L O N D O N

                The day this post gets published on the blog, will be my first full day back in Rhode Island in four months. How strange to think that I spent four months in a place so similar but still so completely different from home. As I am writing this, I am still in London and thus it is so weird to imagine how it will actually feel once I get back home.  I’m imagining that I will be feeling very strange, partially because I’m sure I will have jet lag, but also because I’ve just left my “home” that I spent four months of my life, and returned to my actual home, where I’ve spent the other 223 months of my life. So very bizarre. Isn’t it weird how after what was seemingly both a short span of time and also the longest four months ever (at certain points during the term) I could become so attached to a place? Do I necessarily feel attached to Roehampton, no. But I feel attached to the people I met here, as I said in my post a few weeks ago, and there are definitely places I feel a specific attachment to because of memories I had there.

                I think it is important to explain that I have always wanted to study in London, and I dreamt about it and the fact that I was lucky enough to study here is the most fantastic thing I have done with my life so far. I don’t want to sound like I’m flattering myself, but I am proud, I am very proud of myself for moving so far away from home, and being so successful at achieving basically what I set out to achieve in the first place. I cannot lie and say that these four months didn’t have some tough parts to them, because they certainly did. I was incredibly homesick for the first few weeks here, I found it hard to feel settled, but eventually I got into a routine. I found it hard to be away from all of the people I love so much, but I always kept in contact with them, and remembered that they all support me, they don’t want me to be having a bad time just because I miss them. Being away from everything that is normal to you forces you to create a new normal for yourself, it challenges you, and your independence. It also allows you to see how strong you actually are. There were definitely points in time where I felt like giving up, I remember during the first week, feeling anxious, and nervous and constantly thinking “I can’t do this, I need to go home”, which I actually did consider for a little while at the very start. I am however, very glad that I persevered. I wouldn’t be nearly as confident as I am now, if I had just gone back home. I have really learned so much while I have been here, about myself, and about the world. I know it sounds silly but I even feel like I understand what my position is in society right now, and what it could be if I work hard enough.

                Being in London on my own has motivated me to be better, than I feel I am right now, regardless of what people think of me right now (I’m talking personal image, people). I want to continue to push myself, to get out of my comfort zone. To experience new things all the time, and to never stop learning. To stay away from the rut and the bore of everyday life at home, by constantly doing thing that excite me. Why should they stop, just because I’m home? That’s all I’m saying…

                I really do love London, and I know that in a strange way I’ll always feel a sense of home here now that I’ve had this experience, but I am sure I am glad to be home now. I also know that I will return to live in London again, because I do love it that much and I can see a future for myself here. I plan to write a more in depth and “adventure” based post about London, and all the places I discovered while I was here. BUT for now I will leave you with this, my time in London has been the most strange, wonderful, challenging, beautiful, fun, stressful, scary, invigorating few months I have ever had… ever. Would I do a few things differently? Maybe, maybe not. It’s hard to say because I am not really sure whether it would change anything that much. Regardless I am so thankful and grateful for all of the time I have been able to spend here, and I look forward to returning… soon.
                                                                                                                                 Cheers!! xoxo

A D V E N T U R E

                The one bit of advice I’d like to lend is this - get lost. Get out there and get absolutely lost. This is the BEST way to be a real traveler, find your way around discover things you wouldn’t have otherwise seen had you just stuck to the so- called “straight and narrow”. It applies to all situations, not just necessarily because I am studying abroad, but in life at home too. Seriously. Feeling stuck in a rut? Take a walk, and ditch the map. Maybe at home you know where you’re going, but if you just let yourself wander, you’ll find things you never even knew about.

                I’m not saying do this in a stupid way and not to be aware of your surroundings, because of course safety is important, but in no way should you be afraid to get lost. The best things happen when you challenge your sense of direction, and quite frankly ingenuity. I say that because it’s funny to think about yourself wandering around, actually lost. And what you’d do to try and get to somewhere familiar again. Imagine how silly you look to people who know where they are going… and then throw that right out the window because it actually doesn’t matter.

The idea for this post came to me while I was lost yesterday, actually. And I know for a fact that I looked like an absolute moron, one because I was taking pictures of things everyone was ignoring, and because I’m sure that I probably looked over whelmed at least a tiny bit once I hit Oxford Street. I quite like the idea of taking pictures of things that people overlook, because I think they often offer the best photographs and I find it easier to appreciate things when I am walking around without a destination, so that explains that bit. But being in a place you’ve passed through but never actually explored, is always a bit over whelming, I won’t lie about that. But exploring and adventuring and being lost is also one of the greatest feelings. BUT it doesn’t even come close to the feeling you get when you finally figure out where you are, or make you way back to where you started, or end up exactly where you wanted to.

                This week alone I’ve been lost at least twice, and I’d have it no other way. I’d like to explain to the method behind my madness. I have been done with my classes for two weeks now, and find myself not having very much to do, and being on a budget over here, I am QUITE frugal with my money, unfortunately here it’s easy to loose pounds, and not in a good way. So, when I get up in the morning, I come up with a game plan. I choose a general area that I’d like to visit, if it’s close to campus, like within a 40 minute walking distance, I will walk there, to add a little bit more of an adventurous twist to my day. If not, because I have generally been to all of the places to explore around campus, I will look up the nearest tube or train station or bus stop and take my transit of choice for the day there. Upon my arrival, UNLESS there is something very specific I am looking for, I put my map away completely, and sometimes just hope that I’ll stumble upon the place I was looking for.

Sometimes it works, and sometimes I become hopelessly lost. Fortunately I have a very good sense of direction, and am quite vigilant in the fact that once I’ve been somewhere I tend to remember my way around. But either way I wouldn’t want it any other way. I wouldn’t want to know where I am going all of the time. I love to discover new places and new things. It’s more exciting to stumble upon something great, than to see something that everyone else already knows and thinks is great.

I’ve attached some of the pictures that I have taken, that could only come from exploration, pictures I took while I was walking around aimlessly, with no real purpose or destination. So here’s to adventure, and getting lost!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Cheers! xoxo

F R I E N D S

               As my time here in London is coming to an end, I just want to make a point to shout out to all of the friends I have made since I have been here. You have all been SO WONDERFUL to me the entire time I have been here, regardless of whether you’re just visiting like me, or you’re living in this wonderful city full time. I really do owe you all the biggest of thanks, and I can only hope that you think the same of me.

                First off, to my fellow study abroad peeps, I am impressed with all of us together as a student body, to be brave enough to come out here completely alone and do something so incredibly different from what our normal lives are like at home. There is an undeniable bond between exchange students, because let’s face it, we’re all in the same boat here. We get here, disoriented from a monstrously long flight and then realize that we’ve now got to make friends as quickly as possible to avoid any awkward loneliness.

                To my flat mates, thank you for cultivating such an accepting and friendly environment. I really appreciate it, and I really appreciate always knowing there was someone to talk to just down the hall if I ever needed it. Also, thank you for teaching me how to live with someone other than the people I’ve lived with for my entire life (sorry Mom and Dad, you guys are great tooJ).

                To all the other wonderful souls I’ve met since I have been here, you’ve all been lovely. Whether you’re one of my classmates, who put up with my goofy accent all semester, or just a friend from another school I really appreciate all you have done for me. I know that without each and every one of you (top two groups included), I would have been MISERABLE. So thanks, because at some point or another I am positive you have put a smile on my face, and there isn’t anything better than that. I can only hope that I’ve done the same for you.

                So BIG THANKS, and much love to you all as we go our separate ways. BUT HEY, don’t be a stranger, send me a message every now and again, I’ll look out for them! Also if you’d like any of my other contact information, like an email or something…. or I don’t know maybe you still fax… REGARDLESS I’d be happy to give it to you if you just ask! And remember, if you ever find yourself hanging around in Rhode Island, YOU KNOW JUST THE GIRL TO CALL!

Here’s to all of our memories!! Thanks a bunch!!

Keep being wonderful!!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Cheers!! Xoxo

P.S. I WISH I had some lovely photos of us all together; but I didn’t want to seem unfair, because I only had a few, because in my opinion you all deserve a photo feature!

F O O D R E V O L U T I O N

                There is quite an interesting food scene here in London, and as someone who is always looking for new and innovative recipes on Pinterest, I can certainly appreciate it. You can pretty much get anything you want here in London, whether it’s a typical English pie, an Indian curry or something completely new and different that you’re looking for, you are never more than a 5 minute walk away from exactly what you want.

                With so many options available to me all the time, I feel constantly pressured to try as many new places and things as possible, because unlike everyone’s common misconceptions, British food is NOT bland. I mean, some of it is, but honestly there is a 0.0001% chance that you’d go out to a restaurant here and get served a bland meal unless you intentionally order it. Again, I’d like to emphasize the fact that you can really get anything here, and food innovation is a really big thing. Meals that you would have never been served in a restaurant 2 years ago are super popular here now. There is also a rise in “health” foods, and restaurants that serve new, healthy meals. Many of these meals feature the new superfoods that have recently taken over the globe.

                I mean things like avocado. Why was avocado considered so exotic until recently? Who knows, and also who made it super popular all of a sudden? Or Chia seeds? Who decided instead of rubbing them on their bust of Scooby-doo they were going to sprinkle them on their oatmeal to explore the health benefits. This rise in health foods has driven me to explore the idea of food, and to innovate my own meals. To mix things you’d never think of, and great delicious (and sometimes disgusting) meals. Its all about trial and error with food innovation, I’m sure of that. One of the best ways I have personally found this out is to type two random ingredients into Pinterest and to see which recipes come up. Really, if you’ve got time, give it a try.

                SORRY I got distracted, I was talking about the food scene here in London, and these same strange new food innovations are on menus across the city, like avocado toast (I KNOW THAT IS NOT NEW ANYMORE), where now you’re paying upwards of 8 pounds for two slices of toasted bread with mashed up avocado on it. Funny how you could make that for half the price at home, but would never think to. There are also a lot of places here that cater to vegetarians or vegans, this city is really incredible for anyone with any sort of dietary restriction, self-imposed or not, as almost every restaurant has options for everyone.

                Basically, I encourage you to try something new, try these new health foods as they are currently in high demand, you’ll probably be able to find them on menus near you soon, and they aren’t the same Brussels sprouts or lima beans that you used to think of when you thought of health foods, they are delicious combinations of fruit and vegetables that are revolutionizing the food scene. I am positive these new delicious health foods can certainly help change the way my generation and the next generations look at food, and I think that London with its up and coming restaurants, along with the ones that have been kicking around for a while will be a large part of that shift in thinking.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Cheers!! xoxo

L A N G U A G E

               Today I’d like to write about something very important to me. I’d like to talk about learning language, because as a member of the up-and-coming generation of young professionals, I can see the dire need for this particular ability. I feel personally that knowing more than one language is a hot skill, it makes you more desirable. I know it is not a new skill, and it’s not something that has just become wildly popular, if anything it may be dying out a bit. The fact is, I find most people are not willing to dedicate the time to language learning. Yes, it is work, and yes it can be difficult but in the long run if it does one thing (which it often does more than just one) it is benefitting you. Hopefully though, your language learning can also benefit others too.

                Language is incredible, it’s a means for communication. It gives you a way to reach out to people you may have not been able to reach before. In addition to being able to have contact with people who speak that language; you also become culturally aware (at least a little bit, anyway…) of the people who speak the language you are learning, and not only that but some people (unfortunately not all) become culturally aware of the world around them. I often find people who are willing to dedicate time to learning a language are much more liable to dedicate time to learning about other cultures, regardless of whether they know the specific language of the culture they have chosen to research.

                Learning a language absolutely makes you an academic, you have a heightened awareness for people around you. Often times once you’ve learned one language there is a spark to learn another one. I know my thoughts were that once I learned one language very well, then what’s another one? What is stopping me from knowing more than just two languages? This moment often comes after you’ve successfully communicated something to someone in a language which is not your own.

                So as for me, I hold English as my native language (duh, you already knew that), I can also speak a fair bit of Spanish, and in my opinion an even better bit of German. In my quest to continuously grow my level knowledge I have decided to learn Norwegian this year as well. This time however, it is a little bit different because I am receiving no actual tutoring, I am completely teaching myself. I know that this is no easy task, and therefore I am not seeking perfection. I would like to be proficient enough to ask for the bathroom, have a polite conversation or order something at a restaurant, not have a philosophical debate. That being said, I think having quirky little skills like being able to speak Norwegian will set you apart in life, it will make you interesting, and maybe make you stand out just that little bit more. It also proves that you are driven, because you did indeed dedicate time to learning something you may not have necessarily NEEDED to learn to get the job that you want, or to get into the degree program you want, but that you are passionate about learning, and that you are also willing to expand your skill set for no other reason than to make yourself better.

                Learning a language is not something that must be done during high school or at university, it can be done any time, at any age, and with any amount of time, because the very nature of a language learner is to be a life-long learner. Just like anything else, the more effort you put in the more you’ll get out. If you’ll take anything away from this post, it would be try it out, learn a little bit of a language you’ve always been interested in. You don’t have to invest hours of every day into it, just here and there. But even if you don’t do that, at least make an attempt to understand something about the culture of the people whose language intrigues you. I am a firm believer that it is possible to come into contact with anyone from anywhere if you really try hard enough, so a basic understanding of cultural differences will break down the language barrier a bit, but is also a skill which required for success in modern society. 

Thanks for reading!!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Cheers! xoxo

E X P E R I E N C E S

           Experiences are said to shape who you are. Past and present experiences have shaped your current being, and future experiences aim to mold you into someone potentially different, although people generally don’t want to admit that they change; and what you’d consider an experience and what I’d consider an experience may end up being completely different things. Up until January of this year, I was trying to edit out certain experiences that I’ve had, and I was also focusing way too much on which experiences I would need to have to meet my large expectations for my future that I had (and still have) all planned out.

However, it hasn’t been until recently that I’ve realized how absolutely stupid I have been. I know that goals are essential to success, and I definitely do not disagree, but for myself personally I’ve focused on those goals a little too much. I ended up being so enthralled with the whole idea of this future I could have, that I completely forgot to live in the now. I could probably count on one (maybe two) hand(s) the number of memorable experiences I had in the last few months of 2015; and that isn’t really something to be proud of. I forgot to involve myself in experiences that could potentially help me shape my own future in the way I wanted. My mindset before leaving the US was in fact one that I am certainly not proud of, one of “next month everything will be better” or “my life will finally be perfect once I am in the UK” because I didn’t know what I wanted. I just knew I wanted something different than what I had at the moment. That being said, not knowing what you want is NOT very motivating at all, and that lead me sitting around thinking something would just all of a sudden happen to me, and everything would be great again. NO STUPID, that’s not the case, if you want to make yourself better, you’ve got to get out there and do something.

You’ve got to go to the experiences, they will not come to you.

This is something super valuable that I’ve learned since I have been here. You’ve got to get out, network, and meet people. Go out with friends, and never shy away from anyone introducing you to someone else. Everything you do is an experience, it’s a memory that your future will draw upon. While I do still have a very specific plan of what I’d like my future to look like, I have also come to terms with the fact that you cannot control what is going to happen to you. While I am not completely comfortable to give up the reigns and say “whatever happens, happens”, I am at least aware that this is actually the case because no matter how much preparation you do, things you never anticipate happen all the time.

Since living here in the UK I have really improved my motivation to gain experiences that will benefit me in any way possible, even if I cannot see how they could immediately affect me. I’ve seriously attended more events, seminars and conferences in these past few months than I have like, ever in my entire life. I’ve met people and gone out with people, and now feel absolutely no fear to get out and see what someone has to offer to me… this is a big step for someone boring, who rarely left their house by themselves just 3 months ago and arguably was terrified to socialize. That being said I’ve had incredible experiences so far in 2016, and I am feeling as motivated as ever to improve myself, to take chances, and gain experiences. Experiences make you exciting, and I want to be exciting. I want to be the person with exciting stories, and right now I’m just in the process of building up my portfolio.

To end, I’ll leave you with this- the most valuable advice I got before embarking on my journey this year was “If it looks like it will make a great story… do it.” This is something I’ve taken for granted for way too long. I’m ready, not so much for a “fresh” start, but more of a jump start in a general direction (because I didn’t really have one before now to be honest) of what I think at the moment I’d like to happen, with the understanding that it may change, but that doesn’t really matter so much.

Thanks for reading this one, I know it wasn’t the funniest, or the most exciting. It wasn’t exactly the easiest for me to explain in writing precisely what I wanted to say – also my apologies to Mom if this made you tear up a bit.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Cheers! xoxo

P A R I S

This is a post is especially for Madame Thomas’s 5^th grade French class, Bonjour!

                During the first week of my time here I was given the opportunity to see all the amazing opportunities study abroad students have while at their host institution to jam as many things into their already busy schedules, to make the most of their time abroad. Literally the second day of being at my host school I was sat down in a room, and given a pitch about all of the social events and opportunities that were allotted for international students only. I remember this very well, because the woman telling us all about the social programs here at Roehampton was a tall, lively and quirky woman named Susannah. Quite the character, and hard to forget. She is the co- owner of somewherenew.com, the host of the social programs that any international student studying at a qualified university in London can sign up for.

                There are various programs to choose from, day trips, plays, London events, and weekend trips. They are almost “all- inclusive” and are extremely well priced for the dodgy student budget every study abroad student has. This idea, along with the fact that I had made friends that wanted to go on it as well pushed me to sign right up. I had figured that out of all the weekend trips the company offers, there would be no better place to have my tours, accommodation and transportation planned out for me than in Paris, quite simply because… I don’t know any French!! So with that being said, I signed up and was ready to go.

                On March 4^th, myself and two of my friends set out to St. Pancras International Station to collect our tickets to Paris. A bright and early Friday morning, and who was waiting there for us, but Susannah and her husband and, their two six year old daughters. We travelled as a group, with the cute family, our tour guide, and a host of other study abroad students. We took the Eurostar from London to Paris; which means, yes, I did go through the Chunnel. Surprisingly it was only a 20 minute journey through the Chunnel, and after a quick 2 and a half hours we arrived at Gare Du Nord, the international train station in Paris.

                 Our itinerary was packed full, and from the second we stepped out of the train station we were on a tour of the grand city. We took a bus tour from the station and ended at our hotel, roughly 4 hours after we had arrived. On the bus tour we saw a brief glimpse of the Arc De Triomphe, and the stopped off at the Eiffel Tower for a quick photo op. Lastly we took a drive by Notre Dame, which we only stopped at for a bit, as we were to have a tour of it the next day. We then were dropped off at our hotel, and after just about 45 minutes of down time, we were back in the lobby to travel to the Louvre, because there was a free entry for students that night. The Louvre was absolutely incredible, regardless of whether you like art or not. It would seriously take someone at least two weeks to get through the entire thing, so we decided to see the most important bits, the Mona Lisa (duh.) and Venus Di Milo (also, duh.) and then some other pieces that we happened to pass by in our pursuits. After so much art, we went out to dinner, but ended up getting pizza… so French! NOT! And then some macarons… just because.

                On Saturday morning we were up early again as we had a walking tour of the Latin Quarter. Which is comprised of small entwined streets of cafes and shops. Charming, really. We also got to tour Notre Dame, and see the wonderful scenery all around the area, before embarking on a river cruise down the Seine. FUN FACT- there are 16 statues of liberty all around the world… here I was thinking the French had given us a special gift, but it turns out they’ve got their own too! After the river cruise we had the rest of the day to ourselves. We ate French crepes in the Latin Quarter for lunch and then took a lovely stroll all around the city. I often find the best way to learn and explore is actually by getting lost, and guess what? That’s exactly what we did. Once we finally found our way to a metro station that would take us back to the hotel, we travelled back to relax for a bit before dinner. We went to a restaurant very close to our hotel for dinner and then ventured back into central Paris to find out why it really is call the city of lights. We certainly found out, you can see the Eiffel Tower from all corners of Paris, and trying to get close to it at night time proved to be a challenge when you don’t have a map. You’d think because it is lit up, it would be a no brainer to get there. WRONG. You can see it from LITERALLY everywhere, so just as you think you’re getting close, you’ll see a sign to point you in exactly the opposite direction than you’re travelling to get there. Thus my saying, the best way to see everything, and experience everything is to just get lost. However we did end up finding it, and seeing how really brilliant it is. Pictures certainly do not do it any justice.

                On Sunday we packed up before heading out on a tour of Versailles palace. A brilliant estate just outside of Paris, with quite the history. After visiting Versailles we took a walking tour through Montmartre another little “village” like area of Paris with winding streets, and friendly shops and cafes. We also visited Sacre- Coeur, a church built for the people on top of the hill in Montmartre looking over the city. After the walking tour we collected our luggage from the hotel and made our way back to the train station.

                Paris is indeed as beautiful as everyone makes it out to be. The French culture is also a beautiful way of life, compared to London, it is very relaxed, it is calm, and everyone enjoys every moment of every day. Of course the food too, crepes are delicious, and the coffee is superb. There is nothing like sitting in a café with the sun shining in the windows to really make you understand what French living is all about.

                THAT BEING SAID, I know this is specifically for a French class, to read about what Paris is like, but I have also got to be honest, it is my blog after all. I certainly like London more than Paris, London is COMPLETELY different, and busy and always moving, and things in Paris are a bit too slow for me. I also am not a huge fan of the Parisian public transport. The Metro is incredibly busy all the time, and most definitely not as easy to manage as the tube… but I may just be bias because I live here. Anyway, I had a wonderful weekend exploring a new place, and am incredibly thankful to have gotten this opportunity through somewherenew.com, otherwise I might still be lost and wandering around Paris. PLEASE NOTE, this post is not sponsored by the company, I was just incredibly impressed with their professionality, and the fact that they actually came on the trip and although they were technically on their own vacation, still accounted for us, and were always willing to give recommendations of fun things to do or places to go. Their children were also adorable and a pleasure to be around for the weekend! Thanks again to somewherenew!

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my adventures, thanks for keeping up!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Cheers!! xoxo