treasure these moments because it will be the last time I see them until December. However, I know, no matter what, they’re close with me always.

This is going to be a short entry, but I’m off to check-in to my flight. I’m flying over with one of my closest friends, Morgan, who is in the same program with me. I’m so excited we’re flying over together, even though there won’t be a language barrier upon our arrival. The motto of “two heads are better than one” seems prevalent for our upcoming journey, and I’m glad she’ll be with me! This will be my last entry written in the US, and I’m enjoying the last Vermont sunset and homemade dinner given to me.  I’ll keep you all updated when I’m settled in Bath! Until then, I’m heading across the pond!

Best,

Shelby

A New Adventure

The beginning of this blog marks the start of a new adventure in my life. No, I haven’t left the United States yet. In fact, as I write this, I’m in the comfort of my Vermont home and all of its familiar noises, smells, and sights. However, in a week’s time, I will be separated from all this and will form a bond with my new home: Bath, England. Although this new home of mine is only temporary, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited. I also would be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit apprehensive and nervous. Everything I’ve come to know has stemmed from my Vermont and, for those who know me, Midwest (namely, Wisconsin) roots. There is an intimacy I’ve created within my surroundings, which has allowed me to grow into the young adult I am today. I’ve always had a love of road trips and traveling, therefore, when I got the opportunity to study abroad through Saint Michael’s, I couldn’t pass it up. I knew, in the back of my mind, I’d be pushed out of my comfort zone, for better and for worse.

Now, don’t get me wrong, it has always been a dream of mine to travel to England. Don’t ask me why I’ve always wanted to go there because, when thinking about it, I couldn’t pinpoint an exact reason. Maybe it stemmed from my awe of Mary Kate and Ashley when one of their movies was set in London (yes, I watched every one of the duo’s movies!) It could’ve been my love of reading and writing when I was younger, and what better place to learn about the language than in England? As an Elementary Education and English double major, England seemed to be the perfect place for me when it became the time for me to choose a location to study abroad. I am studying abroad through the program Advanced Studies in England, where I will take 3 classes and take part in a primary classroom (ages 6-8) placement once every week.

During my time at Saint Michael’s, my passion for teaching has grown, and I’ve become increasingly more excited to one day have a classroom and students of my own. The opportunity to interact with children that have grown up completely different from my own culture still ceases to amaze me. Even though the children I will work with will only be in the first few years of their life, I believe I will learn far more from them than they will from me.

Right now, I can’t say I exactly know what to expect when I land in Heathrow a week from now. However, I think that’s what makes this all more of an adventure. The things I can say are this:

1.       I will miss my family and friends and will expect updates on their lives while I’m away!

2.       I will be taking pictures left and right of every waking moment.

3.       I will seize every moment I can while I’m abroad and share it with those around me upon my return.

Although a week seems like a solid chunk of time, I’ve learned since entering college that it flies by all too fast. Therefore, I’m filling my last week with the company of my family and friends, and of course…my suitcase. Before I board my plane in Boston, I’m faced with the inevitable task of packing and my love/hate relationship with the task.

To wrap up my rambling (which I’m prone to do), I found this quote the other day and found it quite fitting for my upcoming travels, and the travels of my peers studying abroad this semester as well. Thinking about it, I don’t know what kind of destinations I’ll come across while abroad, but like my grandmother says “If you want to find happiness and good in a place, you’ll find it.”

All my best,
Shelby