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