From Jersey to London
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Shameless self promotion!
I would love all of you forever if you checked out my novel on Figment, right on over here.
And here’s a summary under the Read More!
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Q: can you just tell me everything there is to know about studying abroad at regents?! i'm headed off in the fall and would like some advice :) thanks
A:
Everything there is to know?! Well, there’s quite a lot! But I’ll give it a try…
First of all, all the American kids at Regent’s will want to go to the same bars every week. For us, those two places were places called O’Neills and the Sport’s Cafe. Neither of them are bad to go to once or twice, especially because drinks are cheap (though I don’t know your views on drinking…) but the Sport’s Cafe is specifically an American bar. If you really want to experience British culture, go do your own thing! I’ve made TONS of British/European friends at all kinds of bars I’ve found, and now that I’m home I’m definitely keeping in touch with them. My favorite place to go was Camden, which is within walking distance from Regent’s!
If you’re picky about food, try not to be. Eat new things. The refectory (or dining hall, whatever you want to call it) at Regent’s kind of sucks most of the time, even in comparison to other school food I’ve eaten, but every once in a while there was a winner. We went to eat out more often (and I’ve discovered a liking for Indian, Korean, and Lebanese food) or we went to the Brasserie, which is a cafe-like place right across the hall from the refectory. The food there is a bit more expensive, but it’s better. But honestly, by the end of the semester I had over 150 pounds left on my student card, so as long as you’re not eating at the Brasserie or the student bar every day you’ll be fine.
As far as classes go, they weren’t too bad. For some reason I was one of the few people who had a bigger workload than I did at home, but everyone else said it was the easiest semester ever. Still, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be trying - I don’t know if the grades matter or if it’s pass or fail for you, but it’s easy to forget about all of the schoolwork sometimes.
ENJOY THE TIME THERE WHILE YOU CAN! You might be homesick, but four months passed by faster than I could believe. I got home yesterday, and I already want to be back in London! It was the greatest experience of my life by far and I’m jealous of the fact that you’re going in the fall! You’ll get to experience the Christmas tree lighting and stuff, which I totally missed out on.
I know I just told you quite a lot, but I just have so much to say about it! If there’s anything else you need, please be sure to let us know!
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A Really Long Study Break that Resulted in not returning to studying
Hello Friends! Only one more week of school and then it’s time to BUST OUTTA HERE! Today I (William) went with Ms. Emily and Ms. Victoria to the rare and special book collections of the Monmouth Library. Seriously, it was AWESOME! I cannot believe our school has this treasure and we never even knew it!! We had to make an appointment and it was obvious we were like the only people ever to come in a long time, but the guy was cool and I felt exclusive getting this tour of the books. We got to touch everything too and sniff! Sniffing is very important when handling rare, special, and old books. There were also some medeval manuscripts we got to see and some really really old first editions of books some the very first copies printed in English or in the United States, it was awesome! Definitely have to take you kids there one day
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So, I’m in class and should probably be learning or something, but instead I’ll update you on life!
Again, I’ve got so many country updates that I’ve just not gotten around to posting… Since I’ve been in the UK, I’ve gone to Scotland, Prague, Italy, Dublin twice, and Paris twice. I went to Dublin and Paris once with friends, and then once with my father.
I’ve only told you guys about Scotland, which is a damn shame. I swear I’ll update about the countries I’ve been to and what I’ve done while there eventually, but since I’m leaving in 11 days, I’ll just let you know what’s been going on in good ole London Town.
My father came to visit me last week. It was great to show him all around London, and we were able to go to Dublin to see my Grandmother! That was lovely; I’d never seen her place before, and I hadn’t seen her in a couple years to begin with. I also showed my dad Paris, which was beautiful, as always…. Except for the part where we were almost mugged. If only for that reason, London > Paris… Not by much, but enough for it to count.
This weekend, my best friend from middle school is coming to stay with me for the weekend! She’s been studying in France for the semester, and she just ended. I haven’t seen her in four years, so I’m reeeeeally looking forward to this reunion.
I’m going with Hannah (who you’ll meet when we come back to MU!) tomorrow to get a consultation for my tattoo. It may wind up being more expensive than I was hoping, but for me, there’s no where else I would want to get it done.
Matt has become the most social of butterflies; whenever we go out he always manages to find us friends. He’s become our group’s good luck charm, the night always sucks more when he isn’t there.
A few people at my school started up a semi-open mic night that meets every week, and I’ve become a regular there, singing with the locals as well as other folks from Regents College. It’s been an incredibly amazing experience, and I’m so glad I grew the balls to sing in another country. The last one is this Sunday, and I’m really sad about it… The fact that things are all coming to a close is incredibly depressing; the real world back in Jersey involves actual school work, having to pay tuition, having to get a car, carrying the responsibilities of more people than just myself. In London I am exactly who I want to be, who I hope I can still be when I come home.
Finals are next week. They’re a joke. That’s all I have to say about that.
So what have I learned while in London?
I’ve learned that I’m more courageous than I thought I was.
I’ve learned I’m more independent and mature than I thought I was.
I’ve learned my luck with men is terrible;
I’m still learning not to care about thatxD.I’ve learned a few drinks with good people are never a bad idea.
I’ve learned not everyone thinks America is terrible.
I’ve learned that they do, however, almost unanimously think NJ is strange.
I’ve learned that as a country, The States have a lot to learn. A lot.
I’ve learned there can be such a thing as a clean city.
I’ve learned that there is so much beauty in the world, and in its people. Not everyone is a dick, and not everything is out to get you.
And most importantly, I’ve learned how to appreciate the life I lead, the amazing friends who have helped me get there, and the amazing place that has made me realize who I really am.
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THE VIDEO WILL NOT LOAD
I’m sorrrry. I will try to load it tomorrow. I probably need to sleep though since I’ve been up for 18 hours.
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Ya’ll Ready For this?
This is going to be an image-heavy post, so I’ll put it under a cut. This will be in two parts because I can’t upload a video from my phone like this without having to put it on youtube and blah blah blah. I’m too tired for this
William and I went to New York this Sunday (actually, today, as I’m writing this) and it was Fan-freaking-tastic. The only thing that would have made it better is the Doctor Who cast staying in America one more day. Regardless, it was full of museums, walking, and some awesome subway maneuvering.
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SO MATT SMITH AND THE REST OF EM WHO PEOPLE ARE IN NYC WHERE BECCA AND I WILL BE ON SUNDAY
please let them still be there
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An Adventure of Some Sort
So today Becca and I had quite a fun day. First we had to register for classes which is another story for another day. After that we met up and we went house hunting.. I HAVE FOUND A HOUSE! its a 5 bedroom in Allenhurst right by where Asbury Park starts and its on a street filled with McMansions and night hot spots are down the street and the other direction is the beach…can’t wait for you all to come over for doctor who nights, tea parties, and dinner! Then we went to a stupid science class and then we made an overdue trip to the Inkwell which we both agree was underdue because it was really weird. The crowd was all old people and parents and there was a weird not Inkwell vibe, maybe its because you guys arent here. BUT we did plan an adventure to NYC for next weekend!
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The other night Becca and I went to the midnight showing of THE HUNGER GAMES. It was a fun time as my roommates and Stacey came. I don’t know if you guys are Hunger Games fans but I heard the UK version edited the film more because it was “too graphic” which is funny because the full-length American version was hardly graphic at all, actually it was disappointing how un graphic it was….now that I think about it the movie wasnt anything great I feel disappointed as I write this because it was more fun hyping it up, oh well I guess the saying rings true “read a good book before Hollywood ruins it” Can’t wait to see you guys in like less than 2 months :)
