Author Archives: Shelbie Howard

About Shelbie Howard

Although I am new employee at Penn State Greater Allegheny, I earned my baccalaureate degree in English from the Greater Allegheny campus in 2014. I then went on to earn my MLIS from the University of Pittsburgh. My career has been fulfilled with both public, academic library work, and I am excited to be back at Penn State. My title is Information Resources and Services Support Specialist, and I am based at the J Clarence Kelly Library. I became a librarian because I enjoy helping people find their potential through learning and education.

A Little Different Than in The States!


So it has been raining inconsistently for the last three days. Typical Great Britain weather, right? All of this rain has brought my morale down slightly, just because I do not want to travel and site-see due to the fact that I would be soaking wet and miserable. Also, this week is rather boring because I do not have classes because it is Induction Week for the Freshers (Freshmen). At the University of Chichester, the Freshers have orientation a week after the upperclassmen go back to classes. So while the rest of us are off, the Freshers are doing different activities on campus. Then, they will join the upperclassmen next week, and the classes will resume. I’m not sure how I feel about this since I have been bored out of my mind this week since there are no classes. My tutors had assigned homework for this week, which I have done some of it already. Honestly, I am not a big fan of this structure for the Freshers. I feel that it is a waste of my time, and if I had had classes this week, I would be home a week earlier. However, that is not the case. I will just have to muscle through it. Hopefully, once classes resume, time will go by a lot faster.

Last weekend, however, I did take a day trip to Portsmouth, England. We traveled to Gunwharf Quays, which is an outdoor/indoor mall. I did not know anyone who was going, but I was okay with that. I enjoyed walking around at my own leisure. However, I did make a new acquaintance on the bus on the way back to campus. She was also an exchange student, but from Finland. We were able to strike a conversation about the culture differences between our countries. We also decided that we would try to travel and site-see together throughout the term. I am looking forward to it!

Thus far, this week has been rather boring… However, my host family is taking me out to the local pool on Wednesday, and we are going bowling Thursday night. I am looking forward to getting out and doing something different. We had a lot of fun together, and it was really nice to get out and do something that the locals do. After several days of endless rain, the sun finally decided to show its face on Thursday. I made certain that I went outside because I needed some Vitamin D! I took the bus to the Uni, and then I walked about two miles to town. I could take the bus all the way into town, but I would much rather walk. It gives me some fresh air and a chance to explore the area at my own pace. I went into town again Friday afternoon while the sun was out. Unfortunately, while I was out, it rained. I was able to stay dry in one of the shops until a bus came to take me back to the cottage where I am staying. I truly enjoy being out and about with the locals, even if I am by myself. Some locals will strike up a conversation with me, which turns out to be very stimulating conversation because they usually tell me where they have traveled in the States. They also ask me if I am enjoying my stay. I have been really surprised at how friendly everyone has been.

I am looking forward to going back to classes this week. My classes, thus far, seem very interesting, and my tutors are very enthusiastic about teaching! There are a few trips that will take place as the semester progresses; I am definitely going to try to go to as many of them as possible!

 

Cheers!


Location: Bognor Regis, England, UK; Portsmouth, England

Quite a Culture Shock!


As I sit here writing this week’s blog entry, I realize that I have been in England for about ten days now, but it feels much longer! A lot has happened in the last week or so. Where do I begin? Well, the girls and I went to London from Thursday to Saturday. First, we had to take a bus to the train station, and then we had to take a train to London. I had never been on a train before so that was a new experience for me. I really enjoyed riding the train; it was exciting because it was a new way of travel for me. During our time in London, we stayed at the Hyde Park Hostel, which was an experience in itself! None of us had stayed in a hostel before so it was a new experience for all of us. Luckily, we were able to get a four-bed room. We felt safer since it was just us. While we were in London, we saw many attractions including Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, and Big Ben. While we wondered around lost for a while, we came across an area called SOHO where the young generation hangs out.  We also ended up in Chinatown! The weather was beautiful throughout our stay, which I was glad for because we were able to travel by foot to site-see. It is a heck of a lot cheaper than taking public transportation. I think it was actually better because we were able to see things up close that we never would have been able to see if we were on a bus. We also took the Underground while we explored London. That was another first for me, as well!

The following Monday was orientation for the new students. During that time, we were able to get our bus passes and timetables (class schedule). We sat through a two-hour information session, had lunch, and then had a three-hour mathematics lecture. The modules in England are a completely different dynamic than in the United States. For example, I have my Maths course for three hours, just on Mondays and my Citizenship course for three hours, just on Wednesdays. The other class I am taking is called Professional Studies, and I have that module on Tuesdays for three hours and Thursdays for six hours! Luckily, we relocate to different classrooms throughout the session, so time goes by quicker. The other two classes that I am taking do not begin until after mid-term. Those modules will be one day a week each at an all day session, as well. Currently, I do not have lectures on Wednesdays and Fridays, but once the other courses begin, I will have lecture on Wednesdays. Luckily, I will have Fridays off all term–I’m pretty excited about that! Another major difference is that the freshmen (which they call them “freshers”) have induction week this coming week, so the upperclassmen do not have lectures. So after going to lectures for a week, I get the next ten days off. However, I do have homework to keep me busy.

Another major difference I noticed in the United Kingdom is that, in some public places, you have to pay to us the restroom. I could not believe it! For example, when we got to the train station in London, we all needed to go to the restroom. Well, after we saw that we had to pay for it, we realized that we didn’t have to go that badly. However, in a restaurant, you do not have to pay. That was definitely new to me. I found it rather interesting though. In the States, you would never think of having to pay to use the restroom, so we did not even imagine we would have to in the United Kingdom.

Since I have been in classes, I have met some new people, which is a lot of fun. Everyone seems really nice and friendly here thus far.  They seem very helpful, as well. Any questions we may have had, someone just answers it with a smile on their face. That made us feel better when traveling around the area. The girls and I have been invited to a few gatherings since meeting these new classmates. I’m glad for that because we can meet more people that way. It is funny how they seem very interested in America and the culture, just like we are interested in theirs.

This Saturday (tomorrow), I am taking a day trip to Portsmouth, England. I am looking forward to seeing a new area of England! The trip is under the Uni, so I will be with peers of mine. It should be a lot of fun! There is also a gathering tonight at the school that I may attend.

My host family is really nice and friendly. I’m blessed to have them. My host mum cooks me dinner every night, and I have not had anything that I did not like. I am trying new things like cauliflower. The food here is basically the same as in the States except the taste is just a little bit different. They have some different dishes that are not familiar in the States, as well. I have been keeping an open mind about all the food that is presented in front of me. Every family member has his/her own contribution to the family, which is really nice to see. We also sit down together and eat dinner together. It is very nice because it feels like I am part of a family, even though I have thousands of miles away from my own family.

Well, I better get back to some schoolwork so I can enjoy a little bit of my time off!

Until next time…

Cheers!


Location: Bognor Regis, England, UK, London, England, UK

Week 1


So I am finally settled into Bognor Regis, United Kingdom. But it has been a journey within itself.

 

First, my mother and I had to drive to Philadelphia, PA, USA, for me to catch my flight to London, UK. We left Sunday morning and made it to Philadelphia by mid-afternoon. I’m pretty sure that was the longest car ride I’ve ever been on just because the anticipation was killing me. I was excited, nervous, scared, and calm all at the same time. It was an interesting sensation, to say the least.

 

Once my mother and I got to Philly, we checked in my luggage and had something to eat at the airport. I’m surprised I was able to eat due to my nerves running throughout my body. So we ate and got last minute things together. Then, finally, my mom had to leave me to go back to Pittsburgh. I was upset when she first left, but then, I felt confident that I could complete this journey successfully, and by myself, I might add.

 

So I am left in the Philadelphia International Airport with five hours to kill. I sat and read for most of it. I also people watched. It was fascinating to see the different kinds of people that were traveling out of the States.

 

Once I made my way through security and to my Gate, everything was smooth sailing. I found my seat on the plane, got situated, and waited for takeoff. I was still rather calm throughout this experience. I was actually surprised at myself because I thought I was going to be a basket case! The flight took off, and we made our way to Heathrow Airport. Once we arrived at the airport, I made my way through Customs and then to the baggage reclaim. I found my taxi driver waiting for me, and we made our way to Bognor Regis.

 

I arrived at the University of Chichester, and everyone welcomed me with open arms. I found comfort in that. Then, we made our way throughout the school to see where I would have classes and whatnot. Then, the girls and I explored the town. I bought a mobile phone and some post cards. We then decided that we would try to go to London, England for the weekend since lessons do not begin until Tuesday. I’m really looking forward to it!

 

After we explored the town, we made our way back to the school where I met my host family. They took me back to their house and we had dinner. We ate the famous fish and chips. After dinner, we hopped into their hot tub and relaxed. It felt wonderful to be able to just sit and relax after the last two days. After we hung out for a while, I made my way to my bedroom and began unpacking.

 

I was surprised at how well I slept the first night here. I guess I was just so tired from my journey that it knocked me out. And I was grateful for that because I needed my rest. I still have a few days in this first week, but I will not be near a computer since the girls and I are going to London.

 

Cheers!


Location: Bognor Regis, England, UK

The Adventure of a Lifetime!


          From the moment I found out that I would be studying abroad this fall, I began putting aside the items that I was planning on taking with me. I have been going through a sea of emotions throughout this process, as well. To an innocent bystander, buying and stocking items for a trip and their own emotions may never see the connection of the two. But, to me, they coincide. With each new item I purchase, I experience a new emotion. I am excited, but nervous. Liberated and apprehensive. Scared yet hopeful of the journey ahead of me.

            I know this experience is going to push me to try new things. It’s going to make me look at things in a different light, and it will probably give me the travel bug! This new chapter in my life will stretch me, take me out of my comfort zone, and mold me into a better me. I will learn how to adapt to a new culture and traditions in England. Studying in England will also push me to strive academically. So my goal is to embrace all of it!

            I want to return to the States as a new profound me. While studying abroad, I also plan on travelling as much as possible in England and in the surrounding countries; I will be the stereotypical “tourist” who takes pictures of absolutely everything I see and experience! This kind of opportunity does not come around that often, I understand, so I plan to make the most out of it since I will only be there for a limited time. Not only will this be my first time out of the country, but also it will be my first flight EVER! I have also not been on a train. Little things like that make this upcoming adventure more exciting for me because I will experience many firsts. This blog will be used to keep track of my travels around Europe.

            I plan on using this blog to help me sort out my feelings and to reflect on myself as an individual and this incredible experience. I want this blog to invite readers and make them feel connected with me while I’m on this adventure. I don’t know what this experience will hold for me, but I’m going to embrace the unknown. This blog will be filled with not only my new experiences, but how I feel while doing it. I am looking forward to sharing my journey with all of my readers! So stay tuned for the life of Shelbie McCurdy in Great Britain!


Location: Elizabeth, PA, USA