I have always been adamant about traveling internationally. My parents would invest their money toward a family vacation and would shun away from buying the latest gadgets for us. They were insistent that cross-cultural experiences were far more valuable than consumer items that would fade away. That is why, when my professor approached me about a study abroad program at Oxford, I was keen on attending. Everyone who knew me well was supportive, and now here I am in the United Kingdom!

The first day was kind of a culture shock. Everything is opposite. The cars drive on the left side of the road, it rains daily and some people are just downright rude. Apparently, being a American is not exactly an asset here, since we are perceived as being loud and obnoxious. In fact, in some some circles, American people were referred to with strong vulgarity by the British. As for exercise, the gym at the school only has an elliptical, bicycle, rowing machine and a few free weights, as opposed to an endless supply of free weights ranging from 2–60 pounds, pull-up bars, bench and squat racks that I'm used to having. The food is different, and I do not care for it much. And, strangely, I was followed by a homeless guy until I made it back to my room safely. While all this bothered me, I reminded to give things at Oxford a chance, as the first day is never enough time to make a sound judgment of what a place is truly like.

Thankfully, the next couple of days were much better. I'm still not a big fan of the food, but I will eat it. One of the perks from the cafeteria is that the vegetables are fresh, a personal preference. When I got lost around Oxford, a sweet local lady helped me find my way back to my dormitory. I learned I could make do with the gym, as long as I make consistent effort in working my muscles elsewhere. Both the architecture and history of this city are absolutely stunning. And that's only in Oxford! I will later be doing my own traveling in my five weeks here to Paris, Versailles, London, Henley, Stratford, the coast, Amsterdam and Bruges before I return home. It seems plausible that I will encounter many different cultures, but I know I shouldn't base my experiences off of a couple of weird encounters. I have made new friends, will be traveling with some of them and am excited for all these new experiences that will help me throughout my life.

From my first day to the end of my first week, my feelings have changed. Not all British people are bad; that is true in all parts of any society, and I might as well get used to it now. It would have been a better start had people initially been kind to me, but I can control my own emotions and not let negativity stop me from being who I am. I would highly encourage anyone who is interested in studying abroad to do so. However, I do advise you not go enter into it with super high expectations, as your primary focus should be on your research. But find out what there is to see! The movies and pictures displaying of these places are not as spectacular as the actual views, but they will be good images to look back upon. In the end, you'll learn so much more about other cultures, other people, communication and, ultimately, about yourself. It won't be too long before this experience will be over, but I will have gained so much more knowledge than what I have learned in the classroom.