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
), ridden on a tourist-y bus tour around the city and boat cruise down the River Thames, shopped at the British version of Walmart, laughed at an improv-style comedy club, drank cider and beer at pubs, and discovered a lot in general about London and how things work over here.
Paul is a good choice for an afternoon tea. Not all its shops are big. Most of its branch shops are tiny and only serve for take aways. 
