Week 12 Impressions by Julia Wilson

As the days of the program are dwindling down, and our internships have finished, I have begun to appreciate this environment more and more. Now with relief of all the stress of preparing for papers and exams, and reading, and internships gone, it’s become more enjoyable to walk the streets of London. With the freshness of spring arriving as well, everything about taking public transportation and walking, and getting around has just simply become more enjoyable. I’m no longer dreading the walk from Metrogate to the nearest tube stop. And waking up in the morning is no longer one of the most difficult tasks of the day, when the sun is shining in the bedroom window. Walking in Hyde park on an early Sunday morning has become a experience I will truly miss when I leave London behind.

It feels like just yesterday it was January 5^th and we were departing on an adventure that we had no idea where it would take us. There was an amount of tension, and fear, and excitement, and wonder consuming my mind. During the first weeks it seemed like the journey ahead would be extremely long, yet in a blink of an eye its almost over. I’ve gone from not knowing how to get back to Metrogate house, whilst I was on the other side of the block, to feeling comfortable traveling an hour on the tube to a complete different destination.

I’ve met a lot of new people that made me appreciate this culture even more. The diversity that you can observe and take advantage of here is unlike any other place in the world. Being able to go into different communities and observe the different cultural diasporas has also been an experience I probably couldn’t get anywhere else.

Before I first came here, all I could think about was how the drinking age was only 18, and I was legal to drink and go into all the clubs. I envisioned myself partying all the time and taking full advantage of the different alcohols. And yes, going out is a fun experience, but I quickly learned that I had much more to gain here than just a hangover. London is a city that has so much to offer, that there is just absolutely no way that one could leave here and not have gained some sort of insight into another cultural experience, or another way of living.

This was definitely the most valuable trip I’ve taken to a foreign country that I have ever had. There have been tons of new memories created, and lessons learned. The group of people on this trip have also been wonderful as well, and I can’t think of another group of would have rather gone with. Saying good bye to the experience that incorporated many ups and downs, will be a bittersweet one. But I’m sure, that for many years to come, I will definitely remember my time in London, the World City.

Week 12 Impressions by Maddie Eggleston

As our study abroad program is coming to a close I find myself continually in awe. Awe at how slowly the program seemed to begin and yet how quickly it came to an end, awe at the number of ways I proved to myself that I was an adult, and most of all, awe at the fact that despite for the first few months I desperately missed my home in Colorado I feel sad to be leaving this city. For three months we all called London our home. And even though I will not miss my squeaky bunk bed or the kitchen that fits one and a half people, I am going to miss feeling like a Londoner for a short period of time.

While here I have learned so many things about myself that I never would have known had I not gone on the abroad program. Adults always tell you that college is the best years of your life and its where you’ll find out who you are and where you’ll learn to be an adult. But I don’t exactly feel this way. It wasn’t until I came to London that I started feeling like an adult and it wasn’t until London that I started having what everybody calls “a college experience”. London has shown me so many things not only about myself but also about life in general. I learned not to wear a cat costume in public, because people can and will yell vulgar obscenities at you, I learned to always trust the people who work at the tube station, I learned that catching the last tube home is the BEST, I learned where to find the cheapest drinks, and I learned that Londoners don’t really hate Americans as much as everybody says.

More importantly I was able to prove to myself (and my mother) that I am in fact more capable than I used to believe. My sense of direction may not be the greatest, but for each time I got lost I also found my way. Sunday I am leaving for Croatia by myself, and although I am nervous, I am much more confident. I have no real worries about being in a city by myself where English is not the most common language. I no longer have issues eating by myself at a restaurant or traveling by myself, and this is the gift that living in London has given me. I always knew I was independent, but London has really shown me this is true.

This past weekend was probably one of the best weekends in London. Shaun and I went out one night to Brick Lane. During our visit with Stephanie Polsky to Brick Lane we saw a completely different side of Brick Lane. At night, the street transforms into a different personality. The street was crowded with so many young people drinking on the street together. The bar we went to was a café during the day, but at night there were swarms of people sitting on benches outside drinking, people inside talking on couches, and also a space for dancing in the back. After this night out, I realized that London is not always as it seems, and there are so many other personalities the city that I wish I had seen.

People from home are constantly asking me if I am ‘ready’ to leave London. And even though I am going to miss living in the UK, the truth is that I am ready to leave. London has taught me what it can and it’s time for the next adventure. I am going to miss so many things about this city though. I will miss going to out to G-A-Y and drinking pitchers of sugary drinks, buying Burger King on the way home from a night out, getting woken up Wednesday mornings by the horses walking on the street outside our window, cooking in our tiny tiny kitchen, Sandwich World, cider, getting free food from our class internships, and most of all, falling in love with another city. Until next time, London…which will be in May.

Week 11 Impressions by Megan Percell

Recounting My Journeys

Its two weeks until I go back home, and I must say it’s almost surreal. It feels as though I just got here. Every time I mention it to a classmate they burst out and say, “I know I can’t believe its over!” There was a moment about a week and a half ago where I said to myself, “okay I have had a really nice time, but I am also okay to leave” but during our last meeting we began talking about our final meeting, our final lectures and our last supper, I then said to myself “woah, woah, woah, I am not ready yet!” Since that meeting it’s really made me appreciate these last couple of weeks. Its also nice to do and enjoy these last weeks with people that I have created a bond with. This trip has made me appreciate not only others but also others personalities. There are many individuals on the trip that where I realize that if we didn’t go on this trip together then the chances of us being friends, or spending time together would have been pretty slim. I have created a bond with a group of people that I will be happy to see on campus, say hello to in passing and even have lunch with.

I can only assume that for the next several months London is going to be the topic of many conversations. Whether I am the one bringing it up, or someone is intrigued and brings it up, I am sure I will get the question over and over again, “what do you miss about London,” or, “what was your favorite part of London?” As I sit here and write my last blog I have decided to simultaneously write my list of moments that will truly be missed.

1. The chaos in the kitchen

Although it was one of the most frustrating things trying to get in the kitchen to fix yourself a nice, hot dinner, or get to the oven to warm up a pizza, it was usually the most eventful. Once you got over getting your feet stepped on, or your head bashed with a spatula, you begin to appreciate the conversations and laughs had in the kitchen.

2. Random knocks on the bedroom door

Especially in the beginning of the program, around seven o’clock it would never fail that you would hear three knocks, with someone on the other side asking, “what are we doing tonight?” Going out in big groups always brought loads of entertainment.

3. Sandwich World

A.K.A heaven for the starving college student. Besides the fact that I can swear that they put extracts of an addictive substance in the bread, Sandwich World is the place to go if you want to spend less than three pounds on a sandwich. When living in one of the most expensive areas in London, this place is considered a gold mine by FIE students. Breakfast, lunch, dinner you name it, you will most likely see an FIE student either coming in or going out. The best part is the fact that there really isn’t anything incredibly special about this place. All they do is get a baguette and ask you what pre-made filling you want. I never seemed to have the power to stray away from the chicken avocado.

4. Navigating the Tube

Although you feel like your fighting for your life, or participating in Running of the Bulls, there is something about the tube that I will dearly miss… Although, I’m not exactly sure what… Maybe it’s the satisfying feeling I get when I successfully arrive at a destination in a new country, or the endless amount of people watching that I am able to do. From witnessing interesting wardrobe choices, to witnessing a break up or even watching a woman successfully but on a full face of makeup in three stops. I’ve seen it all.

5. Thursday night karaoke

Although I have the voice somewhere in between William Hung the sound of a pig being slaughtered, Thursday nights at the Social were the most fun. This Karaoke venue was a bit different than anything I have ever seen, instead of there being booths, there is just one stage and people get up individually to sing. It’s almost as if you are putting on a concert. Definitely an act for the brave. The crowd is always great though, no mater how terrible the person might sound, the crowd is always supportive. This was always a great place to meet a diverse group of locals.

6. Camden Market

You name it, you can find it. Camden was my favorite market to go to by far. Some might find that there are always too many people, but that’s the part I like most, aside from the food. Tip? Never go to Camden Market on a full stomach, trust me, you will be very upset at yourself. The food is very eclectic and seems endless.

I thought I was going to sit here and make a list but as I write I realize that the list will go on and on. There are so many facets of London that I will fondly remember, I just don’t think it is possible to recount all of them.

London? You will truly be missed…until we meet again.

Week 11 Impressions by Iman Sebunya

Whilst navigating my way around London, it dawned on me that certain street names and train stations sounded so very familiar. It was unlikely that I could credit school for this knowledge, so I just brushed it off and thought that I must simply be so good with names. Yes, that must be it. I have no idea how I actually came to that conclusion since I am known for referring to people as “what’s his/her face” while waiting for someone to fill in the blank. Anyway I convinced myself that I was in fact good with names until it hit me that it was actually hours spent playing Monopoly during childhood that was to blame.

I grew up playing endless games of monopoly with my siblings, each of us fighting to the bitter end, trying so hard to capitalize on the dark blue and green sections that consist of Mayfair, Park Lane, Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street, none of us wanting to invest in the brown and light blue area at the beginning of the board that encompass Old Kent Road, Whitechapel Road, Angel Islington, and Euston Road.

Of course after discovering that my experience in Monopoly was responsible for my seeming in depth knowledge of London streets and stations, I consulted a London map to investigate which locations I had actually already visited. To my surprise I had visited 15 out of the 26 locations on the board. I sat there for a while, thinking of the spots I had seen and how I could finally situate these names with actual REAL physical locations, each with something different to offer. It was then that I decided to set myself the goal of visiting all the locations on the board before my time in London was up!

Over the next few weeks, I followed through with my mission and made my way to different sections of London. I felt like I was making my way around the monopoly board except my board was the tube map and I was myself and not an iron, shoe or dog! It became my own virtual game of monopoly except I had no money in the bank! I was also not looking to build houses and hotels or spend a few nights in jail for that matter.

What started off as a mere game or childish mission, actually turned out to be quite worthwhile. This quest really allowed me to see London in its entirety. It took me to so many completely different areas, each of which has such a different feel and distinct demographic. Surprisingly it showed me that those light blue and brown previously disdained areas of the Monopoly board were actually the most interesting, as they contain the whole world in a few city blocks. The journey allowed me to experience the whole social spectrum from wealth to poverty by strolling through London streets. Each area spoke to me through its own particular mix of class, race, culture, ethnicity and overall infrastructure. Through my own background and my parents' respective backgrounds each place had elements of home for me. I thoroughly enjoyed making memories in each place, whether it was eating curry, on Whitechapel Road with my old Indian friends from my Kenya days, meeting my father's relatives in Peckham, or living it up with non existing money shopping on Oxford Street or treating myself to the theater at Leicester Square or Covent Garden.