I can't help but laugh at the idea of how nervous I was before the trip.
Honestly, it didn’t seem real that I was going to England- even up until the point that I boarded the nonstop Delta flight. (Digression: You have to take into consideration that I've never really traveled outside of the country before. The last (and only) time I did so was when I was nine years old, and my parents took me to visit the Philippines.)
The week of the group flight, I constantly got questioned by friends and family about whether or not I was excited or ready for the trip. To be honest, the reality of me finally going abroad didn't sink in until the plane finally took off, and I watched the last of Georgia splayed in dotted cities lights beneath me. While the lights became increasingly smaller specks and eventually disappeared, I thought about all the people down below.
For a moment, I felt so small. Here I was- this shy Georgia-born-and-raised girl 'on her own.' Though I took the group flight, it was still a different experience traveling without the people I was used to being around all the time- like my family, and my closest friends. My stomach was in knots when the pilot announced we had arrived at the London-Heathrow airport. However, despite the initial feeling of being out of sorts when I first arrived, those unsettling feelings disappeared once I saw Oxford.
I nev
er believed in love at first sight until now.I think that Oxford is an absolutely amazing city. Rustic elegance seeped with history- anywhere you turn you can't help but be amazed at your surroundings. Most of the pictures I took when I first arrived were of the the buildings. The architecture is so impressive, but the best scene that I've experienced thus far is standing on top of St. Mary's church and seeing the city from up above. Talk about taking my breath away...
It's already been a week and a half since I've been at Oxford, and there's still so much to soak in. Ever since day one of arriving here, I've been challenged- intellectually and emotionally. The first couple of days were a little rough. Being jet-lagged and homesick are never a good combination, but after becoming acquainted with the campus and the people, I'm appreciating the experience a lot more.
It's amazing how much you can learn in such a short amount of time, but then again- I suppose if you're displaced out of your comfort zone, it forces you to figure out where you stand.
Cheers.
8 comments:
May, your post moved me in many ways. As someone who lives permanently in-between cultures and places (I'm originally from Venezuela, teach at UGA and the locus of my research is in Venezuela), I know how deep and insightful your journey can be. There's tremendous joy and some pain in these experiences. The most important thing is that you and all our Grady at Oxford students are living through an experience that is extremely productive and that will allow you to understand better not only Oxford, the UK, and the effects of mass communication, but also yourselves as US citizens in the world.
I completely teared up when you said you felt so small. I understand exactly how you feel. (A little credit can go to the fact I'm only 5'!) Very moving and inspiring.
I understand the nervousness you felt before coming. I was excited but then I was also worried about traveling out of the country and living here for 6 weeks. But the experience has been amazing so far and I've met some wonderful people. I'm so glad I decided to study here.
I think I had the opposite effect of traveling here. I was so excited when I got into the program. I think the Oxford program is by far the best UGA has to offer. However, the night before we left I got really nervous. I think I was just excited. I'm glad you like Oxford. I haven't really had a chance to see the city because I'm either writing papers or traveling on the weekends. I'm saving Oxford for my last two weeks though.
I totally felt the same way! For me, going to Georgia was a huge step, because it's 10 hours away from Indiana, and I can't just drive home at the blink of eye to Atlanta like so many of my friends can. London makes you feel almost insignificant. There are so many people. But at the same time, you connect with people, and the world instantly becomes smaller. You feel bigger. The only time I have ever been out of the country was to go on a family vacation to the Caribbean. Not really going anywhere on my own.
I have also fallen in love with Oxford. It is simply amazing here, and it reminds me a little bit of home (or Athens anyway). I hope you are having as amazing of a time as I am, being first-timers to Europe!
I completely know what you mean. It took getting off the airplane and walking onto the bus to finally make me realize I was going to Oxford. Even now it sometimes overwhelms me. But I love being here. I don't know when I'll get to experience something so great again so I am trying to take everything in, do as much as I can, and enjoy every minute!!!
May, I feel the same way. I was completely overwhelmed when I first arrived here, especially after my delayed flight and missing our first meeting. But don't forget, that we're all in the same boat! :) I think our friendship has made if much more enjoyable, ad I can't wait to have more adventures on our own!
I think a couple members of our class saw my comments on one of Dr. Reber's posts before we left. I was nervous about classes... not really in the mood for another 6 weeks of [intense] school work. And really not all that excited about coming to Oxford in the first place, instead of somewhere exotic. As soon as I got here, though, and got situated physically and socially, all that fell away.
Moral of the story: you summed up in your post just about everything I've thought about through the different stages of this trip.
Post a Comment