One Year Later

A year on, after multiple Skype sessions...
A German friend came to Cambridge to visit in January. In the Summer, I went to Spain and had the most amazing time ever.

Then, I went to Oxford to visit the two British girls.

I am sure there will be plenty more meet-ups in the future ahead, and hopefully a proper reunion too! Fulbright was a long time ago; it seems so unreal now. Luckily my friends are still there to assure me that it wasn't all just a dream.

Week 3 & 4

Even more crazy, but amazing still. Again, every single day has been completely unique. I don't think there's ever been such a long period in my life where I could really say I've had a new experience, learnt something new, and done something different, every single day.
Currently feeling exhausted. Seriously. But it's worth it. I'm really enjoying every single moment of this whole programme.
Our trip to New York was pretty hectic. Going with a group of 24 to such an enormous place isn't really possible to do without at least some hectic-ness. The following day, we went to Wildwood - a beach on the New Jersey shore. A couple of days later, I read in the news that there was a shark that found its way on the New Jersey shore... Anyway, on Sunday we went to Ben's barbeque - there we ate, and were eaten. (Mosquitoes.) It was cool though. The next day, we took a trip to the Philadelphia Free Library, Tuesday was the reception for the Fulbright scholars, Wednesday I visited the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia - one of the largest, ever, apparently. Today, I procrastinated.

Week 1 & 2

Crazily busy.
We've had quite a number of trips, classes are becoming routine, and dining hall food is getting sickening. It really has been so fun though. I've finally finished both the Obama book and The Soloist. The Soloist was great - it really incorporated a lot of my own interests such as music and psychology. The Obama book however would not get such a great review from me.
First essay has been completed, graded and returned. First speech has been prepared, given and analysed.
We also had a trip to a mosque, as part of American Diversity class; Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, which was just so, so incredible; Philadelphia Museum of Art, super duper; and a homestay, which was really amazing.
I can't believe it's already been two whole weeks. Crazy.

Constitutional Rights

If we didn't have so many class assignments, I probably could blog more.
This week's theme for classes and trips is the "Constitutional Rights"; an essay on one of the Amendments was set, and today we visited the National Constitution Centre, Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Very well organised, and a very interesting trip. Very touristy also, but not quite in the London-tourist style. What particularly struck me was when listening to the tour, Britain kept being referred to as "Parents". It's weird to think that the UK essentially raised the USA...
With regards to food, diner food is fine, actually quite amazing compared to what we're used to in the UK. Last night though we headed to Chinatown and ate at a really nice Chinese restaurant. They have far more choice I think.

Class

First day of class - 'typical' American classrooms, learning very American topics. It was pretty comparable to the first day of A levels: information bombardment. Lots to read, lots to think about, but I guess that's what we're here for. Education, education, education, oh wise Mr Blair.
Oh, super heavy rain today. That was just great. Wet clothes + air conditioning = super duper cold.
The reception in the afternoon was great though. Talked to some really interesting people in a really cool hall. It's really inspiring to hear about all the great things that people have accomplished in their lives, and how the core idea behind it all for everyone is to seize all the given opportunities and do what you want.
It's been a great day. It so doesn't feel like it's only been two days though. I've spoken to so many people, seen so many new places, and learnt so many new things - it really is quite amazing how much one can do in just 48 hours if you really try hard. Back in the UK, it is very possible for me to procrastinate for a full 48 hours and literally get nothing done.

Orientation v2.0

Learning 30 new names in a day is tough, but we'll soon get there, eventually... I don't think I've ever introduced myself so often in one day though. It's great though; everyone is very like minded, and we all get along really well. I just feel like my English language skills are kinda incomparable to the Europeans. The English "test" was fine though - just a very pleasant conversation with one of the teachers.
Campus tour was cool. Walking outside mid-afternoon is pretty... hot. But they have great air conditioning inside literally all the buildings, and even the subway! Also, the difference between the tube and the subway is that the tube is about 20 miles underground, after walking like 10 minutes of tunnel, whereas the subway is just a flight of stairs and you're there. Another difference is that there isn't a tube map, or at least a mini map of the route on the actual carriage.
Oh, just realised I haven't blogged about the journey here. Two hour train/tube journey through London to get to Heathrow, 9 hour flight to Toronto, 5 hour wait in Toronto, 2 hour flight to Philadelphia, then a short drive to the university. It was a long day, but we worked well as a team, and managed to figure out everything ok. Totally exhausted though.

Orientation

Orientation was great. A little awkward at first I guess, but it was just really good meeting everyone before we set off. I am so glad to be in a team of super duper nice people, who I can't wait to find out more about and spend time with in the US
We basically introduced ourselves, and did activities that helped to break the ice. We were also given information packs, and a kind of briefing on the purpose of the trip, and what was expected of us. That was scary. I guess all I can do now is try my best to do them proud, them being the Fulbright Commission as well as the respective governments.
Orientation lunch was yummy, and also got us talking more!
I think overall though, orientation just made this whole thing seem so much more real. It was kind of like completing the penultimate stage of this whole thing. All that is left now is to actually get to the states...
So excited!