We have been together two whole months my dear readers. And by ‘we’ I mean London and myself.
It’s true, I’m about to hit the two month mark. It means a lot of things. Mainly it means half of my time abroad is gone (and not coming back!) but I’m still left with two months. It also means it has been about a month since my first week break which is nuts because I’m still tried thinking about it.
I’ve always heard that studying abroad changes a person, and it’s true. I’ve learned a lot about myself while I’ve been here. I wonder if other people will notice. My friends I’ve made this semester only know me as ‘study abroad Paige’, but the ‘Paige from San Diego’ has changed drastically, in all good ways I hope!
I’ll start shallow and work deeper.
I learned I enjoy cooking. I know am slightly addicted to cooking and recipe websites, it’s like the new pinterest. I don’t actually hate doing dishes (my mom will be thrilled) but I hate when people consistently don’t do their own dishes.
My sense of adventure has expanded! I’m not afraid to try new food (having food with names in English and ingredients in German is a great experience) and I’m certainly not afraid to jump off or out of things (planes, mountains, you name it!). I have this feeling of wanting to experience everything, especially London. I can’t get enough of it and I’m terrified to leave.
I have learned how to go with the flow. For those of you who knew me before studying abroad, you know I’m a bit of a control freak…but no more! Or at least not as bad. Having every possible problem with transportation taught me that you just have to let go and find another way. Laughter and friends also helped. It’s a lesson I’ll take home with me. Pretty much, nothing can be that bad because people speak English at home. Being in another country really puts things in perspective! I will be able to handle everything life throws at me.
I know homesickness is supposed to happen but….I’m not really homesick. Obviously, I miss my family and my boyfriend and my friends but if they could come out here with me, I would be perfectly fine! I think part of the no homesickness is due to the way my program is structured. Technically we are never in the house for more than a month. We were here for three weeks before we went on our first week break and then our next break is in a few weeks. Between the breaks is packed with PAPERS. I’ll have written a paper a week for SIX WEEKS. It is unnecessary. Then after our second break we have roughly a month left until we are done! And in that month there is a scheduled weekend to the Lake District and a weekend in Denmark. It’s crazy! Seriously crazy!
It’ll be major culture shock going back home. But that’s for another time.
I am so happy to have been able to go to this program and experience the world. I believe that everyone should study abroad at least once in their college years. The world is so much bigger than your little bubble and I wish everyone could see even a little portion of it.
So that’s my wish for all you lovely readers. If you are in college go visit your study abroad office and check it out, I’m sure they are wonderful people and have wonderful opportunities for you.
Ok enough of me! This weekend the whole house is going on a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland. It’s going to be a fun one!
Cheers,
Paige