Monday, January 27, 2014

Putting it into Context

This past week has been eye opening on so many different levels. For starters, I had the opportunity to shoot the men's rugby game, start classes, and travel to York, England.
On Tuesday, there was a fair in the Hub (I can best describe this as a student information/cafe/hangout area) for all the societies. I knew I wanted to get involved in as much as I could so I walked around to each booth and ended up signing up for a bunch of different societies. Coming into this experience, I wanted to push my comfort zone and get involved in activities I wouldn't normally or couldn't normally do. Therefore, I signed up for the Edge Hill Climbing and Mountaineering Society and VibeMedia (the student publication). Having minimal knowledge of climbing, this experience should definitely be new and exciting and I cannot wait to begin it. 
Already, I was able to shoot the men's rugby game the next day. Majoring in photojournalism, this opportunity was amazing. Not only did I get to keep in touch with my photography, but I'd like to think I learned more about the game. I felt at home when I was at the game. Photography is such a normality and I truly got to escape into it in an authentic setting. Looking back at this week, I can finally say I feel more connected to the culture and university and it makes me incredibly excited for the future. 

Moving forward to classes, I was completely overwhelmed to begin because I had absolutely no idea what to expect. When I first got to Central, I was apprehensive to start class but knowing that I was still in Michigan somehow eased my worries. The fact that I had no idea where my classes were only heightened my anxiety. Turns out, as usual, everything was fine. I asked when I didn't know, and I continued to breath (my new motto). I attended lectures for a couple hours and then the class was split into smaller groups called seminars. In both seminars the professor pointed out who the American's were; I was the zebra in what felt like a herd of lions.
And finally, the trip to York. Much like Chester, York was a beautiful English city about an hour and a half northeast of Ormskirk. Erica, Leah, and Erika (my three international friends) took a two hour walking tour of York and visited the York Minster (cathedral).  It was absolutely mind blowing to hear the historical value of the place, much of which I learned in high school and college but never thought I would actually put into context. That right there is why I can't wait to continue this experience. There is so much in life that I have learned and studied and dreamed of, but now I am finally getting the chance to learn first hand and it's completely overwhelming. The good kind though, the kind that makes you realize how great life can be.


 




Monday, January 20, 2014

Culture Shock



Our first Saturday after we arrived, the school took us on a trip to Chester, England. We were able to explore the town on our own including the Chester Cathedral, water front, and wall that surrounded the town. The trip gave me a better idea about what to expect during my travels through Europe. The first week was full of orientation, registration, and relaxation. As much as our week was planned out, we had a lot of down time which helped me digest the fact that I am actually here. Fast-forward to the end of week one, we were able to go on another trip to Liverpool.





Liverpool was just as incredible as Chester and seeing as it only cost 4.85 pounds, it can make for an easy day trip, getting you there in around 35 minutes. The accessibility of neighboring towns and cities is a big reason why I have fallen in love with this place. 

Fast-forward to Sunday night, I am getting more nervous about classes and the start of my semester. Orientation week felt like a summer camp and I feel like I should be packing my bags and saying my goodbyes. Instead, I am buying school supplies, figuring out where my classes are, and trying to get into my routine. Anticipation of the unknown is making my head go crazy at times but I stay focused on the good things, such as the delicious strawberries I got from the market in Ormskirk.

So far, the biggest hurtle I have faced is the culture shock. I initially entered into this experience thinking it would not be as difficult because everyone spoke the same language and things seemed to be rather similar to the United States. However, that has not been the case. I feel like people stare when I wear my sweatpants or simply open my mouth to talk. I have never been in the position of being the "outsider" and didn't realize the struggles that come with it. However, nearly everyone I have met is extremely curious when they find out I am American. It's actually kind of funny because as they freak out about my "accent", I have yet to get over theirs. I absolutely love the accents but I never realized how difficult it can be to understand people at times. 

Every day I come across a new and challenging experience that only adds to my ability to adapt to my surroundings. I cannot wait to start classes this week and truly start to experience being a student at this incredible university. 



Monday, January 13, 2014

Welcome to Edge Hill University



As I sit here trying to figure out how to explain these past couple of days, I can't seem to find anything that is fitting. Words like crazy, exciting, wonderful and plug socket come to mind. Within the first 48 hours, I learned that outlets are actually called plug sockets here and chicken patties are called burgers? It took me until day 3 to understand how to pronounce where I lived. For this reason, I made sure I knew how to get back to my dorm whenever I stepped out because it would be useless to ask for help if I couldn't tell someone where I lived. For the record, it's Lady Openshaw. 
The everyday culture shocks make this beautiful town, school, country, and experience that much more crazy, exciting, and wonderful. 
Prior to my departure from the States, I could have handed you a phone book of worries I had. With each step along the way, I decided to just go with it and worry about the things I could control and ditch the rest. The flights were on time and aside from the bumpy flight to Atlanta, everything went smoothly. 
I still sit here and I feel like I'm on a week long trip to Washington or something. It's just surreal and I am loving every minute of it. It's not until I start to go to bed and can hear my British neighbor talking that I am reminded just how lucky I am to be here and go through this experience. Nothing will ever be as bad as you play it to be in your head. Everything is different but at the end of the day just remember to appreciate the differences and embrace the fact that you will make a fool out of yourself, but learn to love it.  

Monday, January 6, 2014

The Countdown


I leave in about three days, two hours, 16 minutes, and some odd number of seconds. Above, is what I have "ready". I use that term loosely because my new suitcases that I got are still in their wrapping from Macy's. In fact, they haven't moved since I brought them here weeks ago. I'm not sure if this is my attempt at preserving normalcy or pure laziness, but either way I am leaving in three days, two hours, 13 minutes, and some odd number of seconds. 

I mistakenly assumed once I turned in my Study Abroad application I would be set to go. I never really understood the pressure and amount of work it takes to go before you're even there. No one really talks about the before part, rightly so, because it's about the experience while you're there. However, the before part has been draining, time consuming and far from memorable. At this point, I wouldn't mind just throwing three weeks of clothes into my bags and calling it good. Between working over break and wanting to spend every waking minute with family and friends I have lost time and energy. My best advice I can give and have learned from this experience thus far is just let it happen. For most of my life, I have been the type of person who follows a schedule and plans things out. However, I feel like the minute I get to the airport, any plans I had or schedules I wanted to follow will be gone. The best thing to do at that point is to let it happen. Things will go wrong, mistakes will be made, but at the end of day this experience will teach me more about myself than I could ever imagine. 

So for now, I will keep staring at those suitcases in hopes that I actually get the motivation to start packing because I leave in three days, two hours, 5 minutes, and some odd number of seconds.