For my STEP signature project, I traveled to London to participate in Ohio State’s Literature and Culture of London program. Over the course of the month of May, we studied children’s literature in the city where the genre first originated. We primarily stayed in London but spent one weekend in the Lake District and took a day trip to Oxford. Each day brought new experiences, especially those excursions we got to participate in as a group, with numerous visits to various museums and unique experiences like visiting a local primary school and children’s bookstore.
Upon surface level observation, London looked similar to how I imagined it to look. I did not expect such a distinct mix of old and new buildings but in general, it felt to be a big metropolitan area—an environment I am used to being in. What I was not expecting, however, was such a severe transformation within myself and how I felt during my time abroad and even after. In the weeks after I returned home, I tried to fully reflect on what it was about my experience that made it so enjoyable. Upon contemplation, I have decided that over the course of the month I was in a state of being that was truly present, the most consistently present I have ever been over a prolonged period of time. When you travel to a new country and experience a new culture, you forget to dwell on the past or the future because you are so fully engaged in the present moment, the liveliness swelling around you. This is the biggest takeaway I managed to capture from my trip. Though I am no longer exploring the magnificent and enthralling United Kingdom, I can remember my trip fondly and exercise my newfound ability, however difficult it may be at times, to return to the present moment, the life around me.
One of the best aspects of my study abroad experience was getting to experience it with the individuals in my program. Before leaving for London, I was a bit skeptical of how small the number of students in our program was, as it was only nine, including myself. After having experienced my month abroad with those other eight people, I am so grateful for my small group. Not only did I meet eight new exceptional people, but I got to develop relationships with my peers that I am sure will last for a long time. Traveling to a new country with people you have just met is quite the unique way to go from strangers to best friends very quickly. Seeing new sights in tandem immediately brings you close to others and then those people become the ones you rely on to relive unique memories after you have returned.
One experience that significantly impacted my life was traveling to Brussels, Belgium on the weekend after our third full week in London with three other friends in my program. Before traveling to London, I did not have this trip planned, it was simply a trip that I “tagged along” for, after one of my peers had already made the plans to travel there on his own and offered for a group of us to join him. Upon reflecting back, I am extremely grateful I got to experience this country with my new friends. Not only was it beautiful and intriguing to visit “the continent,” but the trip taught me so much about myself even though it only lasted three days. I did not know quite what to expect upon arriving—I knew that I was visiting a country that does not speak English as its primary language, but I did not know how greatly this would affect me. The first thing that happened once I arrived in Brussels after exiting the train station was being approached by a woman my own age frantically asking me for directions in French. I was immediately overwhelmed, even if I knew where to tell this woman to go, which I did not, I could not understand her. I became frustrated with not being able to understand French or Dutch and even felt guilty for not being able to speak the languages when most people living there knew English. Ordering my food at dinner on the first night was particularly daunting, as I was nervous to even speak up to the waiter. Strangely, once I overcame this, I felt changed. It was the simplest task, but I achieved it when I was the most anxious. The courage and then newfound confidence I experienced contributed greatly to the transformation within myself that I transpired.
While being in London, I was able to take in the new city with profound mindfulness. Riding the tube, London’s underground transit system, was one of my favorite activities—by the end of my program I felt entirely confident in navigating the sometimes complicated routes. During the last week in our program I was able to travel by tube by myself to my most beloved park in London, Regent’s park. Here, I blissfully ate my favorite kind of sandwich and read. This subtle but empowering experience was something so important for me, something that in retrospect, I am grateful for. Getting to feel confident on my own in my new favorite city was an experience I will treasure, another that contributed to my overall feelings of transformation.
Whenever I need to, I can now always call upon my “ocean-away buffer” (as I like to call it). This ocean away buffer encompasses the present state of mind I experienced whilst abroad that reminds me not to dwell on the past or obsess over a possible future—to stop and look blissfully at my surroundings while allowing myself to be hopeful for the future. While in London, I knew that nothing could make me feel smaller than the size that I felt walking around a new city on a new continent, hence, my buffer. I am certain this new perspective I have gained will be quite useful in not only my personal endeavors but my potential academic and career endeavors as well.
Day trip to Oxford.
On the glass floor of London’s Tower Bridge.
Tower of London.