Day 9

13.9.18

I have so many mixed emotions occurring all at once inside of me. I am glad to be over here. London continues to surprise me every day. But I also hate it here. I can't stand how slow they are over here, and I feel as if I am not getting the whole story somehow. I know it sounds crazy, but I feel like there are things they aren't telling us. Aidan feels the same way. I also feel like the US is a society where we help people if they don't understand. If you don't get it, we will try our best to help you figure it out. I do not get that feeling over here, but instead, I get thrown to the wolves. Aidan thinks it is part of the culture where they already want to be understood instead of having to explain themselves.

Why did I think this was going to be easy? I thought that since I spoke English, I could just come over here and it will be simple. It is hard work, and it is stressful and a lot to deal with. I am having to assimilate to a new culture, school, and community while trying to navigate my way around a new city without getting hit by a car all at once. Don't get me wrong, I would not change my mind about coming here, but it is more then I thought it was going to be.

I am thankful for this trip however because I get to spend time with people I would have hardly talked to back home. I still have yet to make any friends with people not from America, but that will come. I have met people from Philadelphia, D.C. and New York. I am also getting to know the other AQ students since I only knew Aidan when we came over here. I knew of the others but this time aboard is allowing us to come together when we might not have gotten the chance back home.