Assignment 9: Reflection on time in the UK

As I sit here writing this, I honestly can't believe this time is here already.  I go home in two weeks, which is extremely bittersweet.  As much as I absolutely LOVE this place, there really is no place like home.  This experience has transformed me and caused me to get a little taste of what the rest of the world has to offer and I wouldn't trade it for anything!

I feel like my time here has taught me countless things that I'll probably never be able to articulate onto paper, but I'll do my best.

1. There is nothing like having great friends to support you during such a crazy time.
2. ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK THE TIMES ON YOUR TRAIN TICKETS.
3. Have an open mind in new situations, because those are times when you grow the most.
4. Keep your mouth shut on the tube if you don't want to be hated by all your fellow passengers.

I am so incredibly grateful that I was able to work in another country (even though it's not completely different from the US).  It's so helpful to have the perspectives of your bosses who have lived and worked internationally, and learn from their mistakes.  My internship was some of the best work experience I've had thus far, and it is all material that I can transfer to my career.  

I wish I would have had time to blog more regularly to share specific stories, but unfortunately that's not the case.  I think one of the things I will miss most about London is the business of everything - ALL the time.  No matter what time of day or night it is, there is always something to do.  That isn't always the case in Pella... ;)  It's also amazing to me that I am within walking distance from countless landmarks that are known around the world.  I wish that I could have had my entire group of friends and family here for the whole experience so they would understand completely what's happened while I've been here.  It's never the same trying to articulate a situation over Skype!

I've been thinking over the last week of all the things I'm going to miss most.  Just to name a few...

1. The tube - you can get anywhere in the city in under a half hour.
2. Outdoor markets - food doesn't get fresher than this, and there's nothing like a good bargain after haggling for a while. :)
3. Ordering a beer at a pub and not getting carded.
1. Strongbow on tap.
4. Random people playing music around town.
5. Reading in the parks on nice days.
6. Expecting to walk everywhere instead of driving a block to the cafeteria.
7. Living in a space with 30 other college students that understand the experience you're going through.
8. Traveling anywhere in Europe for ridiculously cheap.

I know that I'm going to be excited to be back in the states for about a week... then I think I'm going to miss this place like crazy.  I don't know if it's a place that I could see myself living in long term, but I think this has been a priceless experience that has grown me as a person in ways I never could have imagined.