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While I work in a emergency room, I have never been a patient in a emergency room but, sure enough, a couple weeks into my time here in England, I had to make a visit to the emergency room, or as they call it here, A and E, which stands for accident and emergency.
I was walking to get on my bike for a indoor cycling class when I slipped on water and fell to the ground. I am not even sure the logistics of how I fell or what I got caught on, because when I stood up I felt fine. However, everyone was screaming there was blood on the ground and when I looked down there was actually quite a lot of blood. Unsure where it came from, I began looking everywhere when I saw my right pinky finger and became faint. My whole nail was ripped off and hanging on by a thread. I think I was in shock because it didn’t start hurting till the class instructor and sports trainer started cleaning and wrapping it. Without getting into too much gorey detail, let’s just say it wasn’t pretty and there was someone screaming – me. Once the trainer wrapped it up, he told me to go to the A and E. So, I called up one of the other girls who came here with me from Linfield and we walked there. Luckily, the hospital is right next to campus.
When I got there it wasn’t too busy, at least not what I am use to seeing at my job in the American ER, but it was a whole lot more complicated to find where the ER was. It felt like I walked the whole hospital to fine it. I went up to the counter to check in and she asked for my surname (last name), I told her I am not from England but she said I should be in the system. Apparently, everyone in England when you first arrive, or born, is registered with the National Health Service (NHS). I didn’t know this. So, therefore, I was not in the system and it took some 5 registers to figure out how to check me in without being registered with NHS. Let just say I learned my lesson and went to register with NHS after. Anyways, I got checked in and waited about 45 minutes. The nurse practitioner checked out my finger and, after realizing I need it to be numb because I was screaming every time she touched it, put my nail back into the nail bed and wrapped it up. I went home all better, at least I thought.
The next day I was curious what it looked like, I mean I am a nursing student after all, so I unwrapped it….. and it was very very purple. I didn’t think that was normal so I asked a friend who is a EMT and they suggested going back. So, I did and sure enough the X ray showed it was broken.
The crazy part of this whole experience is that I went to the emergency room twice and never once was asked for insurance, money or anything. WHATTTTTT? That is something you don’t experience in America for sure.
Moral of the story, watch where you walking because having a broken finger hurts and showering with a finger cast isn’t fun.
21st birthdays are interesting when studying abroad in a country that has a legal drinking age of 18. It doesn’t really feel… special at all. Just another birthday for the books. My birthday just sort of came and went. Since it was on a Saturday, the majority of my friends were out of town traveling. Some on school trips, some off galavanting across Europe. In a town as small as Aix, it was slim pickings as to what to do for my birthday.
I honestly don’t remember what I did that morning. I remember not sleeping well, like always. It’s been worse since getting back from London, which makes no sense, and as I sit here writing this at midnight, I don’t see it getting better any time soon. I did get a tattoo later on in the morning: my first one.
It honestly didn’t hurt that much, but it’s healing kinda wonky. I’m taking care of it as I’m supposed to, so I’m just gonna chalk it up to my skin being sensitive.
Aside from food, the only other thing I actually did on my birthday was attempt to go bowling. I say attempt because when my friends and I got to the bowling alley, it was packed and booked through midnight. Jokes on me I guess for not making a reservation. But in my defense, their website is impossible to navigate. So needless to say, we did not go bowling and ended up just going to a bar. It was fine in the end, with plenty of memes spread and tinder profiles swiped. Though it was small, it was a nice way to end my night. I know if I was back in the states I would have gone out to dinner with 7 or 8 of my friends and it would have been a lot.
Birthday drink with candy and kumquat on top. Delicious!
That Sunday was sort of a continuation of the previous day, getting Indian food for lunch (which was delicious) and seeing Black Panther in theaters. I couldn’t help but laugh when the French subtitles appeared on screen. I don’t know what I was expecting since the movie was in English, but apparently not that.
Gosht Biryani is so good!
A few days later, my friend Ash and I had a bigger group of friends out for drinks as a joint belated birthday party. His birthday was during Fall Break so everyone really was gone. It was interesting trying to find a bar that wasn’t packed shoulder to shoulder with bundled up men and the occasional woman huddled over a singular tv. It was the first France game of the World Cup that night. Interesting to watch. Not the game, but the people watching the game.
I’m thankful for all the friends I’ve made while here <3
Between my birthday and Thanksgiving happening a few days later, it really sunk in how lonely I feel. Study abroad, as fun as it is, is an isolating and lonely experience. It doesn’t matter how many friends you make or how busy you keep yourself: that feeling of loneliness will never go away. Especially with big milestones or holidays. You’re by yourself in a foreign country, away from everyone who you rely on for comfort and safety. Traditions are broken. Events are missed. I know I’ve had this feeling all semester of not being able to do anything for my myriad of clubs back home. Of hopelessness.
IAU held a Thanksgiving lunch for us in place of actual Thanksgiving Dinner
Studying abroad is a totally worthwhile activity and I recommend it completely! I’ve had experiences here I’d never be able to do and met people I’d never meet otherwise, but it is a really mentally taxing activity. I think, now hitting the 3 month mark, I’m ready to come home.
It’s December, which means a few things. A (really cold) chill in in the air, Christmas decor is sprouting up in every home, and the most dreaded weeks are coming up for students: Finals.
Despite the last week of classes being labeled “Finals Week”, finals for me started last week, and trickled into the weekend before. We had finals on Saturday, which felt bizarre. Also very uncalled for.
1 of 7 photos submitted for my final photography class. Subject: orange blossoms1 of 7 photos submitted for my final photography class. Subject: pigeon
I only had 3 scheduled finals, with my 4th one being something I’ll get to later. My English Lit class was easy enough: write two in-class essays in accordance with the two questions given in each sentence. It was just our midterm with new questions and different books.
Photography took a bit more prep but was overall easy: edit photos, submit said photos, submit 1 page paper talking about process, show photos and Q&A day of final. My professor was also super sweet and took those of us who wanted to go some vin chaud (mulled wine) afterwards. She even paid. How kind.
1 of 7 photos submitted for my final photography class. Subject: London aquariumCheers to a good semester
I haven’t taken my French final yet but it’ll just be my midterm with new material. I’ll study later for it. Now, the last final I have is the bane of my existence. It’s for my music of the Mediterranean course, and this project… I’ve got some issues: basically, we have until December 23rd, which is after we go home, to create a 2-minute song using sounds from around town that we have to record.
Sounds simple enough, except the program she wants us to use, I can’t because my laptop broke back in early November. I had two options- either work in the computer lab for hours on end and hope to get it done before I leave, or see if she has any alternatives I can do. I went with the second option, since I have other things I need to do this upcoming week. She let me use my iPad, which at least gives me an opportunity to work from anywhere and even from home if I need to. I have about 20 seconds currently. It’s not a fun final. Easy class the entire semester, brutal end. Would not recommend.
Speaking of December, all of the cute Christmas decor is really getting me through this month. Aix as a city seems very cohesive with their decor, decorating all around town with white and gold lights, along with orange and red ornaments – the town’s colors. Lights started going into trees and onto buildings (turned off) as early as October. My type of people. They don’t have Thanksgiving as a fall back, so it makes sense.
Cute decorations one of the neighbors put up in the hallwayIAU gets in the spiritLarge elegant Christmas tree in the courtyard of the Palais de Justice.
Holiday festivities around town really started back mid November, but it’s all in high gear now. The Christmas Market is in full swing, shops are decked out, and the lights are turned on all over town, including on the Rotonde, encompassing the whole thing.
Fontain de Rotonde illuminated in lights
The Christmas markets are actually really cute, and I enjoy walking through them every time I go to the bus stop. Little booths span the entirety of Cours Mirabeau, selling many artisan goods by locals. Some sell food, others crafted goods. Loads of lavender and vin chaud to be had. At each end it transforms from quaint wooden booths to rainbow carnival, hosting lots of rides and amusement attractions for children. It’s really sweet to watch. I’ve gotten a few things from the Christmas markets and my only gripe is that they don’t take credit cards at most booths. I don’t carry much cash, if any. I’m not quite sure why they do it, but I know if it was in the states, there would be a square or clover at every booth!
Christmas market at sunset
All these reminders of Christmas only cement the fact that I’m not at home for the holiday season. It’s both a blessing and a curse to see all these French families enjoying all the festivities. Christmas is my favorite season, along with my mom’s. It’s something we’ve always shared together, even if I was stuck at my dad’s. I should be using it all as motivation to pack and get ready to leave, but it’s making me sad and halting my process, not aided by any means by finals.
A bizarre phenomenon that the locals call “Bird Clouds”
I am really excited to leave though. As of today, Sunday December 11th, I have 4 days left here in Aix. Well, really 3 and some odd hours as I fly out of Marseille pretty early on Thursday. I really enjoyed my time here, both the ups and downs. I think I’ve really matured, and I’ve certainly gotten better at traveling by myself (as much as I hate it still). Whether my french has gotten better is certainly questionable, but I’ll blame that mainly on my anxiety more than anything else. France has been such a unique experience, one certainly different than the US.
Things I will miss:
The cheap bread and pastries. A whole baguette is like… 1 euro, if that.
Take-away pasta places. Not like Olive Garden door-dash, but like little pasta fast food places.
The public transport being clean and not difficult to use (and inexpensive).
My roommates and the other friends I’ve made since arriving here.
Things I will not miss:
Their love of thon (tuna). My least favorite fish. It’s so gross.
Everywhere closing super early. I miss my late night delivery.
Sundays. Everything’s closed.
Stairs. Everything’s upstairs or uphill here. I miss elevators. I miss my car.
After today, I just need to pack, take one final, and attend our closing ceremony on Wednesday. Then back home I go. I can’t be more ready.
Now we come to Lisbon, that Iberian rascal. I prefer it to Italy, which is an outrageous statement, I know, but I live for controversy.
I arrived in Dublin in the evening, crashed at Megan’s, and slept for approximately thirty minutes before our 2 AM bus to the airport. Most painless TSA passing of my life, which I attribute to my expert packing: all my worldly possessions crammed into one, single Maxpedition backpack that’s seen me through, now, six international junkets. What a loyal friend, that green, ratty thing.
Arrived, again, painlessly. Immigration was a breeze. Had no quarrels with the hostel people when we arrived by, first, the metro, then our own untrained feet that had to be reminded of the woes of cobblestone. We treated ourselves to pastel de natas, God’s bloody gift, which I indulged in excessively. Then we checked out a market near the water where I bought my mother a little something for Christmas. Hit the hay early, I admit. Couldn’t help it after running on a half hour of sleep.
Day two, how salubrious. Walked ten miles with our legs of steel, pursing geocaches (a newly acquired hobby of mine, thanks to Megan’s influence) scattered around the city. Jerónimos Monastery, an utter smack in the face in its glory. Belém Tower, a surprisingly quick line, and built in that exaggerated style I wish, one day, for a future house of mine to mimic. Architectural debauchery, if you ask me, and I live for it.
Architectural Debauchery
Dinner at Faz Frio, whose waiter I danced with shamelessly when the music called for it. Let it be known, cod and wine mix well. To anyone visiting Lisbon in the future, if you don’t eat at Faz Frio, you might as well decline food altogether. It’s practically a religious experience.
Day three, trip to the town of Sintra for a walk through Pena Palace, the vacation house of the royal family (19th century grandeur, to give you an idea), and the Moorish Castle, which dates back to the 8th Century. Pena Palace was furnished, I tell you! No empty rooms, the walls dripping with color and detail and, in one specific room, a green, emerald wardrobe that made me drool. If ever I possess one, that’s how I’ll know I’ve made it. “Megan, look…” said, agog, around every corner, finger pointing here and there to the annoyance of the other guests. There may have been a moment of screaming. Me and my tea sets.
Pano of PenaDelighted beyond belief
The Moorish castle was more of a meditation. A small hike on the walls overlooking Sintra, fog thick, people few (as few will brave the incline). Silence, mostly. “I don’t think you or I realize how old this place is…” The clouds were coming in and the rain was on its way. We made it back to Lisbon before the weather could dampen us, literally and figuratively.
October was erratic, to say the least. The first portion was spent romancing Dublin, the second preparing, and then traveling to Lisbon, a decision made (as all the best are) by the youthful spirit of spontaneity. (To humble myself, perhaps spontaneity is merely a pretty word used to gloss over the actual sense that overtook me: recklessness or mid-term stressors or that special kind of indifference that is not necessarily a detriment, but rather a shrug-of-the-shoulders symptom in which one trusts in themselves enough to know that they’ll thrive anywhere, and so anywhere it is, anywhere being Lisbon). Allow me to walk you through my month of rapid heartbeats that led up to such an adventure.
I took the train to Dublin so many times, I can’t recall the number. Played games of this-way-that-way until, on more than one occasion, I was looking at deteriorated, Victorian graves in a churchyard near a swanky cafe. (Shoutout to Social Fabric for the best pancakes in town).
One of my strolls included the continuous listening to Blue Oyster Cult, walking down some random street until my legs couldn’t propel me further. The sunset surprised me -reminded me I had only an hour before my train back to Galway. Here’s the POV, but no face-shot of the initial panic.
Dublin, as the sun sets
I met up with some dear friends on another of the Dublin outings. The already mentioned Megan, and our fellow compatriot, Cara, visiting from D.C. The Guinness factory was “eh,” as I have no affiliation for beer. But the literature shared in Saint Stephen’s Green on that unforgivingly cold autumn day… How lucky I am to have such like-minded people in my life. Bookish and fashionable, obsessed with the art of conversation and unafraid of passion – utterly Oscar-Wilde-esque. The best of our qualities were exposed in the convivial park, home to the comings-and-goings of Dublin’s families and college friend groups.
Musings in St Stephen’s GreenA prolonged jaunt
Admittedly, I prefer Dublin to Galway. That is not to say I don’t find pleasure in my current surroundings. But there is communion taken in step-by-step introductions to a new, lonely street. To a statue, to a park, to people-watching from behind the window of a new cafe. I’ve explored Galway to death, but Dubin! Like any significant metropolis, one could live there for half a century and not know there’s a cute deli on x street, a hermetic bookstore on y. It’s an ever-expanding monopoly board. Doesn’t matter how many times the loop has been made.
I have never experienced anything so mind blowing as the University of Nottingham, since I am not use to such a big school. The University of Nottingham is probably over 20 times the size of both the population and area of Linfield. There are so many students that security guards had to be at the orientation-week fairs for crowd-control and the orientation fairs included so many free gifts that students were walking around with tote bags full of free goodies.
What is even crazier, is the number of buses available to take you around campus and to the different campuses. At Linfield, it takes less than 10 minutes to walk from one side to the other. However, I am glad there is a bus because I live on one of the campuses and all my classes are on another.
Below are some pictures of The University of Nottingham. Both older and more modern buildings can be seen.
Portland BuildingDjanogly Learning Resource Centre Library
Displayed is a brown wood and lots of glass -windowed bowl shape building with thin, steel, vertical beams. The building is surrounded by a small river of water with a small bridge to get to the building.
Beyond orientation week, the first first week of school provided some new learning experiences. After the introductions to all my classes (here they are called modules), I realized 2 main things: the majority of classes are graded on one end of the module exam or essay and while they do speak English, some words are spelled differently then in America. For example, in the UK, they spell behaviour and colour. In contrast, we spell it behavior and color and Linfield’s classes are based on exams and coursework throughout the module, instead of one big essay or test.
My History of Science professor showed us a cut-out of Einstein’s blackboard he wrote on when he taught a lecture at the University of Nottingham, probably nearly 100 years ago. However, it is in German so I cannot read it, but I will be writing a research paper on Einstein, so maybe I will look into what that blackboard says.
Einstein’s Blackboard
It’s taken me a while to adjust to all the differences. I definitely have been feeling like a outsider here, but I have met some amazing people from all different backgrounds as the University of Nottingham has a high international population. I have really enjoyed meeting so many new people. I even have become friends with a girl studying here from Texas, which is a crazy coincidence since I grew up in Texas. I guess even in a big school, it’s still a small world.
Two weeks ago I went to the cutest cat cafe I’ve ever been to. Granted, I don’t think I’ve actually been to one before that Tuesday so there is not exactly a high bar to reach to become the best. It was unassuming looking from the outside, with some Halloween decor (a rarity here) and some pastel colored seating, which confused me as why would anyone want to sit outside where the cats couldn’t go but I digress. Step inside the first doors, and get let in through the second set however, and you’re blasted with cute cat paraphernalia, pastels, cat items, and most importantly: cats.
Opium being very curious of my drink
I went with my friend Ash, who within the span of the previous week had already racked up three stamps on his carte fidelite (stamp card). He walked in with confidence and sat down, where as I was instantly distracted by this beautiful orange cat named Dexter who was perfectly sitting on a pink shell chair that when I sent a picture to my mom was more interesting than the cat.
Dexter sitting like the gentleman he is
The food was delicious. I had a blackberry tea and a grilled cheese, and it was overall a really fun time. The cats kept wandering around the entire time, going from table to table looking for pets, to which we happily obliged. They knew why we were there.
This was delicious 🙂
Eventually, after about probably an hour of being there, I had to get to class and Ash wanted to go back to his homestay and take a nap, so we got up to leave. Not without some more pets and a swipe by the youngest one from a cardboard box way too big for her. I got my stamp card, and I definitely see myself returning there again.
Opium chillin’ on the ceilingKita staring me down. She hates me for some reason
Then on Wednesday the 12th, our school’s GSA hosted a “Coming Out Day Expo” in response to National Coming Out Day being the day before. I joined the GSA the week prior, and that was the week we decided to do the event, so we planned an entire event in 5 days. I’m proud of us.
All attendees at the end of the night, allies and LGBTQ+ members alike.
We hosted the event for a few reasons. We wanted to provide students with a safe space that they could feel comfortable celebrating who they were, ally or part of the community. We also wanted it to be an event where allies could learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and ask questions. We had a few of the obvious annoying people as all events like that seem to attract, but otherwise I think it went super well! We got so many more people than I think any of us were expecting, and one of the guys I know stood at the table I was running for 15 minutes, reading the Trevor Project page I had pulled up and asking questions. It was super sweet. Its people like him that make us want to do events like that.
The rest of the week was just midterm after midterm. I have so many. I don’t know how they expect us to do work and also travel. I feel like traveling is one of the biggest perks to Studying Abroad, but with so much homework and studying, I don’t know how anyone has time for anything lol. I don’t travel nearly as much as some of the others in my program, and wow. I don’t know how they do it.
Of course, instead of doing homework and studying this weekend, I lounged on my bed all Saturday, and Sunday I took a day trip to Marseille. Now, this isn’t the first time I’ve gone to Marseille, but it’s the first time for something I’ve wanted to do. We don’t count the Marseille Beer Festival in this house.
I went with Sophia of Disneyland Paris fame and the whole reason we went was to see an orchestra play Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts music, and wow we were in for quite the treat. We left earlier than we needed to because Sophia wanted to go to the Lego Store. Luckily it was only about a five minute walk from there to the concert venue. So off we went. The bus ride to Marseille takes anywhere from 25-40 minutes depending on traffic, and today it was on our side. What wasn’t on our side was the distance of our destinations from the Gare Saint-Charles. The Lego Store was a 25 minute walk from the train station, to which neither of us wanted to do, but we also didn’t know how to figure out the bus system in Marseille, so we started walking.
The most modern looking thing I’ve seen in a while
To the surprise of us both, the Lego Store ended up being in a massive mall, which neither of us were expecting. There are no malls in Aix, with it being a small town, so the only large shopping structure I’ve seen so far before that point was the one we stumbled across in Paris, which funny enough was also because of a Lego Store. There was the first food court I’ve seen since getting here, a million shops, and a blessed Starbucks. Why are there no Starbucks’ in Aix?
Sophia being a boss outside The Silo
The Lego Store was a pretty decent size for the mall, and both of us ended up leaving with a set. I don’t know how I’m going to get all of my stuff back, but we’ll figure it out. That’s a December me problem. After walking around for a bit, we made our way over to the concert venue, which was an old silo and was aptly named as such. Super cool inside, very industrial feel, and even though we had seats on the side, our view of the stage was pretty good.
The concert itself was amazing. I didn’t know what to expect really going into it since I never attended any of my high school’s orchestra concerts and thus had never been to one. I don’t think my high school orchestra had electric guitars, fog machines, or color changing lights. I now know why they call themselves the Neko Light Orchestra. Movie music medleys, tributes to the most beloved professor, Umbridge (-_-), and a beautiful tribute to Robbie Coltrane were among some of the many sets they played, and honestly, I don’t think another orchestra will top it. What other orchestra has you on your feet clapping along to a rap version of “Double Double Boil Trouble”? Exactly.
A tribute to everyone’s *favorite* professorChaotic rock energy for the Weasley twin tribute
Aix was dark when we got back. We had missed the bus we were supposed to get on and the next one didn’t leave for an extra 15 minutes after what it was supposed to. So I walked back by myself. On one hand, I like the cool night air and the peace, but at the same time… I’m a girl. I don’t really feel safe walking around by myself during the day, nevertheless at night. I was fine, but even in a relatively safe city like Aix, I can’t get rid of these feelings. There’s not a light switch I can simply switch on and off.
I did make it home without being kidnapped thankfully, and despite how exhausted I was from walking everywhere, I proceeded to stay up until 2am building my Lego set. It’s not exactly a Christmas scene per say, but I’ve always contributed Hogsmeade to Christmas time, and in these stressful midterm weeks, I could use the bit of happiness. I mean, look how cute it is!
I’m craving butterbeer now
I’ve got another week of midterms to do, but my next post will be a massive one, since it’ll be about my week long trip to London! I’m doing a solo trip for six days, so look forward to all my pictures. Since writing the majority of this, I did go on an overnight trip to Paris with one of my classes, but I don’t feel like writing about it, so here’s a few pictures, and I’ll write again in a couple weeks.
Notre dame from the frontEiffel tower at sunset from the top of Centre PompidouThe Olympic rings outside the town hallBig Christmas energy at the top of the Printemps Department Store
I have so many more photos but that’s all for now.
Classes started off pretty easy, with the exception of the English class I transferred into that made me do the homework for day one despite my not being in the first class. I digress. I could’ve gone to Monaco before then, but I didn’t sign up fast enough. So, we went to Saint Tropez instead. Beautiful, expensive Saint Tropez and its hike of a beach trip.
When we came back from Saint Tropez, however, was the real interesting part of the day. I enjoy sipping rose and slushies on the beach as much as the next person, but what other city practically sets itself on fire for fun? I was slightly nervous, given our experience with wildfires in the past couple of years, but my roommates and I had been seeing it set up for a week, so we couldn’t NOT go.
Beforehand, since it started once the sun set, we got delicious 2 euro pizza that I’m definitely going back to at some point, and walked around. So many metal structures ablaze with fire. It was beautiful. It started at a local theatre, which had all sorts of little things set up. I believe there was more inside but we didn’t go in. I was too enamored by the outside.
Large wall on the outside of a theatre illuminated by candles on the ground and “floating” lanterns made by candles in tee-shirts.
Then we began walking towards the Rotonde, my roommates and I, along with a classmate of mine and a friend of hers. There was fire everywhere, but they had workers all over the place equipped with equipment if the breeze blew a little too strong. Finally reaching the fountain, we saw the big center point of the festival.
It. Was. Amazing. I mean, I did have a bit of a panic flashback moment to Phantom of the Opera and its ending, but aside from that, it was brilliant. The fountain looked ethereal under the flames and smoke. PotO be damned, nothing would ruin that fountain’s time in the spotlight. I couldn’t take my eyes off it. I may have been in a summer dress at 8:30 at night, but I wasn’t cold in the slightest. There was so much fire all around us that it didn’t feel like the sun had gone down. It was a good test of my new phone’s night mode.
Large, metal chandelier adorned with a myriad of candles hung from a crane over the Rotonde Fountain
As amazing as it was, that wasn’t the only thing that happened in September (aside from classes of course). There was a fun bowling night put on by the school that I attended with my friend Ash. I was really worried how I’d do with house equipment, as I have my own custom stuff back home, but I did shockingly well.
A photo of myself and my friend Ash at bowling.
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The last thing I want to mention is my trip to Arles, France. I went with my photography class and despite the fact that it was pouring in the morning, it was super beautiful and a pretty fun time. I’m not really huge on photo exhibitions (I much prefer museums) but those were pretty cool too. There was one on Red Cross photography that was particularly impactful.
A fountain in the center of Arles, France. Surrounded by lots of grey/beige buildings of various styles and functions, all atop a grey stone street/courtyard
I also got to know some of my classmates through that trip, and I talked with one about Disneyland Paris for like… 10 minutes over sorbet. Seems that both of us wanted to go at some point but couldn’t find anyone to go with 🙂
After a long awaited 324 days since I found out I was selected to study in England , I am glad to say I finally made it to the University of Nottingham. Overall, I have to say it was a very smooth sailing trip. Not even a single delay, which came as a surprise, because I have terrible luck flying internationally.
I definitely was jet legged at first as it is a 8 hour difference from Oregon, so that took some getting use to both in adjusting my sleeping schedule and in figuring out times to talk to family and friends back home. I been here a few weeks now though, so I think I finally got the hang of it.
Waiting for our Plane.
I arrived in England to the typically English weather of clouds, rain and cold weather, but after the heat we endured this summer in Oregon, I am not complaining about a little cold. I am very happy about it.
It truly is gorgeous here especially the country sides we drove through on the bus ride to the University of Nottingham from the airport. Since arriving however, I have realized it’s only rained a couple times and, typically, it’s been sunny and in the 50s, if we are taking Fahrenheit or in the 10s, if we are talking Celsius. Therefore, I have been able to walk around the town of Nottingham quite a bit to soak up beauty of temporary home for the next few months. England really is gorgeous and full of history.
Wollaton Hall
Deer Park
When people ask why I choose England out of all the study abroad opportunities that Linfield provides, I tend to always say because of the history, and because they speak English, so I didn’t have to learn a new language. However, England English can be a lot different than American English, and even if you try to pretend you are English, people can easily tell you are American by the accent.
Yet, people love complementing American accents and love to ask you a bunch of questions on what America is like because what they know about America comes from movies. I have had to reassure people that college in America isn’t just one huge frat party like television portrays.
There is so much more I have learned and experience since being here and I had quite a eventful first week of school. Let’s just say culture shook is a real thing, so watch out for new entries and I will update soon!
PS: Dorms are a lot smaller than what I am use to at Linfield but you do get your own bathroom and mini fridge so that’s a big win in my book.
The early start program I participated in was really fun, and I am glad I did it for the bonds I made with my fellow students, but wow I was exhausted.
The first day started off as most first days at a new college starts: sitting in a chair stupidly early listening to people introduce themselves and talk about the same thing we talked about during the pre-orientation meetings. My roommates, Grace and Eshen, and I were almost late that day because our app took us a completely different direction than the school.
After that, and each morning after, we had French class, although I was put in the wrong one so I had no idea what the professor was saying half the time. I was too anxious to bring it up though, so I just had to sit and suffer. I partially blame the people who put me in that class, but also my French hearing comprehension has failed me miserably this whole time. I am so thankful that Mara was in that class too because she helped me a ton.
I know you want to hear every single itty-bitty detail about my time sitting in an uncomfortable wooden chair talking about visas, but I will skip most of the other “orientation” orientation stuff and get to the good stuff: all the fun activities.
Shopping area in Aix-en-Provence. The stone path is shaded by a massive canopy of foliage and roses draped from one rooftop to another. Great shield from the heat
So Tuesday, August 30th, was the first real day I was out on the town. We were almost late that morning too, but that’s besides the point. In our French groups, we did rotating groups doing two different activates. We did a tour of Aix, which was beautiful. So many areas I hadn’t explored up to that point, including the main monument of the town: the massive “Fontaine de la Rotonde”. I’ll be mentioning it in the future, but I’m just going to refer to it as “the Rotonde” for future reference.
We are told to not be the drunk American stereotype, but one of the reasons why our tour guide rushed through the beginning part of the tour, was to be able to show us “Bar Street” as everyone calls it. Needless to say, that’s a popular spot. Fun fact: the busiest day to go out here is a Thursday night. Another fun fact: one of our alumni fellows this semester is a graduated English major from Linfield! Isn’t that nuts?
Sunny day at the rotonde.
The other event we did was a wine and cheese tasting, and that was interesting as I don’t like wine. This was the one event my mom was jealous of when I told her, so I instantly sent her a picture when I did it, to which I got an annoyed response.
Fast forward a day and we have our first excursion: a trip to Ile de Porquerolles. The beach! This was probably my favorite excursion we’ve gone on since I’ve gotten here. We took a bus to an island that we had to ride a ferry to get onto and then we were on this beautiful Mediterranean island!
The food was delicious, and oh my gosh the water! Obviously we go to school in Oregon, so the water is cold. I’ll swim because I’m crazy and used to it, but most won’t. This water was so warm and blue, and while it was a lot saltier than I expected, I did not care. Swimming in the Mediterranean sea is what really made it sink in that I was in France.
View from the clifftops overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Sailboats wade in the deep blue waters as little specks of people lounge on the beach below
Around this time, COVID decided to rear its ugly head and while I did not catch it, one of my roommates and almost all her friend group got it. It actually spread through quite a few of the ESP kids, causing us to be uninvited to the ESP/Regular student mixer that Sunday. Oops 🙁
The last day of the program was a picnic in a nearby park after French. It was a really chill way to end off the chaotic week of cooking classes (which is ironic because most of us can’t use the kitchen in our home stays) and library visits.
You’d think we’d be at classes now, but nope. There was one more thing in the way: regular orientation plus it’s excursion. We were banned from the regular orientation because of COVID, but were allowed on the trip to La Ciotat, another beach town. While beautiful in it’s own right, this trip required more hiking and overall, more busywork than our gleeful splash through Ile de Porquerolles. The ocean was colder there too, but just as salty. I still had fun though.
Felicity
A photo of myself with the Mediterranean Sea and La Ciotat in the background. I am sitting on a cliff with trees and brown rocks below me
