New Days In London

Our last few hours on our group flight into London!

As the days creep closer to this new adventure abroad, my mind begins to race with both anticipation and nerve. In the upcoming days a whole new world will have just opened up for myself and the other students included. I think anyone on this journey could possibly agree the level of excitement exceeds expectations and what words can describe. As many of the students I have spoken to have never been to London before, myself included, my expectations are seemingly none. I felt that a crucial way to grow was to not set expectations in the coming weeks. With the first travel day and about 8 hours under my belt so far I have grasped a warm welcome from all that I have encountered. From the flight attendants, taxi driver and host family, all encounters have been very positive leading this experience off to a great start.

  An unusual twist has occurred due to a Tube (our main source of public transportation) strike for the upcoming days. This entails that our first days of classes will be moved online as many of us are too far from campus to reach it any other way than taking the tube. This just goes to show the fast paced changes this vast city has to offer us whether we want it or not. It feels like a good reminder that while being abroad, really anything can change without control but it's crucial to learn the art of flexibility. I personally feel that this is just one of the many life lessons that this trip will highlight. 

Stumbled upon a maze of an underground vintage market

My first picture of central London including the beautiful weather we were so lucky to have

group pic right before boarding our flight!

Our first few hours in London have been a blur but filled with kindness as well as particularly warm weather to greet our faces after being trapped in the airport for numerous hours on end. My particular homestay falls within a quiet English suburb, home to many families with children and lined with tiny gardens. The stereotypical British home is one within many rows of similar houses, small historic homes that hold not only us students but the daily residents of Earling. I was surprised by how spread apart everything is, or should I say how large the surrounding areas of the main city hub are. It feels that it goes on and on and I cannot wait to explore around.

  Upon my first hours of time alone in this new area I found myself walking up and down the streets while talking to loved ones. This was a great way to check in with my current atmosphere while also being able to check in with my life back in California. I scanned the roads surrounding my temporary home here, grasping for any sort of familiarity and finding none other than some friendly street cats. Once again greeted with kindness by these strangers. My excitement for this journey just continues to grow and I keep reminding myself to take all of these new scary moments in because pretty soon I will already be on to the next destination. 

About the blogger:

Savannah Whalen is a nursing major here at SBCC but she has always loved to write especially about the places she goes. She shared that she's super excited to be able to document her life along with others abroad while also gaining some worldly experiences.