Last Day

Tomorrow is my last day in London and I have a zillion emotions going through me right now.

My semester in London was nothing like what I expected but everything I could have hoped for. Like most students, I came here with a list of places I wanted to go, things I wanted to see and a certain idea on the people I would meet. Well, none of my lists were completed, I didn't go to many of the places I had planned and the people I met were unlike any I could ever imagine but I honestly could not have wished my semester abroad any other way.

As I walked around central London today, I looked around at the wonderful city that I was able to live in for the last 5 months. I've had some of the best 5 months of my life and I was able to do so many things that I never thought I'd have the opportunity to do. I lived with 7 strangers from 4 different countries. We shared a very messy and at time hazardous kitchen. I attended classes with students so passionate about education and social causes. I lived 15 days out of a backpack. I visited a different country every month since I arrived in January.

I couldn't imagine having my abroad experience anywhere else and am so very very glad that I made the choice to come. A year of planning, 5 months of being abroad and now that it comes to a close, I realize how soon it has flown by.

Its strange when you no longer consider yourself a tourist. I don't remember the last time I carried around a tube map. That pride you have that you no longer need to look around in confusion, but rather you can follow the crowd to your destination. I got used to overhearing so many languages and watching so many ways of life. It was only 5 months but in those months I came to call London home, and I will miss it.

I have to say goodbye to London tomorrow and I honestly don't know how I will do it but I'll never forget these last 5 months and all that I've seen and experienced.

Cheers, I LOVE YOU LONDON

Cheers, I love you LONDON!!

Experiences

The more I think about my time abroad and all the work that had to be done to get here, I really have no regrets. Being abroad can be one of the most uncomfortable, challenging and expensive experiences you could ever ask for. Your in a new country, a new culture among things and people you've never known. For most your alone, without anyone you know and far from those you love. The money looks different. And even those things that are familiar to you have new names and different meanings.

As cliche as it may be, this has been life changing, in so many ways.

But as I look forward to my last week here I never want to go back to the familiar and the comfortable. Traveling and having new experiences is the most exhilarating and fulfilling feeling. I'm off to Amsterdam in a matter of hours and while it wasn't my number one travel destination while abroad, it's yet another one I'm excited to experience. Plus everyone says Amsterdam is a must while in Europe and who am I to argue with everyone.

Spain, I love you.

Going to Spain was one of the top things I wanted to do when I decided to come study abroad in London. I wanted to experience the culture, the people and enjoy the sunshine. And while I wasnt able to go to all the cities which I would have liked (Madrid, Barcelona, Granada, Valencia), I was able to go to Mallorca and Barcelona and it was AMAZING.

I truly understand why so many Brits and Germans make Mallorca their yearly summer getaway. The island is absolutely stunning and despite its reliance of tourism, it's been able to maintain its own personal and lovable character. We stayed on the far east of the island, leaving us far from the largest city of Palma but we loved it still. We had what seemed like a private beach due to the small number of hotels in Porto Colom just a 2 minute walk away and the people in the area were lovely. We were able to get out of Porto Colom and visit a number of other parts of the island and we even rented a car for a day long road trip around the island. By far one of the most beautiful scenic views I have ever seen and a definitely adventure.


And then there's Barcelona. Oh how I have fallen in love with Barcelona. The people, the city, the combination of beach and city and of old and new. Barcelona is everything that I look in my future home. Surprisingly, Barcelona reminded me a lot of Massachusetts. So rich in history yet a center of activity. Beautiful and yet modern. Loved it. Not to mention the camp out protests (Huffington Post Article on the Protests) that took place in the city just further made me fall in love. Las Ramblas, Parc Guell, the beach. We did it all and it was great. Wouldn't mind moving to Barcelona, but then I thought about the 40% unemployment rate that is found in youth throughout the country of Spain and it just wouldn't feel right. Maybe in the future.


Being abroad really has been a blessing. I've been able to experience the dynamic and fun city that is London but I've also been able to visit so many countries that I've only dreamed of visiting. Getting back from Mallorca and Barcelona, Spain has really showed me how fortunate I have been to experience this semester abroad. Not only did I get a different academic experience, I got to spend some of the best days of my life travelling around Europe and making unforgettable memories even getting a chance to experience it with a few special people from home.

More than photos and memories, this semester abroad has taught me a lot about myself. And while it may sound cliche, I know that when I go back to my families, friends and Denison I'll be a different person. I've learned the European way. A way where people stop and just enjoy the day, whether over a cup of coffee or just a walk around the park. European really do know how to enjoy life and thats something I am thankful that I have learned. While I know I will still have endless to-do lists and I may be stressed as I embark on my last year at Denison and before I enter the "real world", I really will take the time to stop and appreciate it all, cause life is too short and their is way to much to see. I already have a list of tons of places I'd like to return and many more where I would like to go.

No cheering over here

 While Osama Bin Ladens death has brought closure, relief and pleasure to a number of Americans across the country and abroad, it has scared the be-geeses out of me. I've always been confused about my American-ness. The American-ness in me feels like this is where my patriotism should kick in. I mean this is what all my parent's hard work was for right, so I can sing in on 'God Bless America' and wave the flag of the United States of America with confidence and passion. This is the part were I celebrate right?

Not so much. Along with the gift of American citizenship, my parents also gave me 12 years of Catholic education and while as a 21 year old I am not the most righteous of Catholics, I was taught to value human dignity and respect. Almost 10 years later, I can still recount the horrors of September 11th and the fear with which my mother dismissed me and my younger cousins from school but I can not celebrate and it's not a matter of how patriotic or anti-patriotic I am. I've seen cousin after cousin enlist to serve this country. I've seen my parent's hard work and dedication to realizing the American dream for me and my brother. But my American-ness doesn't consist of supporting this.

But it doesnt matter cause "well your not American anyways, that's why"

Very glad to have experienced this in London.

"I Love London"

I've been in London for nearly 3 months now, with a little less than 3 to go. I can't say I've seen all of London, or anything close but having the amazing Amanda Eberhardt and Ashley Merriweather visit me from Madrid, Spain made me fall in London all over again.


 I'm not the artsy type. I'm not punk. And while vintage is nice, the idea itself scares me. But I loved visiting Camden with these two chicas.  The overcrowded market smelling of Indian, Moraccan and Indian food reminded me of just why I chose London. Seeing tourists and locals all enjoying the beautiful sunny day in Camden is definitely one of my best experiences since I've been here. Going to a market on a sunny day, is as close as paradise as you can get in London.
And while its great in the day, its just as good as night. Camden is everything that central London is not. It's low key, sultry and fun. Vinyl Bar & The Blues Kitchen were our destinations and while neither were exactly what we expected, they both had their fun. Vinyl Bar had a good dj and nice vibe, too bad we were about 20 years too young for the crowd lol. The Blues Kitchen had a fun crowd and we all left having learned a new dance courtesy of the redhead that was getting it on the dancefloor with her husband/boyfriends/whatever.Despite the fact nothing was perfect. The memories were priceless.

Royal Wedding in London

I should start off this post by apologizing for my non-ambitious Royal Wedding plans. Frankly, I didn't really care much about the royal wedding until the evening before as I read the Evening Standard. Being in London, I had received the numerous notices by the Transport For London authorities as well as by various family members and friends letting me know of the wondrous event.

But it wasn't until I read through the paper and saw the numerous street celebrations, those poor souls who spent nights sleeping outside Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, that I thought this whole 'wedding' maybe something worth experiencing.

As you can guess, I wasn't anywhere near the action. While my fellow foreign students and tourist Americans ran to the front lines to witness the oh-so-anticipated dress and the romantic balcony kiss, I sat back and relaxed with fellow chill Londoners at Green Park and saw EVERYTHING from a big screen T.V.

We laughed, we cheered and some even fought, all in the name of those royals and oh was it great.
And I can't say I didn't leave this special day without a learnt lesson from Kate and Will's oh so cute romance.
Persistence Pays Off! Kate got her man.

What Goldsmiths has taught me about Denison

I thought getting off Denison's campus would be the highlight of my college career. No more entrapment on the hill. No more stinky Huffman food. No more BUBBLE! And while being at Goldsmith has given me the freedom and flexibility I've always wanted from my college career, I now realize why Denison is .... well Denison.

As a tourguide, I hear all the anxious parents asking questions about how to better the chance of their children getting into Denison and hearing those that know they have the funds or connections to send their children there. But, I never did understand what made Denison so darn wonderful that people's jaws would drop when I told them I went there.

As Denison students, we don't appreciate all we do have on the hill. Here are the some reasons I now have a brand new respect for the hill.

1. You get your MONEYS worth.

 Now I complain as much as the next person on how much Denison costs and the eternal debt I will be in for having 4 years on the hill. However, after paying the same exact amount to be at Goldsmiths, I have realized that the money does go somewhere. Primarily, the faculty. I love Denison faculty for many reasons but the first one is, they always know my name. After sitting in a lecture hall here with 50 other students and attending seminars, which NO ONE attends, I've realized the real perks of being in a classroom where there are 19 students, and your obligated to speak. You can't blend in if you tried and the professors, will ALWAYS know your name.

2. Everything is there. EVERYTHING

Denison has everything. Let's be serious now. I get bored on the hill as much as the next person but in all honesty, I never went without anything. We have food. We have beds. We have friends. And plenty of work to keep us occupied if we really want to act like we have nothing to do.

3. Motivation.

Denison is competitive. Everything is competition. From classwork to student leadership opportunities, Denison is cut throat and it's motivation. Students encourage you. Faculty encourage you. Now we don't hold strikes and burn building downs, but we fight for what we believes, whatever those believes are.