Finding My Groove

So I've been in London for almost two weeks and things are starting to fall into a bit of a rhythm. My first full week of classes started on Monday. The school system is so different here, it's taken some getting adjusted to. I have four classes, each once a week, but for long periods of time (it's been a lesson in focus and staying awake in class for me haha). However, the nice thing is that some days I don't have class at all, like today, so I just get to write and enjoy some free time.

Another key difference is that after working for my university for the summer, or "uni" as they call it here, I've seen how things can be done well. Being a Summer Welcome Leader for Mizzou might make me a little biased, but I now know what a thorough orientation looks like. What they give exchange students at Westminster is nothing like what I was expecting. I feel like I was almost blindly thrown into my first week of "uni" here. But you know what? It's made me stronger for it. I'm learning how to find my way on my own, with help when I choose to seek it out. And isn't that what studying abroad is all about? Finding your way without someone holding your hand. It can be challenging, but it's also an opportunity to grow, an opportunity I'm going to take full advantage of.

My Residence Hall Room

So, as I'm starting to get into the groove of things here I'm trying to make it feel more homey and less like some place I'm visiting for a few months, so I decorated my room. It's quite small, but nice. And my flat mates and friends make it a fun place to live. Occasionally we'll remember that we've only known each other a few short weeks and kind of laugh about it. It feels like we've been friends for ages.

Leicester Square-What a view! 

Speaking of them, they made sure my 22nd birthday was a day to remember. Before I came here I was feeling a bit sad knowing that I'd spend my birthday thousands of miles away from my family and best friends. My mom has always done a great job of making my sister and I feel special on our birthdays since we were kids, so I was going to miss that. But I didn't have any reason to worry. My friends decorated the flat with "Birthday Girl" banners and balloons, they bought me birthday cards, baked me a cake, and one of them even got me flowers. It was so sweet and thoughtful and made me feel so special. I can honestly say I don't think I've ever had friends or roommates do something that sweet for me.

So to continue the celebration, one of my friends called a club promoter that she knows and got us a VIP table at one of the coolest clubs I've ever been to. It was a beautiful view of the entire city! From where we were sitting we could see Leicester Square out one set of windows and the London Eye and Big Ben out of another. It was breathtaking! All night I kept thinking how amazing it is to be here in London and how lucky I am!

My VIP Birthday Party :)

And it's true, I am extremely fortunate. I don't know how, but I have been blessed enough to get to do some amazing things in my 22 years. And everywhere I've gone I've been further blessed with amazing friends to share those experiences with. I should have known London would be no different. So, until next time, I'll keep counting my blessings. And I hope you choose to do the same.

I'm Finally Here!

Enough #londonbound and London here I come! I'm here! Today is my fourth day at the University of Westminster-Harrow. Classes don't start until next Monday, so it's been nice to have time to transition to life here. Although, my new friends and flat mates have made it quite easy. Everyone here is so friendly and eager to meet new people. I've never been somewhere that is so open to an exchange of cultures. All my new friends are as eager to learn about American life as I am to learn about their life in England, Denmark, Germany, France, etc. I've already been promised a classic English fry-up in exchange for a Thanksgiving dinner! It's such a unique learning experience, and classes haven't even started yet.

The first couple of days I was here were spent trying to set up my room and get the essentials squared away. Today is the first day I've had time to simply explore. One of the other girls from Mizzou and I spent the day wandering around Westminster and the South Bank a bit. We saw the London Eye (inspiration for the title of this blog), Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St. James Park, the Horse Guards Parade, and Downing Street where the Prime Minister lives. Then tonight I went back into the city with another group of friends. We saw the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge and the London Bridge. London just lights up at night, it's so beautiful! I posted a few of my pictures, but check out my Facebook page in the following days for more.

I know I've only been here for a few days but I can't imagine a better start to this new adventure. So far London has been so good to me! I can't wait to see what else this wonderful experience will bring.

Big Ben

Horse Guards Parade

Westminster Abbey

Tower Bridge