Homeward Bound

It has taken me just about the same amount of time to settle in at home as it did when I originally arrived abroad. It’s this “reverse culture-shock” I have come to know these past few days.

Despite this, my previous comments on traveling abroad still stand. You really must go. For me, London will always be calling and I will constantly be looking at my hometown in new ways because of this. It isn’t  about which place is better. Rather, it’s about what each place provides you with, what it educates you about and more importantly, what it leaves you with in the end.

Now, for all you undecided study abroaders, I’ve created a list (below) of the many cultural variations I stumbled upon while I was in London. Some are tedious and some are fun, but these little encounters represent the common foundation each and every traveler will face- no matter where they roam. Take them at your disposal.

               

So, should you study abroad? Should you finally make that journey you’ve always wanted to? Well, I’m not sure. I don’t know you, remember? You’ll just have to pass that pond on your own.

               

Kind regards and best wishes for the future,      

Hannah

• Save your oyster card number because if you lose it, you can give that information to Transport for London and the value on the card can be transferred to a new card. 
• Mind the gap (between the train and the platform when taking the tube).
• Pin and chip, not swipe is the more common way to use your debit or credit card in Europe, though swipe is still accepted. Adjust.
• Take away costs less than eating in at many different restaurants!
• Take advantage of cheap travel throughout Europe. National Express is great for cities within the UK and Ryan Air is great for the more adventurous flyers who want to leave the island for less.
• Beware the exchange rate, but always remember you don’t need to tip!
• Boots is similar to Walgreens and is a great place to go if you need a prescription for the common cold and other minor illnesses.
• Primark is a nice store where savage shoppers fight for cheap and cheaply made products. It’s a must-see, but only in small doses.
• Stores don’t stay open very late in England, so if you want a late-night snack, plan ahead.
• You might notice how often Londoners grocery shop. This is due to a lack of preservatives in food. So, if you can’t beat them, join them. That what you can’t eat in a few days should be shared or frozen.
• Check out charity shops like Oxfam throughout London! They offer a nice variety at inexpensive rates.
• Have a pint at your local pub, (if you are 18 or over!) but remember that there is a higher alcohol content in beer served in Britain.
• The night bus system is hard to master, but if you know the direction you need to go, you can determine which side of the street you need to stand on for the bus. It’s really just a matter of trial and error. Hint- bus drivers know which stops are on their route!
• Londoners don’t wait for the “green man” at crosswalks, but be smart before stepping into the street with them.
• Try new things. Visit new places. Google maps helps the process along. Enjoy yourself!