Last autumn, I almost decided against studying abroad in London; I thought it was too expensive, I wouldn’t be able to work, I didn’t want to leave my boyfriend and friends, I wasn’t sure if it would affect my track to graduation. Quite simply, I was scared. Then my boyfriend asked me the most perfect … Continue reading Can I do solo travel if I have anxiety? – Deryn Susman
I have always felt uncomfortable about the phrase “coming out” because of the inherent implication about there being a “normal” or “standard” sexuality, while others are regarded as “other” or “strange.” This past summer, I had to wrestle with this concept. I spent a lot of time thinking about my own sexuality. After many conversations … Continue reading Coming Out: The Abroad Edition – Rachel Godfrey
“There will never be a place where I can fully belong.” This is what I wrote down on Facebook, right before the plane took off to London, the city where I would stay for the next six months. All kinds of anxieties started to upsurge into my body, and one of them is the fear … Continue reading Embracing Discomfort: Studying the Arts in London as an East Asian – Unique Wenxuan Xue
I would usually write a post about how I’m getting on with lectures and workload at this point in the semester. However, I, like everyone else I know, have been completed distracted by the snow. To be blatantly honest, I’m not sure why I chose now to write about the snow; it was snowing for … Continue reading Snow Day – Shola Lee
When I moved to London in 2014, I was alone with a suitcase and a duvet. By the time I reached the end of the summer term, I was still alone with a suitcase and a duvet. This wasn’t because I hadn’t made any friends, it was because they’d all gleefully abandoned me to travel … Continue reading Summer in the City – Chloe Ratcliffe
Contrary to the title of this post, I won’t try to get into an extensive political discussion about the UK’s decision to leave EU. Rather, I want to address something which has become more apparent as my time abroad has progressed. When one moves to a different country, especially to a university with many other … Continue reading BREXIT – Kyran Penny
Friday, 16th February 2018 Chinese New Year Celebrations Today marks the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year and as per tradition, it is a day to be spent with family and friends. After our simple reunion dinner (picture below) and 守岁 (shou sui: staying up late to increase longevity of our parents) the … Continue reading Chinese New Year Celebrations – Annabel Shi Min Pang
And just like that, first semester was gone. Four amazing months with amazing people in amazing places. I remember the first time I woke up in Sweden thinking to myself ‘what on earth have you gotten yourself into?’ I didn’t know anybody, I didn’t (and still don’t) speak the language and I certainly didn’t feel … Continue reading Semester Two – Kyran Penny
Studying in a foreign environment, as exciting as it is, can be a little daunting. For students who identify as members of marginalized groups, transitioning can be even more difficult. As I was preparing to study abroad, I remember hearing that only 5% of Black students travelled abroad, and I found this statistic to be … Continue reading Being Black and Muslim in London – Rachel Godfrey
What is the experience of being queer abroad like? It’s about understanding the nuances of your sexual identity and finding a community for yourself. This is what I learned from my friend Julianna, a junior from Wesleyan University studying at Queen Mary, University of London. In the busy coffee shop on Queen Mary’s campus we … Continue reading What’s It Like Being Queer in London? – Tessa Reading
The island, to many, is split into three parts: uptown, midtown, and downtown. This isn’t a geographical separation, there aren’t strict borders and the only sign of change between each place is the decreasing numbers on the subway down to South Ferry. However, there is a separation in the atmosphere, one which becomes heightened during … Continue reading The Holidays in Manhattan – Shola Lee
"I have lived and studied abroad almost my entire life, yet going to Hong Kong was a new adventure for me" When I left London to start my exchange semester in Hong Kong I had no idea that it would so quickly become my favourite place in the world, nor that it would be so … Continue reading A semester abroad from studies abroad – Natasha Peters
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