Here I sit, six months after an experience that changed my life. Since returning home, a day has not gone by when I have not thought about my time in London. Letting a day pass without some thought about my study abroad experience would almost be impossible as the trip shaped me into the person I am today. This may seem cheesy, but it couldn’t hold more truth.
When I signed up to study abroad, I knew the person that left the states would not be the same person that returned. I had no idea how the experience would change me, I just knew that it would. I imagined that after a while some changes would fade away, completely forgotten. Before leaving, I envisioned that I would come back with a deeper understanding of the world, with a brain full of knowledge of British life and culture. Although I do have a better understanding of the world and probably know more about British life and culture than I even realize, these aren’t the most important things that I took from my time abroad.
When I first came home it was difficult to express to people how I was feeling. I was so excited to be around friends and family that I had missed while I was abroad, but there was always a bit of emptiness. As difficult as it was at times living with 7 other people, I missed the chaos and the adventure that each new day held. When people asked me about the trip, I told them if felt like it was all a dream, like it had never happened. I was different so I knew it couldn’t have been a dream, but there was no other way to describe it.
I had formed friendships, one in particular with my roommate and traveling buddy, Jeana, which will last a lifetime. We had spent nearly every moment of those three months together, with the exception of her weekend trip to Amsterdam. Being separated from everyone who was going through the same adjustments I was was a challenge. With time it got easier and easier to adjust being back in the states. (It definitely helped that I had two online classes to work on that I had put off while I was in London!)
As winter break neared an end, I was ecstatic to move back onto campus and get to see my friends I had been separated from for all those long months. I envisioned the transition being an extremely easy one. I thought classes would be tough, since my semester in London was so easy, but I was pleasantly surprised that they weren’t nearly as bad as I thought they would be. Instead, it was more of a challenge getting back in the swing of things in the activities I was involved in. There just seemed to be so much I had missed and although I wouldn’t trade my time in London for the world, it took some time to fit back in.
I have always been somewhat of a perfectionist when it comes to school and my grades. A huge lesson I learned in London was that although grades are extremely important (and anyone who knows me knows I would never purposefully do poorly) they aren’t everything. Instead of laboring hours over assignments, I learned how to get them done in a minimal amount of time and still achieve the grade I desired. I believe this is what kept me sane this semester as I was completing 21 credit hours. With my prior outlook on school, I would have never left my room. I don’t know exactly what it was that made me come to this realization, but it definitely has given me the opportunity to enjoy life a little bit more.
If anything contributed to this change, it would be that I gained the self-confidence back that I had been lacking. It is amazing what just a little bit of self-confidence can help a person achieve. It all starts with believing in yourself first before others will believe in you. While I was in London, I began to believe in myself and began to dream big. After having the opportunity to see the world, I realized the only boundaries we have to deal with are the ones we set ourselves. We only have one life to live, so we better live it well.
Somehow the semester managed to disappear right before my eyes. By the time I had adjusted to being back on campus, it was Spring Break. Then by the time the craziness of the semester settled down, my sophomore year had come to an end. I was reluctant to leave my friends, as I had missed out on spending a whole semester with them, but it was time to head home and start working again.
Although both Jeana and I had full semester loads to deal with, we always managed to find a little bit of time each week to look back on our time in London. Sometimes it filled us with happiness to reflect, other times it made us sad. Many times people tell me not to look back on it and be sad, but to reflect on it and remember the good times. Of course what these people don’t know is this is easier said than done and I think difficult to understand unless you were a part of the experience. Reflecting back on the good times just leaves me longing to be back in Europe, but also helps drive me to find a way to go back someday.
During my time abroad I became open to new people and experiences that I hadn’t even realized I had been so closed off to before. Being immersed in new cultures definitely opens up your eyes to how diverse and unique the world we live in is. I am now more open to trying new things and meeting new people. You never know what you are going to like until you try it and you never know what possibilities can open up by meeting a new person. My time abroad has definitely shaped the person I am today, and I hope it will continue to shape me for the rest of my life.
I never want to forget all the things I was able to learn about myself and others while I was abroad. As the days pass and more time inches between my experience and the present, I continue to realize more and more how this experience impacted my life. London Centre Fall 2010 was an incredible, unforgettable experience. I will end with a quote that seemed to sum up the trip from Wicked, “Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better? I do believe I have been changed for the better. Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”
Monday, June 6
Tuesday, November 30
0...Goodbye London
After very little, if any, sleep I began my final hours in London. We woke up at 5:30 a.m. to be ready for our bus to pick us up at 6:00 a.m. When we woke up, we looked out our window to see the first snow fall of the year.
After scurrying about to throw our final things in our bag it was finally time to say goodbye. At the time it really didn’t even feel like we were leaving. The whole London experience was surreal. The fact that I had been dreaming about studying abroad my whole life had finally become a reality and that reality was about to come to a close. It is really impossible to put into words how I was feeling. The only people who can truly grasp how it felt to leave were those surrounding me. We had shared in an incredible three months together and made our stay in London an experience that none of us will soon forget.
After packing up the bus and having a mini snowball fight, we took one last view of our flat and headed onto the bus. Jeana was staying in London with her family, so she tearfully hugged everyone goodbye before heading to the tube. During all of these moments I thought I would be bawling my head off, but surprisingly it felt like it wasn’t even happening. I don’t think I came to terms with the fact that we were actually leaving until we finally landed in Indy.
Our bus shuttled us to the airport for our last drive through the city of London. It was about a 45 minute ride, and being as it was 6:00 a.m. you would think we would all want to sleep but we were pretty alert the entire way. Denise went with us to the airport and informed us on the way that Nathan had lost his very first tooth the night before!
When we arrived at the airport, we took one last look back at London, even though we were away from the city, and said our final goodbye. After checking all of our bags in (and I was lucky because mine was overweight but they let it slide) we went to sit and wait for our plane to board. When we were able, we boarded the plane and Ashlin and I did some seat trading so we could sulk next to each other for the long ride home.
During the flight we watched movies and napped on and off before landing in Chicago. Everyone was ecstatic to be back on U.S. soil. I’m not sure I was ecstatic as the rest of the group, but it was good to be close to home after a long day of travel. Unfortunately we still had lots of waiting to do before we would make it home.
Our flight to Indy was delayed and then delayed again. Finally we were able to board to plane, only to wait for about an hour before we were cleared to take off. This put us way behind schedule and everyone was getting pretty antsy to just get home, me included. I did nap a bit on this plane, hoping to pass the time quicker, but it didn’t do much good. Eventually we were cleared for takeoff and off we went.
We landed in Indy and met up with Ashlin and her family and friends as they said their hellos. Once we grabbed our luggage and all said our final goodbyes, it was time to make the drive to Indy, where I would finally get to see my sister after three long months. When we landed in Indy, the reality of being home had finally hit and I was ready to just be with my sister. The drive home felt like forever, even though it helped listening to glee on the way home :)
After 9:00 I was dropped off at my sister’s apartment and able to finally give her the big hug I had been waiting for. We grabbed my luggage out of the van and headed inside to eat the mac & cheese she had made me for dinner :)
Since I had seen my parents in London just the week before, I was spending the rest of the week in Muncie with my sister and catching up with friends. I couldn’t think of any easier way to transition than by surrounding myself with people I loved :) I was home sweet home!
After scurrying about to throw our final things in our bag it was finally time to say goodbye. At the time it really didn’t even feel like we were leaving. The whole London experience was surreal. The fact that I had been dreaming about studying abroad my whole life had finally become a reality and that reality was about to come to a close. It is really impossible to put into words how I was feeling. The only people who can truly grasp how it felt to leave were those surrounding me. We had shared in an incredible three months together and made our stay in London an experience that none of us will soon forget.
After packing up the bus and having a mini snowball fight, we took one last view of our flat and headed onto the bus. Jeana was staying in London with her family, so she tearfully hugged everyone goodbye before heading to the tube. During all of these moments I thought I would be bawling my head off, but surprisingly it felt like it wasn’t even happening. I don’t think I came to terms with the fact that we were actually leaving until we finally landed in Indy.
Our bus shuttled us to the airport for our last drive through the city of London. It was about a 45 minute ride, and being as it was 6:00 a.m. you would think we would all want to sleep but we were pretty alert the entire way. Denise went with us to the airport and informed us on the way that Nathan had lost his very first tooth the night before!
When we arrived at the airport, we took one last look back at London, even though we were away from the city, and said our final goodbye. After checking all of our bags in (and I was lucky because mine was overweight but they let it slide) we went to sit and wait for our plane to board. When we were able, we boarded the plane and Ashlin and I did some seat trading so we could sulk next to each other for the long ride home.
During the flight we watched movies and napped on and off before landing in Chicago. Everyone was ecstatic to be back on U.S. soil. I’m not sure I was ecstatic as the rest of the group, but it was good to be close to home after a long day of travel. Unfortunately we still had lots of waiting to do before we would make it home.
Our flight to Indy was delayed and then delayed again. Finally we were able to board to plane, only to wait for about an hour before we were cleared to take off. This put us way behind schedule and everyone was getting pretty antsy to just get home, me included. I did nap a bit on this plane, hoping to pass the time quicker, but it didn’t do much good. Eventually we were cleared for takeoff and off we went.
We landed in Indy and met up with Ashlin and her family and friends as they said their hellos. Once we grabbed our luggage and all said our final goodbyes, it was time to make the drive to Indy, where I would finally get to see my sister after three long months. When we landed in Indy, the reality of being home had finally hit and I was ready to just be with my sister. The drive home felt like forever, even though it helped listening to glee on the way home :)
After 9:00 I was dropped off at my sister’s apartment and able to finally give her the big hug I had been waiting for. We grabbed my luggage out of the van and headed inside to eat the mac & cheese she had made me for dinner :)
Since I had seen my parents in London just the week before, I was spending the rest of the week in Muncie with my sister and catching up with friends. I couldn’t think of any easier way to transition than by surrounding myself with people I loved :) I was home sweet home!
Monday, November 29
1....
There would be no better way to spend our last day in London than all together, so thats what we did. Everyone finished packing our bags and weighing and reweighing them. Then it was time to scour the flats and make sure they were as clean as we got them.
We had a bit of fun when we cleaned the kitchen and literally cooked everything that was in our cabints that we were going to have to throw out. It was quite the combo of things, but at least it didn't all end up going to waste!
After all the packing and cleaning was done it was finally time for one last night of fun in London. We were all headed to Hyde Park for the Winter Wonderland Festival. Since the tube was on strike (we began and ended with a strike..sort of fitting because we didn't want to leave either!) we all piled on a bus to get there. At the festival our first activity was ice skating. The Bailey boys had never been before so it was fun to help them learn. Nathan was so proud he never fell...what he doesn't know is my arm almost fell off by preventing him from falling so many times :) It was completely worth it though :)
The ice skating took place in one hour increments sow e had an hour on the ice. It flew by as we were having so much fun. When our time was up we explored the festival for a while before it was time to heavd to the circus! I had never been to a circus before and this wasn't exactly a normal curcus but it was fun nonetheless. When the circus ended it was off to the flat as we had a very early morning and long day ahead of us as we would leave the city of London behind.
Of course as soon as we got back none of us were in any mood to go to sleep. Jeana and Ashlin and I hung out and reminisced over all the great times we had throughout this entire experience. Then we were being silly and took some pictures of our room/bathroom/hallway so we would always remember where this incredible journey took place.
Around 2:00 am we decided we ought to try to get some sleep. Even though Jeana and I got in bed, we ended up talking for a long time. I'm not even sure when we decided we should try to sleep but I don't think I ended up sleeping much at all as my brain would not shut down. I don't know how it could. I wasn't ready to go home. In my heart I knew it was time though. Without everyone else there with me the experience would not have been the same. I also knew that it was going to be better to leave before I was ready than to wait until I wanted to go home. I'd always rather look back somewhere where I have only good memories :)
We had a bit of fun when we cleaned the kitchen and literally cooked everything that was in our cabints that we were going to have to throw out. It was quite the combo of things, but at least it didn't all end up going to waste!
After all the packing and cleaning was done it was finally time for one last night of fun in London. We were all headed to Hyde Park for the Winter Wonderland Festival. Since the tube was on strike (we began and ended with a strike..sort of fitting because we didn't want to leave either!) we all piled on a bus to get there. At the festival our first activity was ice skating. The Bailey boys had never been before so it was fun to help them learn. Nathan was so proud he never fell...what he doesn't know is my arm almost fell off by preventing him from falling so many times :) It was completely worth it though :)
The ice skating took place in one hour increments sow e had an hour on the ice. It flew by as we were having so much fun. When our time was up we explored the festival for a while before it was time to heavd to the circus! I had never been to a circus before and this wasn't exactly a normal curcus but it was fun nonetheless. When the circus ended it was off to the flat as we had a very early morning and long day ahead of us as we would leave the city of London behind.
Of course as soon as we got back none of us were in any mood to go to sleep. Jeana and Ashlin and I hung out and reminisced over all the great times we had throughout this entire experience. Then we were being silly and took some pictures of our room/bathroom/hallway so we would always remember where this incredible journey took place.
Around 2:00 am we decided we ought to try to get some sleep. Even though Jeana and I got in bed, we ended up talking for a long time. I'm not even sure when we decided we should try to sleep but I don't think I ended up sleeping much at all as my brain would not shut down. I don't know how it could. I wasn't ready to go home. In my heart I knew it was time though. Without everyone else there with me the experience would not have been the same. I also knew that it was going to be better to leave before I was ready than to wait until I wanted to go home. I'd always rather look back somewhere where I have only good memories :)
Sunday, November 28
Countdown...2...
Sunday pretty much consisted of the same type of day as Saturday...lots of packing/cleaning/lounging. Jeana was gone the majority of the day to get get her family from the airport.
In the afternoon, Dalton, Brandon, and I headed downtown to do some last minute shopping. Our tube line was down the whole weekend so getting around wasn't as easy as normal and made leaving the flat a hassle which is why none of us ended up doing much over the weekend.
After we got back it wasn't long before Jeana arrived with her mom and aunt and I got to meet them before they headed to where they were staying. It was a pretty calm day but a good one nonetheless. I can hardly believe tomorrow is our last full day in London but its going to be a great one!
In the afternoon, Dalton, Brandon, and I headed downtown to do some last minute shopping. Our tube line was down the whole weekend so getting around wasn't as easy as normal and made leaving the flat a hassle which is why none of us ended up doing much over the weekend.
After we got back it wasn't long before Jeana arrived with her mom and aunt and I got to meet them before they headed to where they were staying. It was a pretty calm day but a good one nonetheless. I can hardly believe tomorrow is our last full day in London but its going to be a great one!
Saturday, November 27
Packing & Countdown begins...3....
After a late out last night, we decided to spend the day just packing. You would think packing would be a pretty simple process since we just had to take it all home, but it was sort of a challenge!
Jeana and I were going to go to Kensington Palace in the afternoon but after hearing most of it was under construction from my parents we decided to stick around the flat so we could all hang out together.
At night all of us hung out together and played some games to wrap up our last Saturday night in London.
Jeana and I were going to go to Kensington Palace in the afternoon but after hearing most of it was under construction from my parents we decided to stick around the flat so we could all hang out together.
At night all of us hung out together and played some games to wrap up our last Saturday night in London.
Friday, November 26
Cupcakes!
To fully catch up on that sleep that I was in need of, I spent the morning sleeping in while my parents went to Kensington Palace. In the afternoon, Jeana, Ashlin and I met up with my parents in Covent Garden. We walked around and explored the shops and the market.
To take a break from our shopping, we sat down and got some delicious cupcakes from an adorable cupcake store. They were probably the best we had in London, so yummmy :) Definitely something I am going to miss!
My parents were pretty much done in for after their extremely busy week in London so we all headed back to the flats. I packed up some things for them to take home and then we said our goodbyes as they were headed out extremely early to catch their flight back home.
As it was our last weekend in London, we decided to spend our last Friday out on the town so we got dressed and went out for an evening of fun!
To take a break from our shopping, we sat down and got some delicious cupcakes from an adorable cupcake store. They were probably the best we had in London, so yummmy :) Definitely something I am going to miss!
My parents were pretty much done in for after their extremely busy week in London so we all headed back to the flats. I packed up some things for them to take home and then we said our goodbyes as they were headed out extremely early to catch their flight back home.
As it was our last weekend in London, we decided to spend our last Friday out on the town so we got dressed and went out for an evening of fun!
Thursday, November 25
Thanksgiving - Lots to be Thankful For
Back in the states, most families gathered to celebrate all we are thankful for. Here in London it was just another day for almost everyone, except for us few Americans. Even though we weren't in the states, we decided to get together for a thanksgiving feast. (We couldn't miss one of the best holidays of the year afterall!)
Before we gathered to celebrate everything we were thankful for my parents and I went to the Tower of London. The beginning of the morning was a bit rought as we were up most of the night but I managed to meet up with my parents around 9:30. After a few glitches on the tube we made it to the Tower.
Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side again and we froze most of the morning, but we managed to survive :) I had already been to the Tower with Jeana but we didn't get to go on a Yoeman tour so thats the first thing my parents and I did. It was really entertaining though by the end I was just ready to get to some heat! We warmed up by exploring the crown jewels and other indoor exhibits before calling it a day.
My dad wanted to see Tower Bridge so we took a look at it from a distance. Since we were pretty cold we decided not to walk all the way to the bridge so we headed back to the flat to get the food ready for our thanksgiving pitch in. Once we were ready we headed to Denise's flat for our thanksgiving feast to begin.
We had a great time celebrating the holiday together. When we were done eating, as per Matt's family tradition, we all wrote what we were thankful for and put it in a tin. Matt then proceeded to read them and we all guessed who wrote them. It was a really great way to share all the things we have been blessed with.
With everyone full and happy, it was time to wrap up the evening with a trip to the West End to see one final show: The Lion King. My parents went to see a concent at Royal Albert Hall while we went so I said good night to them before we headed out.
The last time I saw the Lion King I slept through the whole thing, so I told Jeana no matter what she had to keep me awake for the entire show! It shouldn't have been a problem because it was such an awesome show but I was extremely tired from lack of sleep the night before. Although I managed to remain awake, I can't say it wasn't a struggle! I'm so happy I was able tos ee the show all the way through this time!
When the show was over it was back to the flats we went to get some much needed sleep!
Before we gathered to celebrate everything we were thankful for my parents and I went to the Tower of London. The beginning of the morning was a bit rought as we were up most of the night but I managed to meet up with my parents around 9:30. After a few glitches on the tube we made it to the Tower.
Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side again and we froze most of the morning, but we managed to survive :) I had already been to the Tower with Jeana but we didn't get to go on a Yoeman tour so thats the first thing my parents and I did. It was really entertaining though by the end I was just ready to get to some heat! We warmed up by exploring the crown jewels and other indoor exhibits before calling it a day.
My dad wanted to see Tower Bridge so we took a look at it from a distance. Since we were pretty cold we decided not to walk all the way to the bridge so we headed back to the flat to get the food ready for our thanksgiving pitch in. Once we were ready we headed to Denise's flat for our thanksgiving feast to begin.
We had a great time celebrating the holiday together. When we were done eating, as per Matt's family tradition, we all wrote what we were thankful for and put it in a tin. Matt then proceeded to read them and we all guessed who wrote them. It was a really great way to share all the things we have been blessed with.
With everyone full and happy, it was time to wrap up the evening with a trip to the West End to see one final show: The Lion King. My parents went to see a concent at Royal Albert Hall while we went so I said good night to them before we headed out.
The last time I saw the Lion King I slept through the whole thing, so I told Jeana no matter what she had to keep me awake for the entire show! It shouldn't have been a problem because it was such an awesome show but I was extremely tired from lack of sleep the night before. Although I managed to remain awake, I can't say it wasn't a struggle! I'm so happy I was able tos ee the show all the way through this time!
When the show was over it was back to the flats we went to get some much needed sleep!
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