When in Europe the UK and Beyond: Lessons Learned While Being an American Abroad

"Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative."

-Oscar Wilde

Some four months ago, I set out on a study abroad experience to London, England. Time has somehow been able to elapse me, and these past few months have only felt like a few weeks. In many ways it is a bitter sweet feeling, to be able to return home to America, yet at the same time I have grown attached to London.  I am split between two homes, two different identities with an uncertainty of how I will fit in back home.

I remember the first week of orientation, I felt like I was a Freshman in college all over again. I met so many people from so many different ethnicity's and social classes, that to a point I became overwhelmed. With so many cultures all coming together at once, I had to begin to ask myself where did I want to fit into this community? It was certainty not a situation I had ever been in before. I knew what being an American meant to me, but as I began to explore and learn about other cultures, I began to shape myself differently. I started to become more aware of the perception of Americans  from other cultural perspectives that I never noticed before. By the end of the first week my perception of America had become skewed, and I began to start adopting new ideals.

One of the things that was pointed out to me by many Europeans was that many Americans, were very unaware of what is going on in the world around them. I found this especially true with myself. Many people whom I would talk to would often bring up various global political issues that I have never heard about. As a result of being constantly involved in so many political conversations, I found myself reading more about these issues, that I would have not otherwise paid any attention to. 

February rolled around and it was time to go to Berlin, Germany with my roommate Max. Berlin was far different than anywhere I had ever been before. To some degree it reminded me of the suburbs of New York City, but much more atmospheric. I'll always remember seeing the Brandenburg Tor, that first night that we were there. With no one around it was a moving, yet a chilling experience at the same time.

Even more impactful, just down the road was the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of the Holocaust. There were endless pillars as far as the eye could see. One could walk through the labyrinth of pillars and as you walked through the pillars, they gradually got taller, until they reached above your head. There came a point in which you could find yourself alone amongst the endless pillars, and that in itself was a moving experience.

Once you got out of all the main touristy areas, you began to run into a bunch of graffiti, but not in the sense I had traditionally seen or thought graffiti as being. In Berlin it was a communication medium, used to convey social and political messages from the artist to the viewer. This gave me a whole new respect for graffiti as a true art forum.

Spring Break soon followed and I then traveled to Italy by myself. Prior to this trip, I would have never considered traveling alone on such a journey, but it was good that I went alone. I got far more out of the experience than I would have, had I gone with other people.

Rome was everything I had always dreamed it to be. Being there was like living out a childhood fantasy. From seeing the old city to the new city it was truly an amazing experience. I will always remember that first time that I saw the Coliseum, and how mystified I was to be there. Equally as impressive was walking through the Roman Forum and getting further perspective on how the Ancient Romans lived. I was in the center of the foundation of Western Democracy and that alone was intoxicating.

Florence was my least favorite place that I visited in Italy; however, it is where I grew the most as an individual.When I got to Florence, my taxi driver dropped me off nowhere near my hotel. I had to navigate my way to my hotel on foot. My phone wasn't working, nor did anyone in this area speak any English. However, prior to going to Italy, I did learn some basic phrases that were life savers. Apart of me was starting to panic as I tried finding my way to my hotel, but I told myself that I needed to remain calm. After about 20 minutes of asking various people for directions, I found my hotel. Getting lost, ultimately, only helped contribute to me becoming a more skilled navigator, as well as a more rounded individual.  Florence also taught me a great deal about art, and gave me a new level of appreciation of art and a broader perspective on the world that is around me.

Venice was the city I explored the most. You did not have to walk very far at all to get away from the tourist. Venice was truly an escape from the rest of the world. Many hidden streets led to small little restaurant and shops tucked away in hidden little corners.

As far as London goes, it is a city that will forever remain in my heart. London is the perfect combination of the old and the new coming together. It is a city filled with a vibrant up beat culture, that is unlike anywhere else I have been. It truly has been a privilege to be here these past few months, and I look forward to sharing the lessons I have learned from studying abroad with those around me. I really appreciate everyone who has made this experience possible and has supported me along this journey. I'd like to thank first and for most my Mom and Dad for letting me even come abroad, I know that it must have been tough for you to leave me alone in a foreign country, but I am better because of it. I would also like to thank both Curry and Richmond for giving me this opportunity of a life time. Building off this, I'd also like to add that both institutions provided excellent support services for me while I was abroad. Special thanks to my Professor/Advisor Kirk Hazlett for your support thousands of miles away, as well as Ned Bradford and Pat Bonarrigo and at Richmond I'd like to thank Rachel Taylor, Dominic Alessio and Marcus Slease, you made my experience here one that I will never forget! I left America some four months ago and I will come back a stronger, more well-rounded individual, filled with a new sense of ambition.

When in Europe the UK and Beyond: Abbey Road and Tower Bridge

Late this afternoon, I set out for Abbey Road an iconic place to visit if you are a Beatles fan. I got off at Baker Street Station, and from there I walked about two miles to Abbey Road. There is a station, right next to Abbey Road but it was a nice day so I decided that I would walk for a bit.

On the walk to Abbey Road, it was extremely quiet. Aside from lots of cars passing by, very few pedestrians were out and about.

Abbey Road itself was just like any other traditional London neighborhood, although it felt very disconnected from the rest of London. With pretty much no one around, I took a stroll down the road until I came to Abbey Road Studios. A few meters away from the Studios was the famous spot that the Beatles took their album cover photo.  The cross walk in which they went across was partly shut down due to construction, although, if you looked at the right angle, you could see the similarities.

Many tourists were standing in the road, all taking the same photo of them crossing the road, however, most were completely oblivious to the fact that Abbey Road is a functioning road and that there are cars trying to get through. Cars would sit there honking at the tourist to get out of the way with very few of the tourist paying any attention.

I then went into Central London to go and walk on top of the Tower Bridge. From atop the Tower Bridge, there are two walkways suspended from above the bridge. In each walkway, there is a section which is see through glass. Below oneself, one can see pedestrians and the River Thames below. Looking down below was both an exhilarating experience, while at the same time some what scary. There was also a whole bunch of information and various videos to watch about the bridges construction and its significance to London. This exhibit was very affordable to go up and see this exhibit so if you are ever in London, it is well worth the time.

I continued my journey by taking a walk down the River Thames for one last time. Since today is Shakespeare's birthday, the Globe was putting on a film festival comprised of 37 of Shakespeare's plays, being shown on screens all along the River Thames. There was also a lot of runners out and about, who were preparing for tomorrow's marathon.

Finally, I reached Parliament and watched as the sun slowly set. I took one last stroll over Westminster Bridge and then headed home.

  

   

The Day in the Life of a 1st Grader

Today is my very first day of camp and I'm awfully nervous.
I have never been away from my Mommy and Daddy before.
Mommy and Daddy say camp will be a lot of fun.
They told me that I will make lots of new friends and play many games.
I have always liked playing games.

So Mommy and Daddy and me headed over to the bus stop.
Mommy made sure that I had a lot of sun screen on me.
She kept telling me where everything was in my backpack.
I didn't like her keep telling me the same thing.
When it was time to get on the bus Mommy was crying.
I asked Mommy why she was crying and she said she was crying because she was very happy for me.
I ran over to Mommy and gave her a big hug then went on the bus.
When I got on the bus I did not know where to sit.
There were so many seats and none of them looked like the one I sat in the car.
I asked the bus driver where to sit and he told me to sit in the front next to him and that I would be his special helper.
I like helping so I got really excited.
The bus pulled away and I waved goodbye to Mommy.
Mommy was still crying but I blew her a kiss and she smiled.

After riding the bus for what seemed like forever we made it to camp.
When it was time to get off the bus I was very confused on where I was suppose to go.
I asked the adult standing by the bus where to go and he walked me over to my camp group.
I met my counselors Max and Stephen.
Stephen was really tall, he seemed like he was a giant.
He had curly brown hair and brown eyes.
His voice was extremely loud.
Max was really short and I felt taller than him.
He had  straight dark black hair and blue eyes.
He talked very quietly.
When everyone else arrived at camp my group played get to know games.
I was really nervous when we first started playing the games, but Stephen really got into the games and it made me feel better.

After we learned each others names we went for a walk down to boating.
I have never been boating before, but Stephen said I will like it.
On the way to boating we sang songs.
I like singing songs.
Stephen sang loud.
I sang loud.

We got to boating and went and saw the turtles in the swamp.
I like frogs more.
Turtles are slow.

We went back to camp and colored for a bit.
My favorite color is red.
Jimmy had the only red crayon.
I asked Jimmy if I could use the red crayon when he was done with it.
Jimmy didn't want to share.
This made me sad.
Stephen heard me ask Jimmy for the crayon and said that it would be my turn soon to use the red crayon.
This made me happy.
I like being happy.

Lunchtime came and I was excited to see what my Mommy had packed me for lunch.
I got my brown paper bag and found a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich and a juice box.
I like peanut butter and jelly

We then went to swimming.
I was really nervous, I had never been swimming without Mommy and Daddy before.
When it was my turn to go swimming a nice man in a red swim suit helped me swim.
I like the color red.

Next we went down to play sports.
I really like to play soccer.
Some day I am going to play soccer so everyone can see me.
My daddy plays soccer with me all the time.
I always score goals on him.

After sports we went to nature.
I like playing with dirt and bugs.
Mommy is always upset when she see me come inside all dirty.
She says, "Honey, I thought I told you to not play in the dirt. You don't want to ruin your clothes!"
One time I brought Mommy, a worm.
I told her the worm was a present for her.
She got scared and screamed.
My daddy came running and he asked what was wrong.
I showed Daddy the worm, and he laughed.

At nature we learned how to make a fire.
We were each told to go and find sticks.
I wanted to get as many sticks as I could, so I ran as fast as I could.
I fell and got a boo boo.
It hurt bad.
I was sad.
Stephen gave me a ban-aid and I felt a lot better.

After nature it was time to go home.
I got on the bus and waved goodbye to Stephen and Max.
Today was fun.
I like camp.
I can't wait to come back.

When I got back to the bus stop I saw Mommy and Daddy.
Happy to see them, I ran and gave them a big hug.

When in Europe the UK and Beyond: Observations from London

The following are observations I have made over the past few months:

If you are lucky enough, you might be able to see a spot of sun shine on a good day in London. Most days are often consistently the same that you don't have to even check the weather to know that it will be partly cloudy with a chance of rain. Many locals often joke about the weather to lighten up the mediocracy of everyday life.

London is an extremely busy city. Where ever you go someone is always in a rush to get somewhere. You begin to realize just how many kinds of suitcases there are. While most of the suitcases are different shapes and sizes the real difference is in the wheels. There are many different types of wheels on the suitcases the most common I have noticed are designed in such a way that one can easily roll a suitcase up a staircase. 

People are often times also in a rush to get up escalators for whatever reason. You can easily tell a foreigner apart from a local, when you see them standing in the middle of the escalator. This often angers the person trying to get by, and the foreigner is completely oblivious to their surroundings that they do not even notice that someone is trying to pass.

London is one of the most diverse cities I have ever been to. Whether it is by individual self-expression, or by language, you do not have to walk very far to experience a multicultural environment.

National pride is evident. There are clear distinctions between Scottish, Irish and British

Royalty is a very big deal in England. One does not simply see many things in England without at least some reference to Royalty. Take for example: Royal Mail, Royal Parks, Royal Boroughs, the currency and etc....

Queuing or getting in line is very orderly and proper. The queues are amongst the most structured I have ever seen.

Smoking is extraordinarily prevalent in society, despite very visible anti-smoking campaigns that I have not seen in America.

Grocery stores especially, the glossiness of magazines are not as in your face as you would see in America. Sure you can still find magazines, but they are not located right as you check out, often times they are down an aisle. Even then the language used on the magazines is of a different variety, taking on a more formal tone.

Pubs and bars promote a very social culture. Inside you will not see people getting drunk, rather you will see people hanging out and enjoying the ambiance. There is also something very intoxicating about being in pub while a football game is on. The amount of energy inside makes me care about the outcome of the game. Do note, I do not care for football otherwise.

The roads are extremely narrow in London to the point that two cars can barely fit. Often times when two cars try and pass each other, one car ends up going on the curb, because they were too anxious to pass by, that there is not enough room for the other car to pass.

Even with green crossing signals one must be cautious of the bikers whom seem to not think it applies to them.

The Tube can be either your best friend or your mortal enemy. Often times it is your best friend in that it is usually punctual, in that you won't have to wait more than ten minutes. Or even if you are a person like me who commutes, the trains will often arrive and leave at the same time every day.  However, there are times that various factors contribute to a chaotic scene in the train stations. This is often due to signal failures or strikes by the unions whom operate the facilities.

One does not simply talk to a stranger on the tube. Rather he or she keeps to themselves, by either reading the newspaper, playing on their phone, staring into blank empty space and or staring at their shoes.

Many people do not "Mind the Gap" between the train and the platform. Many passengers stumble off, despite being reminded many times to be careful.

Hand scooters are a very popular forum of transportation around the city, for all ages.

Around every block there is a Starbucks.

 London is home to many amazing parks that you can easily spend hours strolling through.

Politics is a very big deal in London. Whenever I tell someone that I am an American, they instantly jump on all these different political issues facing the US and the world abroad. However, initially when I encountered this I was very unaware of many of these issues. As the result of being prompted, constantly, I would say I have become a more globally aware citizen.