Last week I got the chance to walk in the footsteps of Jane Austen, but this week was slightly different. Even study abroad programs have midterm weeks, which means library day researching and late nights writing essays. It's a week period to remind you exactly what I came to Bath, England for: education. Here are 10 realizations I've had this week about studying abroad.
1. Dunkin Donuts isn't around to comfort me.
Then you realize the closest you are to the overly sugary taste of an ice coffee is over an hour away in London. (Side note: There's only 3 Dunkins in this entire country.)
2. No matter what, I always say dollars instead of pounds.
And they look nothing like each other, so I don't know why I continue to believe it's the same currency.
3. I have the best commute to classes.
I walk past buildings, like Bath Abbey, which date back to the 1400s. There's absolutely no commute better than the 20-minute walk I take past Georgian architecture and street vendors every day.
4. My accent sounds weird.
When I actually take a second to hear myself talk among all the British accents that I hear around me, it throws me off for a second. I think I should just adopt the accent, maybe it would sound better.
5. Cider tastes great.
With my rule of trying new things while I'm abroad, I've taken the chance to try cider a few times. And it's so good!
6. Spring Break planning is difficult.
Especially when you're planning on going to different countries and making sure all the plans are in order so you can actually spend that time relaxing and enjoying the holiday.
7. I will know how to cook so many things when I'm back in the States.
Pinterest has yet to fail me in the adventures of cooking dinner and making healthy, well-balanced meals while I'm studying abroad.
8. I'm studying an entire week in Oxford.
Next week, I'll be traveling to Oxford with ASE to take classes and immerse myself in yet another English city.
9. I can't afford to shop.
There are so many amazing stores around Bath that I can't afford to go into, because I know I'll end up buy things I don't need. It's even necessarily about money, I also don't have any room in my suitcase to bring extra clothes back with me.
10. I have nine weeks left in my study abroad program.
It may seem like a lot of time, but it's not. Two of those weeks will be spent away from Bath and another week will be exams. I know the time I do have left I have to spend it wisely.
Well, it's back to writing papers, but these realizations will stay with me while I write them. This is what's on the mind of a girl studying abroad in Bath, England.
