As week three has come and gone, it is amazing to think that my time in London is already halfway done. As I look at how I’ve adapted to the London culture, I think I’ve done a good job of blending into the everyday lives of Londoners. One thing I have noticed is how reserved everyone is in London; maybe this is an England thing in general, but it was shocking to me how everyone mainly kept to themselves. This is not an issue, however, because I feel very similarly in my day-to-day life. I enjoy being able to get on the tube every morning, and having the peace that no one will bother me if I don’t want to be bothered. One other aspect of the London culture that I have been enjoying is the working culture. While it is more casual than the typical American office environment, I feel as though it is more of a community and less of a job. I’ve been able to build bonds with coworkers and supervisors that are not really possible in America, which has been a nice change of pace. Overall, I feel as though I have been assimilating with London culture well up to this point

One problem I have faced, and I know many of my peers have faced as well, is a lack of true guidance or structure to the questions and tasks I have been asked to complete or answer. Back at home, I am used to being given a task, and with that task I am given the exact way that my boss or whoever wants me to complete it. This is something I like, because knowing how to complete something means I know I am doing it the correct way. Through the first three weeks of work, I have had a couple of instances of tasks being given to me with no clarifying steps or directions, leaving it up to me to figure it out. While this seems like a new and unique challenge, I much rather prefer being told the way someone wants me to complete something, as opposed to having to figure it out and hope it is correct. While this is not a major issue, in fact it really is more of an annoyance, it is something that I’ve noticed since coming over here that has made adapting a little more difficult.

Overall, I think I have been able to navigate my cross-cultural situations well throughout the last three weeks. This past weekend, my favorite baseball team the Philadelphia Phillies were in town to play a two game series. I got to meet a lot of people, both from America and from the UK, and I had a blast. I was able to learn just how much the game I love has impacted so many people, to the point where some of the Brits I talked to would stay up at all times of the night to watch these games. I came into this trip thinking that British and American people could not be more different, and I am happy to report that I was completely wrong. While there are noticeable differences, I learned just this past weekend how similar we are. We share common interests and passions, and both countries have a willingness to get to know the other in a deeper way. I have also found that getting along with my fellow programmers has been easy. I was nervous that I wouldn’t click with anyone, but thankfully I’ve made a lot of friends on this trip. I’ve been able to experience so many cool things with so many different people, and it’s been more than I could have even imagined going into the trip.

When looking back on the past three weeks, it has not been the easiest transition, but one that has had some bumps in the road. Alas, I have taken these challenges in stride, and faced them head-on. I am loving my time in London so far, and I can’t wait to see what challenges and new experiences the last three weeks have to offer me.