Okay, so she's not exactly my neighbor, but I did move to her country so we're practically friends. (Right?)
If you asked me seven months ago if I would be living in England in the near future I would have said "Um.. I wish! But alas, I will graduate with my bachelor's degree in just a few months and move back in with my parents while I attempt to chip away at this mountain of student debt I've created for myself." But then I had the thought to continue my education (and collect more debt), in hopes of someday getting a job I actually enjoy, and applied for graduate school in publishing programs in the UK. Why England? Because the programs are amazing, I'll get the best education, I'll network with top professionals.. oh, and I can fulfill a life long dream of moving to another country and traveling to all the European cities on my bucket list. What a perk! So I applied, I got in, I said "Yes, I'm going" then I said "No, maybe I shouldn't" then I said "What am I thinking, of course I'm going" then I said "But it's so far a way for such a long time" and then my mom said "Don't be an idiot, you're going" and so BOOM, I moved to England!
"What's it like moving to another country alone?" Thanks for asking. I'll tell ya.
First of all, I had to start all over again in the friends department. I was nervous, I'm not afraid to admit it. I'd also be lying if I said I didn't have the occasional meltdown in the beginning because I was sure I was going to remain a friendless loser holed up in my flat for the next year and I questioned what the hell I was thinking by coming here. But of course, it turned out fine! Everyone was in the same boat I was and so I fell in with a great group of friends pretty quickly. The coolest thing about it is that we're from all over the world: USA, England, Italy, France, Belgium, Canada, and even more. Who would have thought girls from so many different countries and various cultures could have clicked so well! Let me tell you: school work, boys, alcohol, food and laughter are universal things most females can bond over.
Then there are the little differences between home home and my new home. Things like the currency. I am finally getting used to using the British pound, although I still have to read most of the coins to check what they are before I use them.
The food is different. Good! But different. Once you get used to everything (and figure out what they mean by pudding, chips, crisps, and crumpets) it's not bad at all. I've found myself consuming alarming amounts of fish and chips and pints and therefore made a mental note to switch it up a bit, and now all is all. Also, the English really do love their tea! I've been afraid to admit this out loud but.. I haven't had a single sip since I've been here. I'm sorry but I don't like tea. At least, I didn't the last time I tried it however long ago. I'm sure friends will make me have a cuppa soon so I'll let you know how that goes (I know, this is riveting stuff, sorry to leave you with such a cliff hanger.)
This post is getting to be too long so I'll tell you what else I've learned about England in rapid fire:
xo,
Just Wandering
If you asked me seven months ago if I would be living in England in the near future I would have said "Um.. I wish! But alas, I will graduate with my bachelor's degree in just a few months and move back in with my parents while I attempt to chip away at this mountain of student debt I've created for myself." But then I had the thought to continue my education (and collect more debt), in hopes of someday getting a job I actually enjoy, and applied for graduate school in publishing programs in the UK. Why England? Because the programs are amazing, I'll get the best education, I'll network with top professionals.. oh, and I can fulfill a life long dream of moving to another country and traveling to all the European cities on my bucket list. What a perk! So I applied, I got in, I said "Yes, I'm going" then I said "No, maybe I shouldn't" then I said "What am I thinking, of course I'm going" then I said "But it's so far a way for such a long time" and then my mom said "Don't be an idiot, you're going" and so BOOM, I moved to England!
"What's it like moving to another country alone?" Thanks for asking. I'll tell ya.
First of all, I had to start all over again in the friends department. I was nervous, I'm not afraid to admit it. I'd also be lying if I said I didn't have the occasional meltdown in the beginning because I was sure I was going to remain a friendless loser holed up in my flat for the next year and I questioned what the hell I was thinking by coming here. But of course, it turned out fine! Everyone was in the same boat I was and so I fell in with a great group of friends pretty quickly. The coolest thing about it is that we're from all over the world: USA, England, Italy, France, Belgium, Canada, and even more. Who would have thought girls from so many different countries and various cultures could have clicked so well! Let me tell you: school work, boys, alcohol, food and laughter are universal things most females can bond over.
Then there are the little differences between home home and my new home. Things like the currency. I am finally getting used to using the British pound, although I still have to read most of the coins to check what they are before I use them.
The food is different. Good! But different. Once you get used to everything (and figure out what they mean by pudding, chips, crisps, and crumpets) it's not bad at all. I've found myself consuming alarming amounts of fish and chips and pints and therefore made a mental note to switch it up a bit, and now all is all. Also, the English really do love their tea! I've been afraid to admit this out loud but.. I haven't had a single sip since I've been here. I'm sorry but I don't like tea. At least, I didn't the last time I tried it however long ago. I'm sure friends will make me have a cuppa soon so I'll let you know how that goes (I know, this is riveting stuff, sorry to leave you with such a cliff hanger.)
This post is getting to be too long so I'll tell you what else I've learned about England in rapid fire:
- It's not really as rainy as we think it is
- People will ask you "Are you alright?" and you're like "Yes.. why?" but it's their way of saying "How are ya?"
- They love their rugby and their football
- To watch American football here you have to be in the right pub at the right time and pray no other sport is on
- English guys are way less forward than American guys
- English guys have pretty hair and I find that most of them are skinnier than me
- If you say you're American most people will say "Oh California/New York?!"
- You can't get ranch, root beer, kegs or pumpkin pie here (or at least it's difficult)
- The red solo cup is apparently an "American party" thing and hard to find here
- Public transport is awesome! You can take a train or bus pretty much anywhere
xo,
Just Wandering