Jason Ernst
Jason
First and foremost, I will forever be in debt to COLLBREF for the life changing
experience they have given me. They have opened up my eyes to a world I did not even know
existed. Thank you.
As I attempt to write about my London experience I am flooded with a million clichés
about how it was life changing and cannot possibly be put into words. It is an experience that
has prompted new interests, new ideas, and new knowledge about myself. Even so, I will try to
sum up some of my favorite experiences, but please know that even the most eloquent of texts
would not do London justice.
In my three years of living away from home it never crossed my mind that my perceived
independence was artificial. Until that month in London I had not had the pleasure of my time
being my own. It has always been be at school at this time, go to work at that time, make sure
my homework is finished, and the list goes on and on. In London, minus classes, I was able to
consciously choose how to spend my time. Luckily, Maisoon and I became partners in crime
and quickly started our attempt to conquer London. While we each spent time making sure we
saw and did things that were on our personal bucket lists, we spent much of our time together
exploring the different areas of the city. We soon found ourselves absolutely in love with the
street markets and went to one or two every week. I cannot tell you exactly why this became one
of our favorite things, but I think it had something to do with the constant exposure to different
cultures, not to mention the delicious food! As a side note, markets are the best places to try
authentic ethnic food!
When people think of London they think of a big cosmopolitan city, but what many
people do not know is it can offer a variety of intimate and seemingly rural experiences. One of
my favorite weekly rituals was walking down Lower Marsh to Greensmiths, a local market, and
purchasing fresh fruit and vegetables for the week. For anyone looking for a quiet escape from
the busyness of the city, taking an afternoon walk through the neighborhood is comforting in
many ways. While it took Maisoon and me a few weeks to realize how close everything actually
was, when we finally did we were able to bypass the tube, enjoy the city, and explore areas we
would have missed otherwise.
Exploring really is the best way to experience London. Not to say that going with some
sort of plan or bucket list is a bad thing but some of my best memories come from days I just
went where the day took me. If I could give one piece of advice to future scholarship recipients
it would be to depart from your phone for your time across the pond and instead get lost and
discover London. There truly is something for everyone, so do not distract yourself with
everything going on in the States.
Spending a month in London was slightly awkward. Just as I was starting to feel
comfortable and actually able to give others directions on the tube it was time to start packing up
to return home. I would encourage future scholarship recipients to take advantage of the
opportunity and if possible travel Europe for extra time. I would have loved to be able to spend
another week or two in London. The city has so much to offer and there really is not enough
time for it all. And while the major sites are must sees, there are just as many unique events
going on throughout the city. One of my favorite things was a pop up cinema at the Victoria
Gardens of Parliament (walking distance from International House!). It was truly a local’s event
and really made me feel as if I belonged in the city.
To future London travelers, go with an open mind. You will be exposed to diversity in a
number of ways and not holding back is the best way to experience it. Whether it is having a
Kangaroo Burger at Camden Market, talking with locals at Three Stags Pub, having afternoon
tea at Patisserie Valerie, trying to decipher what language you just heard on the tube, or making
friends with classmates from other countries, these experiences will become a part of you and
alter your perspective in indescribable ways. Maisoon and I were lucky enough to not just find
friends in each other, but to find other people in our program who we loved sharing London
with. While doing things on your own can be quite rewarding in some ways, London is really
meant to be conquered with others. Spend time getting to know other people and making friends
and then explore London together. And while the tube is convenient and even exciting at times,
try to walk to places so you do not miss out anything. London truly has something for everyone,
so discover whatever it is London has for you!
experience they have given me. They have opened up my eyes to a world I did not even know
existed. Thank you.
As I attempt to write about my London experience I am flooded with a million clichés
about how it was life changing and cannot possibly be put into words. It is an experience that
has prompted new interests, new ideas, and new knowledge about myself. Even so, I will try to
sum up some of my favorite experiences, but please know that even the most eloquent of texts
would not do London justice.
In my three years of living away from home it never crossed my mind that my perceived
independence was artificial. Until that month in London I had not had the pleasure of my time
being my own. It has always been be at school at this time, go to work at that time, make sure
my homework is finished, and the list goes on and on. In London, minus classes, I was able to
consciously choose how to spend my time. Luckily, Maisoon and I became partners in crime
and quickly started our attempt to conquer London. While we each spent time making sure we
saw and did things that were on our personal bucket lists, we spent much of our time together
exploring the different areas of the city. We soon found ourselves absolutely in love with the
street markets and went to one or two every week. I cannot tell you exactly why this became one
of our favorite things, but I think it had something to do with the constant exposure to different
cultures, not to mention the delicious food! As a side note, markets are the best places to try
authentic ethnic food!
When people think of London they think of a big cosmopolitan city, but what many
people do not know is it can offer a variety of intimate and seemingly rural experiences. One of
my favorite weekly rituals was walking down Lower Marsh to Greensmiths, a local market, and
purchasing fresh fruit and vegetables for the week. For anyone looking for a quiet escape from
the busyness of the city, taking an afternoon walk through the neighborhood is comforting in
many ways. While it took Maisoon and me a few weeks to realize how close everything actually
was, when we finally did we were able to bypass the tube, enjoy the city, and explore areas we
would have missed otherwise.
Exploring really is the best way to experience London. Not to say that going with some
sort of plan or bucket list is a bad thing but some of my best memories come from days I just
went where the day took me. If I could give one piece of advice to future scholarship recipients
it would be to depart from your phone for your time across the pond and instead get lost and
discover London. There truly is something for everyone, so do not distract yourself with
everything going on in the States.
Spending a month in London was slightly awkward. Just as I was starting to feel
comfortable and actually able to give others directions on the tube it was time to start packing up
to return home. I would encourage future scholarship recipients to take advantage of the
opportunity and if possible travel Europe for extra time. I would have loved to be able to spend
another week or two in London. The city has so much to offer and there really is not enough
time for it all. And while the major sites are must sees, there are just as many unique events
going on throughout the city. One of my favorite things was a pop up cinema at the Victoria
Gardens of Parliament (walking distance from International House!). It was truly a local’s event
and really made me feel as if I belonged in the city.
To future London travelers, go with an open mind. You will be exposed to diversity in a
number of ways and not holding back is the best way to experience it. Whether it is having a
Kangaroo Burger at Camden Market, talking with locals at Three Stags Pub, having afternoon
tea at Patisserie Valerie, trying to decipher what language you just heard on the tube, or making
friends with classmates from other countries, these experiences will become a part of you and
alter your perspective in indescribable ways. Maisoon and I were lucky enough to not just find
friends in each other, but to find other people in our program who we loved sharing London
with. While doing things on your own can be quite rewarding in some ways, London is really
meant to be conquered with others. Spend time getting to know other people and making friends
and then explore London together. And while the tube is convenient and even exciting at times,
try to walk to places so you do not miss out anything. London truly has something for everyone,
so discover whatever it is London has for you!