Survey

For my online class through the U of M, I had this assignment reflecting on my time here in the UK, and also thinking into the future about re-entering into the US.  I thought it was really helpful, and maybe interesting for others to read.

1.     In what ways have I changed?

Studying abroad has me in a lot of different ways.  Before coming here, I had always felt like I was still just a child, despite being of adult age.  Even though I could be independent, I think I was still relying a lot on other people, particularly my parents.  I have become more autonomous and self-reliant.  Being away from friends and family, I have a lot more self-confidence in doing things by myself.  I have gotten better at being able to make decisions and execute them.

2.     In what ways might my friends and family have changed?

I don’t think they will have changed as people, but things that have happened will have changed the dynamics of the relationship.  My parents have always been rather close-minded, but I think with me studying abroad and growing as a person, that gap will have gotten wider.  Even when I was home, I had always felt like I had a better understanding of the world than my parents because living in a small town doesn’t offer a lot of chances to think critically about the world.  After my experience here in the UK, I feel like I’m actually a part of something bigger than just my life back at home.  I feel more like a “global citizen.”

3.     How would I like my family and friends to treat me when I return home?

I would really like it if they were excited to hear about all my stories and what I learned.  I want them to be excited to hear about the things I did and saw while I was in the UK.  I also would like for them to be patient with me, because I think they will find that I’ve become even more critical than I was before about the United States.

4.     What am I looking forward to the most? The least?

I am most looking forward to being around my friends and family.  I am excited to go back to eating my mother’s cooking, being at home, and seeing my friends in Minneapolis.  Being away has given me a newfound appreciation for Minneapolis.  There are a lot of things I miss about being in the city, particularly the convenience of everything.

I’m least looking forward to not hearing British accents every day and discussing English culture with my UK friends.  It’s fun to talk about the differences in culture and being with others that have a very different cultural perspective.  I am also least looking forward to the bitter Minnesota winter and not being able to see the English landscape every day.

5.     What are the lessons I have learned that I never want to forget?

I have learned to be more accepting of people.  People in the UK are more homogeneous than what I am used to.  They have a strong sense of what is “English,” and it took a little while for me to get used to, although I love it now!  I think the US stresses being unique and having your own sense of self.  In the UK, people are unique, but at the same time, there’s a sense of solidarity there in being English.  And even though I considered myself a very good listener before my study abroad experience, I think I’ve gotten even better at taking the time to hear people’s different point of views.

6.     What are some skills I have learned?

I have learned to manage my time better between being social, focusing on school work, and travelling.  I have also learned to adapt to a new environment and understand the cultural differences.  I have also learned how to communicate despite these cultural differences through listening and observing in new environments.

7.     Some say that re-entry shock is more challenging than initial culture shock. What are some things I might do to make the transition easier?

I think it would help if I tried to seek out others who have had study abroad experiences.  And it might also be helpful for me to stay in touch with the friends I made while in the UK.  But I think talking it out with someone would probably be the most helpful to me.

8.     What have been the important things about this study abroad experience that I want to share with family and friends?

I’d really like to show them pictures of my travels around the UK, and tell them about how differently education works in the UK.  Going to school here has had a big impact on me, because it works so differently here.  I think I would also share my frustrations, but also talk about the fun times I had with the friends I made.

9.     What do I want to do with the experiences I’ve had?

I would really like to speak to others about the positive effects the experience had on me.  One of my neighbors from home who is a substitute teacher asked me before I left if would be interested in talking to some younger students about my trip after I come back.  I am really looking forward to do more things like that, and giving insight to others about life outside the United States.  I want to share the perspectives that people in the UK have about people in the US.

Cheers! :)

Feeling This

Sunday (Oct. 16)

After coming back to the flat, I watched some Friends with Carolyn (surprise, surprise).  We stayed up quite late...I think we had too much energy after spending time working in the library.  We were up until 2am making food.  And I guess that night was the night to talk to everyone because I think I skyped with nearly my entire friends circle plus family.

Monday (Oct. 17)

Despite staying up late the night before, I managed to get up early!  I got up at around 7:30am.  I got back from one lecture at around noon, and just hung out in my flatmate, Shaun's, room watching Extreme Couponing and Hoarders.  I miss TV...

Carolyn, Cíara, and I had a movie night watching Friends and Tangled.  It's too bad we didn't get to finish, though, because it took forever to buffer.  Internet here is really annoying, but I guess it's better than not having it at all.

We also made late night food and had girl talk again.

Tuesday (Oct. 18)

I got back from classes Tuesday feeling pretty good.  I had my creative writing class, and I think it went really well.  People that read my piece told me they really liked it.  Although, I suppose I can't really imagine someone coming into class and telling another person they didn't like their piece of writing.

We went through an exercise where we took the clichéd, "It was a dark and stormy night."  My tutor told us to write two more lines to create a lead, or hook, to grab the reader.  Mine was something like this:

It was a dark and stormy night.  I looked at my sister, and I knew she understood the damage that had just been done.  As I rose from the body, I dropped the gun and turned into the kitchen to watch the blood from my hands.

I must have done a pretty good job because she said that my lead could probably end with just the first sentence.  Maybe, I'm a better writer than I thought I was. :)

This guy in my class invited me back to his flat to have some tea.  It was very English.  We also spent some time in Waterstone talking about books.  He lent me his copy of Jane Eyre because I have yet to read it.  Ah!  I have so much to read.

Carolyn, Zhen, and I also booked tickets to go see some real football!  We're going to see the Arsenal vs. Wigan game on December 3rd.

Cíara took me and Carolyn out with some of her friends to a club called Revolutions.  It was a reaaally good night.  We played a drinking game with cards called Vendetta.  Basically, you put down a card and choose someone to drink for the number of seconds corresponding with the card.  If someone else around the table has the same number card, they can save that chosen person and pick someone else to drink.  I ended up drinking my entire bottle of wine again.  Hee.

Wednesday (Oct. 19)

I had no class today!  Whoohoo!

I stayed in recovering from the night before...I actually wasn't that bad. Maybe a little dehydrated.

I should probably have done some work today, but I'm such a naughty procrastinatorrrr.  I just don't want to.  Especially on a day off.  This is my problem.  I only end up doing work on days where I have to be productive by going to class or working.  Still, I've been a bit out of my mind here.  I think I'm still getting used to being here, because I've been stupid and forgetful lately.  Tomorrow is a new day!  I need to wake up from this sleep!

I'm gonna do work today, and watch Pirates of the Caribbean with Carolyn.  And can I just say that I miss Korea even more than I miss home?  I was going through some of my pictures with her, and I could feel my heart aching like I was missing a long, lost lover.

This entry will updated with some photos from the night before later.

Cheers! :)