Hello and cheers, everyone! My name is Rebecca, and I am beyond ecstatic to share the beginning of my experience in the UK with you all! I can’t help but write this blog at the hour of 1am because my body is still adjusting to the time change and new pace. It has already been a week—I know—but through all of my excitement to explore through London, I have not been doing the best at winding down. Since this is my first time in about two years of leaving the country, I have been in go-mode and achieved full tourist status.

I just finished week one out of six in my program, the Global Business Institute in London. Throughout my time here, I am taking one course to learn about the history of London from Roman times to the present. This course is not like any course I have taken before… in a good way. We spend one day in the classroom for a lecture, and we spend the next day walking around different parts of the city while we see in real-time the content that we are learning. In addition to the class, I am participating in an internship. I am completing a double major in marketing and supply chain management, and I got accepted into a marketing internship for the duration of my program. I have not had a positive experience with my internship, and I will be joining a different company (hopefully soon). The main reason I chose this program was for the internship and to get in-person experience abroad, so it is frustrating that there have been difficulties, but I am working to get them resolved.

Before I stepped on the plane to fly over, my mother gave me the idea to create a list of goals to work towards during my time here. The first goal I came up with was to keep an open mind and look for the positives in every experience here, no matter the circumstances. Being able to study and work in the UK is an amazing opportunity, and I would hate to dim that experience with a negative attitude. My second goal is to say “yes” to (almost) every opportunity thrown at me. Whether it is a group outing to a pub or restaurant, a show or a concert, or a trip to another country, I made the goal to simply say yes. Traveling to a new environment with a unique and diverse culture, there are so many ways to immerse myself, and I would not want to miss out on it. My third goal is to learn and discover what I truly want to do with my career post-grad. Currently, I do not have one set career path that I want to follow, but I am hoping with my time here I can learn more about myself and about the business world and all of the in between.

All in all, my first week has been eventful and memorable. I have met a great group of friends who are down for any adventure. I have explored the coolest areas and seen bucket list landmarks. I have experienced the hottest day to date in London with no air conditioning to combat it. I have eaten Indian food for the first time—it was life-changing. And I have mastered navigating the tube. Even with the complications with my internship, I am still making the most of my time here. I am so grateful for this opportunity and for being able to share my experience with the world. Thank you for reading and learning about my first week in the UK. I will catch you guys soon!

Cheers,
Rebecca Young