Reflections
So now that you are all caught up on what has been happening in the last 2.5 years behind the scenes time to catch up on the last 72hrs.
I got on a plane from Atlanta with a direct flight to London Heathrow. This came after spending the afternoon with the boy and watching his band play in one of the biggest shows they have ever had. It served as a good last memory. The flight was relatively unmemorable, food was okay and I only got air sickness once (though the mix of alcohol, turkey leg, corn dog & chicken with a spicy red sauce may have been the true culprit). After landing, quickly retrieving my bags (only packed 2, very proud of that) and making it through customs without a hitch I caught my bus to Leicester City. One 2 hour bus ride and 10 minute taxi ride later and I checked into my dorm.
Since I am an international grad student they have to offer me campus housing. I didn't get my first preference which would have been a full apartment but I did receive my second. I have an en suite, pretty much a tiny little bedroom with a bathroom and shared kitchen. There are 5 of us total that share the kitchen though I have only met 2.
Induction (Orientation) started today, so as you can see I pushed my total abandonment of life in the A for as long as I could. After picking up my student ID, visa, biometric permit, making an appointment to open a bank account and doing some light grocery shopping I'd say I'm pretty worn out.
I can tell that my body hasn't fully adjusted to the time yet, I was tired this morning when I woke up. The UK is 5 hours ahead of the East Coast so being awake at 9am really meant my body was awake at 3am.
Induction meant meeting fellow students and course leaders. As I suspected the majority of the students are Asian. When researching the UK it seems that is the case in every university. As of today's count there are 18 of us, but I suspect that a few more will be joining us as the week progresses.
First thoughts:
Alas time to go down and meet the freshman (let's see if I can blend in)
Until next post...laters
I got on a plane from Atlanta with a direct flight to London Heathrow. This came after spending the afternoon with the boy and watching his band play in one of the biggest shows they have ever had. It served as a good last memory. The flight was relatively unmemorable, food was okay and I only got air sickness once (though the mix of alcohol, turkey leg, corn dog & chicken with a spicy red sauce may have been the true culprit). After landing, quickly retrieving my bags (only packed 2, very proud of that) and making it through customs without a hitch I caught my bus to Leicester City. One 2 hour bus ride and 10 minute taxi ride later and I checked into my dorm.
Since I am an international grad student they have to offer me campus housing. I didn't get my first preference which would have been a full apartment but I did receive my second. I have an en suite, pretty much a tiny little bedroom with a bathroom and shared kitchen. There are 5 of us total that share the kitchen though I have only met 2.
Induction (Orientation) started today, so as you can see I pushed my total abandonment of life in the A for as long as I could. After picking up my student ID, visa, biometric permit, making an appointment to open a bank account and doing some light grocery shopping I'd say I'm pretty worn out.
I can tell that my body hasn't fully adjusted to the time yet, I was tired this morning when I woke up. The UK is 5 hours ahead of the East Coast so being awake at 9am really meant my body was awake at 3am.
Induction meant meeting fellow students and course leaders. As I suspected the majority of the students are Asian. When researching the UK it seems that is the case in every university. As of today's count there are 18 of us, but I suspect that a few more will be joining us as the week progresses.
First thoughts:
- Campus is beautiful
- Things aren't as walkable as they seem on the map, if walking is going to be my main transport...need better shoes
- Diverse population over all
- It really does rain just about every day
- The weather isn't so bad
- Looking forward to the next day
Alas time to go down and meet the freshman (let's see if I can blend in)
Until next post...laters
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