7 things I expected of the UK that were an immediate letdown:
- We didn’t land in front of Big Ben. Like, I thought that my first sight of London would be similar to this photo:
- I didn’t see One Direction as soon as I stepped off of the plane. Taylor Swift was there though, so…
- The toilets do NOT flush in the opposite direction. Somebody lied to me. They save water and flush straight down.
- I thought that I would casually blend in as a native Londoner, but the first words out of my mouth were “THEY ARE DRIVING ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD!” #SpotTheTourist
- I thought I was going to Hogwarts.
- Wait, but seriously though, why wasn’t One Direction there to greet me?
- I thought I knew how to grocery shop. I don’t.
I literally just googled “shopping for beginners”.
All jokes aside, I am very much in the “honeymoon” phase of my study abroad experience. I literally walk down the streets, smiling to myself because I am so incredibly happy that I am finally here. Like the southern woman I am, as I make my way around town, I smile brightly (and annoyingly) at the faces of strangers and am usually greeted with a grimace. I often visit the Sky Lounge in our building and sip coffee and stare out the window, wondering what adventures I’ll have while I’m here. Three months here seems way too short and I’m sure I’ll be “gutted” (using a bit of British slang *brushes off shoulders*) when it is time for me to leave.
I am excited to start classes and sign up for the University of London Union, but I am not excited about having to re-figure out my budgeting plan since I ignored all plans I made while I was home upon hitting the London soil. Trying to set up a budget for a different currency is harder than I expected, especially since London is such an expensive city. I don’t want to think about how much I’ve spent on food in the 6 days I’ve been here.
I hope all is well wherever you are!
Becky