Making Connections

This next week, I turn my focus to my studies as the semester picks up.

The biggest and most challenging aspect of school for me has been the difference in teaching styles. Back home, I took many geography courses which focused on scientific data and analysis. Whereas here, my geography course and others rely heavily on relating the information to real world situations. It is a much different atmosphere and mindset which allows me to really connect to the country and it's cultures. The teaching style has really helped me open my mind to making connections between what I learn and what I experience.

As I returned from my adventure to Edinburgh this past weekend, I couldn't help but reflect on my past month here. I have my good days as well as my bad days just like at home which comforts me to some extent. The more I travel, the more I can't wait to be back at Edge Hill, in my room in Lady Openshaw, eating at the Hub. Life at university is so simple compared to the hours spent on a train, the days in a hostel, and trying to soak in every city and attraction in a short weekend. I never thought my temporary home in another country would feel so comforting. Prior to my departure from the States, Michigan was my home; my relief and safety. In a little over a month, Edge Hill has taken over that roll.

At Home

I can't seem to come up with the right words to describe how incredibly happy I am here. I feel so blessed to be here and truly cannot explain it any other way. I had this thought that living in a different country would feel weird and out of place but I never realized how at home I could actually feel until now. 

Prior to studying abroad, everyone kept asking if I was excited, telling me how great it was going to be and that it will be life changing. I eventually got tired of being asked and truth be told, I didn't quite know what to say so I just gave a uniform answer of "Yup, I'm extremely excited and can't wait." If someone were to ask me today if I'm excited to be here, I would know exactly what to say. I'm not just excited, I'm incredibly happy. Sometimes it just hits me that I'm not going to be here next semester or a year from now and it makes me really upset, but it allows me to make the most out of every day.

I have had the best couple of weeks and for the most part I just hung around campus and went to class. This past Saturday, I had to opportunity to go to a musical called Ghost in Liverpool. It was a great way to start the weekend and experience a day in Liverpool. 

I leave for Edinburgh this Friday and cannot wait. It feels like forever since the last time I traveled. I don't even count going to Liverpool anymore as traveling which just goes to show how hard the "travel bug" has hit me. 

That's another thing I have learned through this experience. Everything seems so big and mighty but when you get down to it and travel, nothing is as scary as you think. 

Lake District

One of the best surprises of this experience has been the opportunity to travel through the university. The university plans day trips to unique places such as York, North Wales, Chester, and Lake District, to name a few. This past weekend, I was able to go to the Lake District. It was absolutely breathtaking and the weather was actually good (I use that term loosely). The group of us took a 25 minute boat ride across the lake and then did a short hike along the side of the mountain. We then stopped for lunch at a pub and walked around a neighboring city called Ambleside.

The university is also providing a trip to North Wales in March which I am extremely excited for. In the mean time, I continue with my classes which are going pretty well. It is definitely an adjustment and I'm not sure if I've got the hang of it yet. Everything here is much more independent and the grades are dependent on one or two large papers or presentations. I try not to think of this as weird, but rather different. I'm hoping this mindset will carry through and allow me to remain openminded about this experience. So far things are great and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Opportunities

I continue to learn more and more each day, about myself and about this experience. To think that less than a month ago I was nervous to hop on a plane and go somewhere I had no clue about is crazy considering I just returned from my weekend trip to Ireland. Even reading this sounds so foreign to me. Back home I couldn't catch a flight for under $100 to a different country. I think that's what I love so much about this place. The opportunity is right at your doorstep, you just have to grab it.

I have also learned the importance of friends. I have met so many incredible people in this short time. However, I have really connected with three other international students from the states, which just goes to show you how close you actually are to meeting new people. I always had this idea that you had to physically leave the states to meet people from very different cultures, ideas, and beliefs.  This sounds absolutely ridiculous, I know, but it wasn't until I met Erica, Leah and Erika that I realized the importance of appreciating home a little more. I think this hit me when we were walking through York when Erica and I (both from Michigan) saw a giant hill and immediately thought how great that would be to go sledding down, while Erika and Leah (both from the south) thought it looked very green. Simple differences like this shocked me because I never truly realized how different our perspectives could be when we live less than 900 miles away. I think I always knew, but the firsthand experience is eye opening. I am so glad I have made lasting friendships with these girls. It is making this process so memorable.