It’s been exactly a month since I left for England, so I am attempting to review a time that has been so different from everything I have ever known.
The biggest challenge has been getting used to little changes. England is relatively similar to America, but there are still so many differences. They’re all small and they chip away at my sanity at points. Whether it’s the slang or the food or certain cultural norms, there’s been a lot for me to keep up with. I am participating in as many activities as I can. There’s something new to do every night. For example, tonight I am going to be watching American football with English people. I think it will be a fascinating experience. Related to journalism, I am writing for the online university website, SR-News, and have been given the role of News Planner. This week will be my first attempting that. Not sticking to only print this year, one of my classes is called “Newsroom,” and every Friday we go in at 9:30 a.m. to produce a live radio show at 3:30 p.m. I’ve only done the class twice so far, but it has been intense and exciting working as a radio reporter. Already I have interviewed a taxi company and attended a press conference at a police station. To branch out my social circle, I auditioned for a play titled “The Lion, The Witch, And The Bedroom Door”- a stage adaptation of “The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe.” I got the part of Susan, the older sister, which was a far bigger role than I had dared hope to get. The people and the show are full of energy (and I don’t even have to fake a British accent). It reminds me of all the theater I did back home while still pushing me outside my comfort zone. One thing that has surprised me is the number of international students around me. I didn’t realize, but 28 per cent of students at the University of Sunderland are international. Some are doing just an exchange semester or exchange year like me, but others have chosen to complete their entire course at this school. The number of different countries and cultures I have met at has been mind-boggling: Singapore, Nigeria, Germany, Australia, Ireland, Malaysia, China, Spain, Poland, Japan, Egypt, Jordan, Greece. When I sit in any group, we get a small sample of the world. It reminds me how big this planet is and how many cultures there are to understand. Sunderland and I are agreeing well with each other. My goal this month is to start exploring the areas beyond this city. Everyone keeps saying I should go to Newcastle (and Manchester and Liverpool and Yorkshire just about every area in the country) and Scotland isn’t that far away either. There’s a lot to explore and time just keeps on ticking. I continue to feel eager for what it all has to offer.
1 Comment
Edie Golden
10/27/2017 10:16:49 am
What an wonderful experience....Keep positive and and enjoy every minute of this adventure. Enjoy you writing....you are on the right path.....GOD BLESS, I love you - Gram
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Amy Golden
Amy will be spending the academic year at the University of Sunderland in England studying journalism. Archives
February 2018
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