I will never forget the day I left, and how I was trying to hold it together all day, only to fall apart in the airport bathroom. Once getting on the plane it began to feel more real, and 9 hours later I found myself in the country I had been dreaming of, and longing for, for so long. We were greeted by our own driver (who sang us karaoke and goes by karaokeith, and he is also available for birthdays if you are in need). We then drove through the English countryside before arriving at the University of Kent, my home for the next 6 months.
After attempting to settle in and explore our little home, Alex and I went on the most important quest of the day... to find food. The campus was still closed and only one cafe was open, so choices were limited. After eating an unsatisfying caesar salad, I was hit with the sudden realization that I did not know what I was getting myself into, and the possibility that our stay here may not be as magical as I had previously believed began to sink in. Thankfully, I have the best sisters and support system back home who went to the lengths of ordering us a pizza from Canada, as we still do not have a UK phone number! The first night was quickly turned around as we then got to spend it with Juan Pablo and a pepperoni pizza!
The first weekend was full of events and spontaneity. The University of Kent put on events for all the international students. We had an international dinner (with a magician!), and we met the best girls from Belgium and Norway, who we have quickly become friends with! The next day they took us all grocery shopping. I have found that no matter where I am, grocery shopping will always make me homesick... and I heavily believe that every town should have a Safeway, it's the only way to grocery shop!
Alex and I were quite homesick our first few days, so we decided that in order to get us out of our funk we needed a bit of an adventure before classes began. So, we booked our tickets and decided that we would spend our Saturday in London!
On Sunday we went with the international students to Dover Castle. It was so beautiful and I felt like I was living out all my childhood fantasies as we were wandering and exploring the castle grounds. The Dover Castle is right by the sea, which I loved as being an island girl I love being able to see the water. We were able to roam the secret tunnels of the castle and the history lover in me really came out. Just thinking of how many people had gone through those tunnels and walked through those halls put me in awe. The coolest part of the castle is that we went into the very tunnel that they planned the Dunkirk evacuations. It made me realize how lucky I am to be able to study abroad in England for my English and History studies, because everything I am/have learned about are coming to life right before me!
I'm still terrified that this adventure might cause me to fall flat on my face and one day I will be hit with the realization that I was not ready to do this. But I have been waiting and dreaming about this for so long, that I know there is no turning back now, and I will have to push myself to turn this experience into one of the best of my life. Everyone always says that they never came back from their exchange as the same person they were when they left. I hope this is true for me. I hope I go back to Canada as a girl who is more independent and sure of herself... but stay a girl who will still text her sisters when she is about to set her kitchen on fire (but more on that later).
