Hello again!
I feel so incredibly lucky to be able to live and study in England. I wouldn’t trade the experiences I have had here for anything. Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like if I went to an American college, but it always leads me to imagine all the things I wouldn’t have been able to experience and learn if I did.
Before I even properly started thinking about moving to England, I idolized it. I dreamed of hanging out with a bunch of English people, exploring some of the oldest, most influential, and architecturally stunning cities the UK has to offer, and being able to go to the other European countries on a mere whim! Unlike many dreams, these came true. I have met some of the funniest and most rambunctious people, spend every free moment of my life visiting every corner of the UK, and have been to nine countries in just two years. Beyond just these past two years, I plan on going to Scotland, Ireland for St. Patricks Day, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Germany for Oktoberfest, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic next year during my weekends and holidays while I work. So while I may not go to a college football game every Friday, I have countless cultures and unforgettable experiences in my grasp for the taking.
The friends that I have met here will be my friends for a lifetime. They are from all over the world. I have always thought that it was cool my parents knew people in places like Italy, Asia, Dubai, Australia, France… the list goes on, but it is because they grew up in a place that is so culturally diverse. I now have friends properly from countries all over the world. They aren’t just a certain nationality because their parents are; they were raised in these countries. I have friends from Russia, Spain, France, Canada, Turkey, Czech Republic, Indonesia, South Korea, India, Nigeria, Scotland, and Germany…I can’t think of them all. About 38% of students are international and from over 120 countries! The amount of diversity is such an eye opening experience. I get to learn from them first-hand about their countries and culture. If you are looking for British people, don’t be discouraged by that number. There are people from every corner of England. Every accent, every backstory, and every social and economic class is represented at Surrey. From London to non-descript villages that dot the country side, you are sure to meet someone from every part of the UK.
When you think about studying in England, think about what a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience life in Europe at this point of your life would be like and mean to you. It is the perfect time to move to a new place. The years that you spend here studying will give you the most amazing crash course in what it is like to live in England. I find it difficult to pin point where I will be in a few years because I feel as if I have so much to do here still. I have so much to explore and experience. I get to go home at least once a year (usually 3 times) and see my friends, go to the frat parties and house parties, and live life as an everyday American. I don’t think I really miss much at American college. The thing I miss the most is my cat.
When I speak to people from home, they always tell me how jealous they are about my experiences and want to hear about where I’ve been, what I’ve learnt, and what’s next for me. As my friends enter their junior year, they are starting to do more study abroad programs. The couple months they get to spend in Europe is such a taster for truly all the amazing things that are possible here. With my friends coming to England it means that I get to show them my English life. I am seeing so many of my friends it’s crazy. Don’t think that you will lose touch with them. It is all down to you about how much you stay in contact. Whenever I go home, it is like I never left. Washington will always have a most special place in my heart and I will always return as much as I can. However, during these special years I want to be able to try something new. I want to fit into a new culture while learning about my own American culture.
England and Europe is a magical place. I encourage you all to take the plunge. There’s not a chance you will regret it.
Holly
