A Tale of Two Countries

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

This is one of the most iconic opening lines in literature. Charles Dickens opens his famous novel, A Tale of Two Cities, with this quote. The novel compares two contrasting cities, London and Paris, during the dreadful time of the French Revolution. Readers worldwide have connected with this story and used this quote to describe situations that are made up of both good and bad aspects. 

Instead of comparing two cities, I will compare two different countries: the United States and England. These two countries have many similarities, the most obvious one being that they speak the same language. Other similarities I have noticed is in body language, having a monochronic schedule, and most notably, their love for American music (particularly Lady Gaga!). At every restaurant and pub I have been to so far, at least one or more Lady Gaga songs will play while I’m sitting there!

Despite these numerous similarities, many differences also come into play. While I was leaving Heathrow Airport I immediately got my first look at the city. This was automatically paired with my realization of the opposite flow of traffic. I knew beforehand that countries in Europe drove on the left side of the road, but it is completely different when you experience it in front of you. Since I have gotten here, I have ridden the bus almost every day. Mixing the opposite flow of traffic with fast-paced city driving was an initial shock. However, I am now more comfortable and confident when taking public transportation into the city. 

Being a study abroad student puts me in the weird in-between phase of being a typical “tourist” and being a “Londoner.” Right now, I am leaning more toward the tourist side of the spectrum. I’m still learning the layout of the city and how to get from one place to another. Luckily, there is this amazing app called CityMapper. It’s similar to Google Maps, but it tells me the exact bus or tube route to take so I don’t accidentally take the wrong one. It has been a lifesaver this first week! 

Another “tourist” moment I had was at a restaurant. I was with a group of friends, and we were waiting to get our check and leave. Our first mistake was that we assumed that our waiter would come up to our table and hand us our check. We waited and waited as our waiter walked past our table multiple times without stopping to ask us if we were ready for the check. We were trying not to be impatient, rude Americans by flagging him down, but we learned quickly that that is actually what is expected over here. Waiters don’t just come up to the dinner table multiple times to check on the food because they view it here as rude to interrupt dinner conversation, whereas in America that is normal and viewed as polite customer service. Lesson learned. 

Every experience is not one-dimensional. Instead, it is a two-sided coin. One side of the coin consists of the joys, beautiful moments, and happy memories from the experience, while the other side consists of the trials, hardships, and sadness from the experience. Both sides are still a part of the same coin and are essential to growing from an experience. 

This two-sided coin model best describes my initial week while abroad. Going abroad consists of an array of emotions that are nearly impossible to describe unless you have experienced it firsthand. Every day feels like the greatest day ever mixed with feelings of loneliness and confusion. Every morning, I wake up and pinch myself because I am still processing the fact that I am living in a different country! Some of the friends I have met here are also American study abroad students. We have created a unique bond because we are all in the exact same boat. We are going through similar joys and trials at the same time. One of my biggest fears coming into this experience was trying to find friends and meet people. These friendships have helped me adjust tremendously going into this first week because a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. 

The hardest part so far is when I am in my room alone. I am no longer surrounded by the exciting scenes around me or friends to laugh and talk with. This is when the voice in my head begins to question or doubt everything. I ask myself “What am I doing here?”, “Am I making a horrible life decision?”, or “Am I capable enough to live in a different country?” These questions also mix with feelings of loneliness or FOMO (fear of missing out) on things back home. What I have been doing to get myself out of that slump is I find ways to distract myself. I will either write in my journal, read a book, or even watch a TV show to feel more comfortable and back in the right mindset. 

The most important thing I do is pray. I have been keeping a prayer and gratitude journal. I write down my prayers every day and three things I am grateful for. It helps me put my life into perspective. Even though difficult things may come into my path while I’m here, I still have so much to be thankful for. Pain and hardships are only temporary in this lifetime. Even when I feel uncomfortable or sad at times here, I force myself to go and talk to others and see some magnificent sights. It almost always makes me feel better and makes me appreciate studying over here. God’s creation is amazing. It has been incredible to see some beautiful parks and stunning architecture so far in London. I cannot wait to see what other awe-inspiring views this country has to offer!

Highlights of my first week in London:

• Walked around Oxford and Baker Street
• Walked around Westminster
• River Thames boat tour
• Visited the Tower of London and Natural History Museum
• Walked around Kensington
• Started classes at the University of Roehampton

 

Till we meet again,

Alison Foxen