Week One: getting settled

 Full English Breakfast

Scream Pub

Whitendale Halls 

Disclaimer: For all of you who have been pestering me about not writing, here it is. Just a heads up the style and general messages of the blog will probably be geared more toward my activities now that I am actually in the UK, opposed to my opinions and insights.

After a few tough goodbyes and bothersome lines I boarded a plane on its way to Chicago. The flight went smoothly, but took longer than expected during the landing. Unfortunately for me, that meant sprinting across the O’Hare airport full speed only to find an empty terminal and a closed gate. The attendant was still there, and in my state of panic I explained that I needed to get on that plane no matter what. I was fortunate enough to have the gate reopened for me and I was able to board. Regardless of whether I was last on the plan or not, I was on. A little shaken up from the nearly missed flight and some questionable lasagna I did not sleep the entire way to Manchester. 

After customs I headed down to baggage claim only to watch the belt spin round and round until I was the last one in the room besides the attendant. I filed a missing baggage claim and he assured me that my luggage would arrive at the “Uni” (my school, University of Central Lancashire) by 4:00pm (written here as 16:00). Before heading to the bus station where my school was picking me up, I attempted to take out 100 pounds ($160) out of the ATM. Although the transaction said it was completed, no money was dispensed. And if I thought that was bad, I had no idea what I had coming.

To make a long story short I had no luggage, no Internet connection, no roommates, no sun, no cell phone, no hot water, no money, and no idea what I was supposed to do with myself. All I could think was why on earth did I go through all this hassle for this dingy little flat and large dose of homesick. Needless to say, the first day or two were pretty rough, but my situation has only been improving from there. I managed to get an Ethernet connection, a nice brick style phone, some money, and a few friends too. I bought a couple necessities and my luggage will hopefully arrive today!

I don’t even think its necessary to buy a gym pass with the amount of walking I have been doing. We walk everywhere: to school, to the shops, to pubs, to restaurants, you name it. The weather is cold, rainy, and windy, but the sun does manage to peak out for about five minutes here and there. I have been very busy trying to get a situated getting a phone, Internet, groceries, enrolling in school, finding my way around, and meeting all the other international students.

The other exchange students are all so nice and friendly. There are probably about thirty of us and people come from all over the world: various states (a lot from CT), Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Hungary, Turkey, Argentina, China, and more. A handful of us went out to the pub the other night and got to know each other a little better over a few pints of Stella and a bit of White Zinfandel, it was a ton of fun. On Monday nights at Scream (the pub) a pint of beer is only about one or two pounds (also called a “quid”) which is good for students on a budget and a crappy exchange rate. We have tried a few local restaurants and the food is different… but not bad. I really want to try Indian food because it is supposed to be very good here (and has a lot of vegetarian options).  Basically, I’m starting to get settled in and things are definitely looking up.

Although at times I do feel homesick and miss my friends, family, and routine back home, its easy to remember just how lucky I am to be given the opportunity to study and live in another country for a few months: opening up my comfort zone, exposing me to many new cultures, and making great new memories and friends along the way. This coming weekend all the UK students move in so I will have roommates and even more people to hang out with. It is also “Freshers” week where apparently all the students and recent alumni all go out to the pubs and clubs. My international student mentor told me “its absolutely mad” and a lot of fun! I’ll keep everyone posted on how that goes!

Cheers.