My first question when I arrived in London was: Where am I going to get my hair cut? I usually go to my local barbershop in Brooklyn, so as someone new to the neighborhood, I had to ask around before I found a barber I could frequent. Thankfully, London is a diverse city that offers … Continue reading How to take Care of Afro Hair in London – Jahmir Duran
Tag: students of color
Goodbye London, Or: It’s a New Beginning
Four months ago, when I just arrived in London, I was shy, scared to make friends with others, and also anxious about whether I would enjoy my time here. I remember clearly that I wouldn’t even go out of my room as my social anxiety hindered me from meeting with other people. Now, as my … Continue reading Goodbye London, Or: It’s a New Beginning
Strengthening my Queer Identities in London – Unique Xue
It can be quite hard to study abroad if you identify as a queer person, because not all countries are open towards queer and trans people. However, London is an amazing city where different kinds of gender expressions and sexual orientations are accepted by the majority of Londoners. As a result, my queer identities have … Continue reading Strengthening my Queer Identities in London – Unique Xue
Living with Social Anxiety Abroad
I always knew that I was an introverted person, but I did not know that I have social anxiety until the second year of college. I realized that had felt stressed and anxious in almost all social settings: from a theater rehearsal room, a Friday night party, or the cafeteria resounded with American small talks, … Continue reading Living with Social Anxiety Abroad
Discussing Race and Identity – Rachel Godfrey
In my experience, I have experienced similar difficulties with microaggressions, also known as “casual racism” in London, Like the United States, the UK has its own set of racial tensions that inhabit college campuses and the greater London community. In the conversations that I have had with other students of color, similar sentiments about the development of … Continue reading Discussing Race and Identity – Rachel Godfrey
Coming Out: The Abroad Edition – Rachel Godfrey
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
Embracing Discomfort: Studying the Arts in London as an East Asian – Unique Wenxuan Xue
“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