Finally "Fitting In"

We have only been here for approximately one month and the experience has already been mind blowing. We started our first class and it caused a lot of stress for the sixteen of us. It is as if we are starting college all over again, and on top of it we are dealing with the adjustments of being in another country. We have to learn how to manage our studies and our explorations, all over again. Although it has been tough, it has been fabulous. Not only are we able to travel and experience the theater life with our professors but we are able to experience the life of everyday Londoners. We recently went to the Sea Life aquarium in central London and it was a great experience. Yes, we have aquariums in the United States but it is still felt great to go. It was not just about the aquarium itself, but the self pride in our ability to get ourselves there on our own. We made a plan to go as the study abroad group, or the “STABS” as they call us here. We all walked to the tube and found our way there. I was struck with such a feeling of accomplishment being able to get to Central London on our own. It is almost as if we fit in here, except for our difference of speech and dress.

The aquarium was wonderful, not only did it have the normal tanks of fish but it had fish that were more native to England and the area that we are currently living. It was cool to get a little bit of knowledge of what kind of fish are in this area while still having a social outing. Pretty much the exact reason we are here, something I definitely thing out professors would like to hear about. Not only are we having fun touring and experiencing all the famous monuments but we are learning so much at the same time; not only about the country and their customs but also about ourselves. It has been such a blast to be here and I cannot wait to see what interesting and amazing things we stumble upon as we spend our semester in the city of London.