Dear Haddie (circa 4 months ago), 

You are about to experience the greatest months of your life…daunting, I know. Not only will you experience cultures from over a dozen different countries, but you will meet some amazing people along the way. As a result of this program, you have become fearless in your travels, motivated to experience all that the world has to offer. You have become more independent with your day to day skills, acquired through navigating the underground tube system of London and those of other countries. By living abroad, I have also understood the positive impact of my home life, such as the convenience and comfort of my family being only a few hundred miles away rather than a few thousand. Despite this, utilizing technology such as text and video messaging is increasingly fundamental, proving that connections can work around the world. 

Before starting the program, I wish I had been aware of the many different activities London has to offer. Even the most obscure and funky art installations and music venues has provided me the opportunity to grow as a person. Previously, looking at London, I thought Big Ben and the London Eye were the main draws, however, now, I find myself completely wrong. The biggest draws to me, being in an arts-centered field, are the amazing opportunities for creatives to meet and showcase their art. Knowing there is a safe space for art of all kinds would have eased my entry into the city, as I was apprehensive of how art appreciation was. 

What most surprised me about the program was the ease of immersing myself in London. Although London is a dauntingly large city, specific neighborhoods scattered throughout make the city seem much smaller, and more accessible. By immediately venturing into the different neighborhoods, discovering the positives of each, I felt better immersed in the area as a whole. Using the underground has been the most helpful tool of discovery, given that I can snake around the city quickly and at ease. 

The picture I am attaching showcase two of the most well-known sites of London, and the greater London area. The first is Westminster Abbey, which I visited on the first sunny and warm day of spring. Although it had taken me nearly three months to go inside, I was ecstatic to be enriched by the history of the church. The courtyard area provided peace, juxtaposing the bustle of London just one wall over.