My time in the UK hasn't been too hard this far. I can definitely see how it could be a really challenging time though. This is the first time in my life where I've been put in a situation with no one I know and nothing remotely familiar. At first just getting a pillow and finding food was a challenge. Luckily, I made a group of international friends immediately and have had them as a strong backbone to rely on. Also, I've joined the mountaineering society (climbing club) and have had a wonderful time getting to know people here and see the surrounding area. We go out climbing every weekend and I've been climbing indoors about every day! If I didn't have a good group of friends and something to keep me busy, I'm sure it would be a lot more challenging.
It's been hard to get used to the culture, I'm continually getting made fun of by my climbing friends (jokingly), and uni here is structured completely differently. I feel like I'm learning how to do the college thing all over again. At first I was really shy around people, but I'm opening up now and getting more and more used to the accents. But being away also has made me realize what I appreciate most in my life. I think that's why I miss camp, montana, friends, and family. It's a good missing though, nothing I can't handle : ) I wouldn't be the same person without them, and I'm starting to to know who that person really is. I've also realized that there's no one way to live; any path I choose will be enjoyable if I make it so. It's odd to think that I will be here for a longer amount of time than I've been consistently at any other university thus far, but I wouldn't change my circumstance in a million years. This has been one of the best things I could do for myself at this point in life, if you ever get the change to travel, take it with open arms.
Currently, I have two papers due in two weeks, an exam next friday, a group presentation the friday after that, and a lab due on that friday as well. I'm starting to stress out a little bit, haha. But these things aren't worth turning into a worry wort about. I don't want to look back on my life and say I worked too much. I would rather look back and say I played too much : )I got 100% on my first genetic lab too!!
Last weekend I didn't do anything too exciting because it was raining quite a bit. On thursday I did manage to get out climbing at Anklezarke again. I climbed my first real trad route, a VS 4c. I told Gaz that if I ever came back I would lead it, so I did, haha. It was a good experience and made me even more excited for climbing. I am starting to get man hands from climbing though, I'm sad to say. I don't even like the feeling of them anymore, so I doubt any guy would, haha.
Well I've been skyping friends and family on a regular basis, and I'm staying happy and healthy. That's what's important!
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