A week ago I was packing for my study abroad adventure, advising on what essential items to pack for trip. This week I'm finally in Bath, England, growing accustomed to the modern life among the Georgian architecture surrounding the city. The study program has kept us busy, not only preparing for our courses this semester, but also getting us accustom to the changes we'll find in Bath.
The jet-lag wasn't too bad for me; if anything I've woken up more from hearing the start of the 5 a.m. morning commute. This city sounds like a busy city, but has the aesthetic of a European town. From the modern aspect, there are cute coffes hops, shopping districts, beautiful parks, and numerous tourist sights, but the streets change from pavement to stone and the uniformed buildings are only kept apart from their uniquely colors doors, which remind me that I'm in Europe-- as well as the occasional double-decker bus making its way around the corner.
Surprisingly enough, I learned I have a good sense of direction and can read a map fairly well. Of course, it will only get better over time, but I haven't been lost in Bath--yet. After learning our sense of direction in Bath, my flatmates and I decided to shop for groceries in the local Sainsbury's. This is where things started to look slightly different; the eggs aren't kept refrigerated, the "gallons" of milk are shaped like gasoline jugs, and the Nutella containers are glass. The weirdest difference I've notice so far is in other European cities that I've visited, the emergency vehicle sirens have always sounded distinctly different; however, I've noticed that the emergency sirens here sound exactly the same as American sirens, causing me to pause and think, "Wait, where am I again?"
Picture waking up in an alternate universe where some things are almost exactly the same, but other things are slightly different. That's living in England. I'm sure I haven't experience as much culture shock as my friends who have studied in places with different languages, but there's something to be said for studying in a country where they drive on the left side of the road. Nevertheless, this city is beautiful and I couldn't imagine calling any other place my home for the next few months!
Check in next week for my next installment of this adventure!
