Wow. British Studies was such a fucking fantastic experience. I’m not even sure where or how to begin reflecting upon the past 8 weeks. As cliché as it is to claim that you’re abroad experience “changed” you, I have to admit that I think definitely changed and grew as a person in Europe. As a mostly introverted person, abroad was the push I needed to open up to people and form new relationships. Last semester at Rhodes was really tough for me; I was stuck in a major major rut. British Studies at Oxford was just the change I needed. I’m not saying I’m completely healed, or completely happy, but I have taken steps this summer. I have initiated change in my life, and I am proud of myself for that. I really needed this summer. As a general rule, I have a fairly hard time opening up to people I don’t know or are not comfortable around. However, this summer I have grown, and I’m so happy that I’ve let go of my social anxieties and preoccupation of wanting everyone to like me. I feel so freed, and showing people my true self right off the bat has been a very rewarding experience for me.
I am so incredibly greatful for all the amazing people I have met or grown closer to during this summer. I’m thankful for all our wild nights and shenanigans that we will be inside-joking about when we return to Rhodes. In particular, this post goes out to Blakeley, Harrison, Chi, Price, KJ, Meredith, Mufton, Sam, Foster, Hoffman, and all the other people who I met from various American cities and other countries. You guys truly made this an unforgettable experience, and I am so lucky to have friends who care about me and who I deeply care for. Although we ditched some of you guys at the train station, and made others miss the ghost tour, there is no one I would rather play the odds game with or dance like crazy people at Lava with. I will absolutely never forget us chanting “’merica” at innapropriate times, or going to that Amsterdam bar that played “All I Want For Christmas” and passed out Christmas hats, or taking Slytherin shots at the esteemed Purple Turtle. I had a blast this summer, and most of it was due to you guys, so thank you.
It’s surreal to me that the summer passed by this quickly, and that I’m moving into my house in Memphis next week. I’m very happy to be home in the land of air conditioning and Chipotle, but I’m also not ready to go back to Rhodes so soon. I thought I would be a lot more ready than I am right now, but I’m not. I guess I would never be fully ready to face Rhodes again, so I just have to stay positive. I’m super excited for a lot of aspects of next year, and I can’t wait for what junior year has in store for me. I’m looking forward to having my own room and cooking my own food and living with my best friends. I’m excited for the prospect of getting a job and running another half and writing more. I just wish it could just be summer for a few more months…. But for now, I’m really glad to be back in my own bed with my Netflix and actual ice in my water.
So, sadly this is the end of my travels and therefore the end of my travel writing. I hope I will have the opportunity to travel more and see more in my life. This trip was a good excuse for me to start this blog; a blog is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, but haven’t had the courage to do. I’m going to start writing more random things I’m passionate about, and less just travel summary type things. I’m sad to see my magical summer coming to a close, but I’m excited to experience a new chapter in my life.
I am so incredibly greatful for all the amazing people I have met or grown closer to during this summer. I’m thankful for all our wild nights and shenanigans that we will be inside-joking about when we return to Rhodes. In particular, this post goes out to Blakeley, Harrison, Chi, Price, KJ, Meredith, Mufton, Sam, Foster, Hoffman, and all the other people who I met from various American cities and other countries. You guys truly made this an unforgettable experience, and I am so lucky to have friends who care about me and who I deeply care for. Although we ditched some of you guys at the train station, and made others miss the ghost tour, there is no one I would rather play the odds game with or dance like crazy people at Lava with. I will absolutely never forget us chanting “’merica” at innapropriate times, or going to that Amsterdam bar that played “All I Want For Christmas” and passed out Christmas hats, or taking Slytherin shots at the esteemed Purple Turtle. I had a blast this summer, and most of it was due to you guys, so thank you.
It’s surreal to me that the summer passed by this quickly, and that I’m moving into my house in Memphis next week. I’m very happy to be home in the land of air conditioning and Chipotle, but I’m also not ready to go back to Rhodes so soon. I thought I would be a lot more ready than I am right now, but I’m not. I guess I would never be fully ready to face Rhodes again, so I just have to stay positive. I’m super excited for a lot of aspects of next year, and I can’t wait for what junior year has in store for me. I’m looking forward to having my own room and cooking my own food and living with my best friends. I’m excited for the prospect of getting a job and running another half and writing more. I just wish it could just be summer for a few more months…. But for now, I’m really glad to be back in my own bed with my Netflix and actual ice in my water.
So, sadly this is the end of my travels and therefore the end of my travel writing. I hope I will have the opportunity to travel more and see more in my life. This trip was a good excuse for me to start this blog; a blog is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, but haven’t had the courage to do. I’m going to start writing more random things I’m passionate about, and less just travel summary type things. I’m sad to see my magical summer coming to a close, but I’m excited to experience a new chapter in my life.