What to say, what to say. Well, it's pretty crazy to think that you can be in London, across the ocean, one day, and then back at home in your bed only a matter of hours later! And here I am, back in Clovis, typing my final London blog post! It's been really fun for me to share my experiences with everyone who has been interested in keeping up with them through this blog. If I don't write down something, I won't remember it, so I'm really happy I'll always have this blog, in conjunction with the separate travel journal I kept as well, to remember my London adventures by.
If reading this blog hasn't already given you this impression, I loved every bit of my time abroad in London and Europe. Even the stressful, precarious, not so fun times, I can look back on with some form of nostalgia. London was truly a dream come true for me. From learning more about British history, culture, politics, literature, to having the opportunity to experience all that London, England, and parts of Europe had to offer, like fantastic theatre, food, museums, art, music, and people, to meeting so many wonderful new friends and instructors who have all significantly touched my life, to just experiencing a different way of life, London has been such an eye-opening experience. I realize that this previous sentence was pretty much a run-on sentence, but work with me. Even little things, like taking the Tube to school, and being able to walk ten minutes from school to Covent Garden, I will miss.
I can't put into words how much I miss London. Minus my house and Portland, I have never felt so comfortable or at home anywhere before. I remember feeling so overwhelmed the first few days of classes in London, when the Tube was still bewildering and I had no idea where anything was or how to find my way around, but all of that melted away so quickly. London really is the perfect place to be, in so many ways, for me. All the history, culture, people...it's so perfect.
I had so many apprehensions about money when I was in London, but the longer I was there, the more I realized that I would only have this experience once, and so I shouldn't feel guilty if I wanted to go see a play again, or go out for dinner one night, or something that I absolutely did not have to spend money on. I've always been a frugal person, but I think London has taught me that while it's important to be mindful of how you spend your money, you shouldn't pass up an awesome experience just because you want to save a bit of money.
London also gave me an opportunity to be more independent. Not that I was completely helpless before I came to London, but being 6,000 miles away from family and friends sort of forced me at first to make big decisions on my own, like travel plans and how I would spend my time in London. Of course, I still do rely on my parents, like any college student who is not financially independent, but now I feel more, dare I say it, adult-like!
But above all, I think I have become a more confident, assured, well-rounded individual, thanks to my time in London. I really believe travel is such a vital experience that everyone should take part in if they can. It really changes your perspective on life, people in general, and even yourself. I have fewer apprehensions about people I don't know and I have more confidence in my ability to handle stressful and uncontrollable situations.
Of course, it's great to be home! I really missed my family and friends. It's so much more convenient to be in the same time zone as people! And I really missed Mexican food, unlimited Spotify access, the ability to download music, TV, good homemade food, my dog, and my soft cozy bed. I really can't convey how much I owe to my loving parents who made it possible for me to go to London. They want the best for me and will do anything to ensure that I have the best experiences possible, and I couldn't have done all that I did without their loving and unconditional support.
Even though now I have to face the "real world" once more, there is still so much to look forward to! I am so excited to spend Christmas with my family and friends. Then, returning to Portland for school will be a joyful reunion with my old friends from UP, as well as the new ones I made in London! I am so excited to live off-campus in my lovely house with my fantastic friends and my classes should be interesting as a whole. It will be good to return to The Beacon again, and I just found out I got selected to go with The Beacon's delegation to the national College Media Convention in New York City in March!! And in less than two months, I will be 21! So many good things to look forward to in the future. My hope is that before too long, London will be a part of my future too :)
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