*Warning I experience emotions in this post*
I've been thinking about having to write this blog post for the past month. I've been trying to avoid it, but now with all my final essays done I'm running out of excuses. This is much harder to do than I ever imagined it would be. I'm at the end of my three month study abroad experience in England at the University of Exeter. A day that seemed so far off in the distance for so long is now here. Before I get too sappy or emotional, let me tell you about my week so far.
On Monday night was the rifle club Christmas dinner. Everyone got all dressed up and ate at fancy restraunt. Seeing as how most of my closest friends are in rifle club, it was great fun! The food was good and the people were better. At one point our club captain, Tom, made a speech and presented me, Madeleine, and Olina with a special rifle club patch (pictures below). We're all flatmates who joined rifle together and have become close friends with many of the other club members. The patch is only given to the best shooters in the club who compete at the BUCS level. Needless to say none us were skilled enough to warrant such a patch, but because we've become so planted in the club and have to leave so soon, Tom felt it was appropriate. Not going to lie, I teared up during his speech.
With the Christmas dinner behind me, it was all business from then on. I just now finished and turned in my last essay after pulling an all-nighter. The all-nighter wasn't techinically necessary as the essay is due on Thursday, but I didn't want to have any work hanging over my head during my last days in Exeter.
Now for the emotional stuff... The title of this blog post are lyrics from the Rob Thomas song "Little Wonders". I've found this song to be particularly meaningful when reflecting on my time spent abroad and I think you guys should give it a listen. You might recognize it from the wonderful family movie, Meet the Robinsons. I've been slowly packing as this song plays, which has given me sometime for reflection. Before I first set foot in England, I already had a preconceived notion of what it would be like. I knew the American stereotypes of our former rulers. The country was rainy and gloomy. The people were stiff, reserved, sarcastic, snide, and unwelcoming. I mentally prepared myself for this at the outset of my journey. Never have I been so wrong. I was welcomed with open arms by the kindest most incredible people I could have ever hoped to meet. Instead of cold and closed off, the people I met in rifle and basketball were welcoming beyond measure. I have been blessed to know them and experience a friendship with them that I hope will continue far beyond my time here. I was a temporarily transplanted American and they made England feel like home.
Phew, that was alot of emotional dumping, which I'm not really used to doing, but I want to convey my deep affection and love for the friends I've made during my time here. Months ago when I considered what it would be like to go home, I thought it would easier. I figured I would miss America, my family, and my friends so much that leaving wouldn't be too difficult. Don't get me wrong, I miss my family and friends back home dearly. I am so looking forward to Christmas at home with my family, but I'm not looking forward to saying good bye to my dear friends on Friday in order for that to happen. I am sorry for the emotional display that this post has been, I am just as surprised by it as all of you.
Now that all of thats out of way, I still have a few things to tell you about before I leave the country. On Friday I'm spending almost the entire day with my group of friends from rifle club as we try to spend as much time together as possible before we go our separate ways and leave for the holidays. We'll be visiting our favorite spots in Exeter one last time, which I'm really looking forward to doing. My bus to London leaves at 8:30 Saturday morning and gets into the coach station at about 1:00 in the afternoon where I will be met by my parents. They are flying out tomorrow for a week long European excursion with me! We will spend a little time in London, Paris, Normandy, and then Rome. I'm looking forward to getting to spend this time with my parents, as I've missed them greatly while I've been away.
I will probably make one more post when I'm settled and back in America, but this is my farewell to Exeter post. This experience has far exceeded my expectations. I hope that one day in the future I can come back to England and revisit the place that became a home away from home.
I've been thinking about having to write this blog post for the past month. I've been trying to avoid it, but now with all my final essays done I'm running out of excuses. This is much harder to do than I ever imagined it would be. I'm at the end of my three month study abroad experience in England at the University of Exeter. A day that seemed so far off in the distance for so long is now here. Before I get too sappy or emotional, let me tell you about my week so far.
On Monday night was the rifle club Christmas dinner. Everyone got all dressed up and ate at fancy restraunt. Seeing as how most of my closest friends are in rifle club, it was great fun! The food was good and the people were better. At one point our club captain, Tom, made a speech and presented me, Madeleine, and Olina with a special rifle club patch (pictures below). We're all flatmates who joined rifle together and have become close friends with many of the other club members. The patch is only given to the best shooters in the club who compete at the BUCS level. Needless to say none us were skilled enough to warrant such a patch, but because we've become so planted in the club and have to leave so soon, Tom felt it was appropriate. Not going to lie, I teared up during his speech.
With the Christmas dinner behind me, it was all business from then on. I just now finished and turned in my last essay after pulling an all-nighter. The all-nighter wasn't techinically necessary as the essay is due on Thursday, but I didn't want to have any work hanging over my head during my last days in Exeter.
Now for the emotional stuff... The title of this blog post are lyrics from the Rob Thomas song "Little Wonders". I've found this song to be particularly meaningful when reflecting on my time spent abroad and I think you guys should give it a listen. You might recognize it from the wonderful family movie, Meet the Robinsons. I've been slowly packing as this song plays, which has given me sometime for reflection. Before I first set foot in England, I already had a preconceived notion of what it would be like. I knew the American stereotypes of our former rulers. The country was rainy and gloomy. The people were stiff, reserved, sarcastic, snide, and unwelcoming. I mentally prepared myself for this at the outset of my journey. Never have I been so wrong. I was welcomed with open arms by the kindest most incredible people I could have ever hoped to meet. Instead of cold and closed off, the people I met in rifle and basketball were welcoming beyond measure. I have been blessed to know them and experience a friendship with them that I hope will continue far beyond my time here. I was a temporarily transplanted American and they made England feel like home.
Phew, that was alot of emotional dumping, which I'm not really used to doing, but I want to convey my deep affection and love for the friends I've made during my time here. Months ago when I considered what it would be like to go home, I thought it would easier. I figured I would miss America, my family, and my friends so much that leaving wouldn't be too difficult. Don't get me wrong, I miss my family and friends back home dearly. I am so looking forward to Christmas at home with my family, but I'm not looking forward to saying good bye to my dear friends on Friday in order for that to happen. I am sorry for the emotional display that this post has been, I am just as surprised by it as all of you.
Now that all of thats out of way, I still have a few things to tell you about before I leave the country. On Friday I'm spending almost the entire day with my group of friends from rifle club as we try to spend as much time together as possible before we go our separate ways and leave for the holidays. We'll be visiting our favorite spots in Exeter one last time, which I'm really looking forward to doing. My bus to London leaves at 8:30 Saturday morning and gets into the coach station at about 1:00 in the afternoon where I will be met by my parents. They are flying out tomorrow for a week long European excursion with me! We will spend a little time in London, Paris, Normandy, and then Rome. I'm looking forward to getting to spend this time with my parents, as I've missed them greatly while I've been away.
I will probably make one more post when I'm settled and back in America, but this is my farewell to Exeter post. This experience has far exceeded my expectations. I hope that one day in the future I can come back to England and revisit the place that became a home away from home.