Thank you, Todd, for arranging this picture. I know it’s a few days old, but I think it exemplifies the dynamic of the group. I was worried coming on this trip that people would be really clicky, or at the very least there would be one or two people who just ended up by themselves every night. Being a bit shy, this is always one of my personal fears when going on a trip with people I don’t know (though I do realize the oddness of my remarking on this when that wasn’t a worry for me since I came with one of my best friends). This has not been the case at all. People take day trips with people they didn’t hang out with earlier that day and I feel confident that, no matter who I end up in a group with at any given place, nobody will be left out of the conversation. I think it’s a great group, and I am so happy to have spent my first time abroad with you guys. Thank you!
I agree! This group has been so great! I have talked about it with a couple people along the way about how we all get along so well. It’s like we’ve known each other for years. It’s crazy to think that we all didn’t really talk to each other outside class, or in class for that matter (except while sketching each other’s faces). I think it says a lot about traveling and about the School of Architecture at OSU. I have been so surprised how easily I have bonded with people over the past year in my classes and it’s carrying on to this trip. I also think that since this is the first time for a lot of us traveling abroad, including me, we are bonding because we depend on each other for the support system. It’s great to know that if I’m with a small group at least one person will have a good idea of how to get to the tube stop or which directions to take because that makes me feel more confident getting around. So, thanks everyone for making this a great trip so far, and let’s keep it up! 🙂
Ashley Hofmaster
Your welcome! And I couldn’t agree more about the group being awesome. I feel like I have know most of the people on this trip for a really long time, even though it really has only been a week. The “Dream Team” is what a group of us that have hung out a lot together call ourselves! I know it is ridiculous but I have had so much fun with that group of people. Before we departed for this trip I really did not know anyone. I talked to John and Allison a little during class, but really did not know anyone else. When we get back I feel like class is going to be so much different! Aimee is going to have a tough time getting us to be quiet. I do not have any other classes with my new friends, so I will really want to talk a lot when I do see them twice a week!
I know it’s crazy how close we’ve gone in a short amount of time. Even on the second day I felt like we knew each other’s life stories. I think the best part of everyone blending really well with each other is that whenever we would be walking in groups I always felt like stopping to take picture kept my placement in the group mixed up and being able to relate and joke around with whomever is around me. But to comment on Todd saying that Aimee will have a hard time keeping us quite in class is definitely true. I feel like I can reminisce about anything from the trip with my new friends and we could laugh for hours.