I could not think of a better way to end my undergraduate career.
Influential Moments:One thing's for sure -- a city as iconic and rich in history as London will never allow a person to remain unchanged after visiting.
London was full of influential moments. Everything I experienced moved me and shaped me into a better traveler, student, and person, from the 'big things' -- touring the Houses of Parliament, taking class tours, attending Westminster Abbey's and St. Paul's services, seeing some of Princess Diana's most famous dresses, viewing London from 800 feet above in the Shard and gratifyingly realizing how small I am in comparison to this HUGE world -- to the 'little things' that made a grand impact on me. These include my first and last Tube rides, buying an early morning bitter flat white alone in a coffee shop the size of a closet swarmed with finely dressed business people, and getting to know the city by getting lost in it. The most influential part of my London trip occurred within my last few hours in London. I went to see the Big Ben one last time, in the frigid England rain, and as I was standing on Westminster Bridge, I saw him light up for the night and I even caught it on camera as an extra special farewell. As I was standing on that bridge, I reflected on how everybody that has walked across this bridge and roamed this gorgeous city has a life as unique, complex, and vivid as my own -- which I learned is called the emotion of 'sonder' -- one we often feel but are unsure how to describe it. It was a moment I will always remember as brightly as I saw Big Ben shine that night. There was a lot of unexpected, but what I expected least hit me when I expected it least, because it was after the trip was over and I was home. London had always been a "little girl dream" of mine -- the high fashion, the city lights, the architecture -- but it also seemed very far-fetched, something I could only think about until this study abroad opportunity came along and showed me it was fate. This city ended up meaning so much more to me than what that little girl version of me romanticized it as. And now that I am home, it seems considerably more accessible than I would have ever thought (or than it actually really is). At times, I feel as if London is still outside my window, and some of the world's most loved and recognizable structures are an Underground ride away, or as if London itself is only an hour or two away when going back would require crossing oceans. It is much more of a reality now, because it made such an impact on me. It never fails to amaze me that an airplane can take me from the world's most visited city to my quiet, country hometown of Brooksville, Florida. I indefinitely surprised myself on this trip. I am often afraid to go some places because of how easily I get lost. But being in London activated my internal compass like it had never been before. I fearlessly went out into the ginormous city alone to do what I wanted to do, and that in itself surprised me. It is an empowering thing to be able to navigate a large city and its public transportation system - it enhances self-starting and courageous qualities. I felt extremely comfortable here, which is unfortunately a feeling I do not experience very often due to anxiety and predisposed worries. London removed those and let me live. If a place moves you so much that you cry when you have to leave the train station for the last time, you know it's special.
Applications to Learning: London opened many doors that opened my eyes.
I have always been passionate about the environment -- recycling, wildlife and nature conservation, you name it. However, I always thought this was more of a personal interest and inclination than something I could turn into a career. I was wrong. During the Public Health in London seminar, we took many tours related to environmental science and health. I loved the wading through a creek in thigh high boots, holding leeches and crab shells, seeing the Thames Barrier, and learning about the Tideway Tunnel project. Particularly, I am interested in the relationship between the built environment and the public's health. For example, there are opportunities to incorporate methods of primordial prevention into public transportation, such as installing an extra set of closed plexiglass doors that align with the subway’s doors when the train pulls into the station. When the train doors open, the plexiglass doors open simultaneously. This prevents people from falling onto the tracks on crowded platforms and getting hit by a train, which actually happened a few stops before ours when we planned to take the Tube to Camden Town .As an aspiring attorney, I can intertwine this with the law and pave the way for a career that becomes closer everyday. The options can be overwhelming, but absorbing everything possible from once-in-a-lifetime moments such as these can sway you more than you predicted if you let your guard down and follow your heart.
Health and Well-being: Never forget good walking shoes. Your feet are important.
I did not find staying healthy while abroad difficult. Walking everywhere made me feel like I did enough cardio for the rest of my life, or at least making up for where I have been lacking. I like to skip all of that running stuff and make a beeline for the strength training floor. I brought good walking shoes, but I decided to buy some ballet flats in London that I thought were cute and affordable. I wore them twice and my toes STILL hurt. Luckily, I could just place them in the donation box in the dorm because maybe they will fit someone else better. Never again. To improve my health and well-being while abroad, I should have been more consistent with hydrating myself, as well as regularly taking probiotics and vitamins to maintain consistent levels of them in my body. The weather was often cool so I was not tempted to drink as much, but it can be very drying and it is easy to overlook how many more fluids you are losing in drier climates. My body got adjusted to British food after awhile, but I still should have stayed on top of taking probiotics and vitamins everyday.
When I was planning my trip to London, I created a list of experiences I was hoping to have. However, I was unaware of the amount of places I would see or the things I was going to witness or of their great magnitudes. Navigating London was not always easy and sometimes ambiguous. I not only mean finding my way around the city, but harvesting the ability to immerse myself in a culture with customs I did not know. When with others, open-mindedness and being a productive team player was required to see as much as possible and maximize the experience for the group as a whole. This leads into cultural adaptability. I have had experiences from touring old castles to attending an early morning church service different from my own religion to not knowing the procedure for placing my order at a pub. London is a city extremely rich in history, and it is important to understand and be sensitive to the fact that perceptions change overtime, and this shapes a culture. London was a great introductory abroad experience because there was no real language barrier. However, I did learn some British vernacular and found it interesting how the same word can have two different meanings in two different countries. Public health is a field that definitely requires one to have knowledge of international affairs and global issues, because many of which directly impact health status of populations around the world. As an aspiring lawyer, these topics are naturally interests of mine, and traveling to London provided hands-on opportunities to enhance my understanding of them. Traveling changes a person, and concluding my undergraduate career in London presented avenues to me that I never before considered, such as studying Environmental Health for a graduate degree. I actually felt very comfortable in London, and I surprised myself with how willing I was to go out in a gigantic city on my own and explore things I have only previously dreamed of seeing. As I have previously mentioned, traveling and finding your way in a foreign place demonstrates bravery, independence, responsibility, and self-starter tendencies, all of which are desirable characteristics in an increasingly global marketplace. Employers and higher education institutions want to recruit people who have the ability to motivate themselves and effectively lead others, which are inclinations that are evident by choosing to study abroad, and also amplified through the experience. Currently, I am applying and interviewing for full-time jobs. I graduate this upcoming Saturday, and interview practice could not be more useful at this point. If an employer were to ask me the following questions, this is how I would respond:
Q: We are proud to have a very diverse team here in the office. What experience do you have working with people from backgrounds different than your own, and how do you think those experiences relate to the workplace? A: Through my undergraduate years as a Public Health student, I have gotten involved in various causes that serve and work with diverse populations, such as tutoring refugee students and fundraising for Children’s Miracle Network, a group of pediatric hospitals that turns no child away. When I decided to conclude my college career by studying abroad in London, I sought to enhance my passion for working with people from backgrounds different than my own, and through this, I learned about the distinct cultural perspectives of the British. I developed an appreciation for their view on aspects such as smaller food portion sizes and a much greater simplicity when it comes to material possessions than we are familiar with in America. London is a city rich in history, and this history has shaped their culture and perceptions overtime. In terms of a workplace, it is extremely pertinent to be understanding and sensitive to the fact that other cultural perspectives and backgrounds influence how people function and perform in the office, as well as how people behave on the client side when they are receiving the services your workplace offers. Q: We understand that you have just graduated from college and thus do not have as many years of work experience as other applicants. What skills can you bring to the table as a recent graduate? A: Throughout my undergraduate career, I have submerged myself in opportunities that allow me to place myself outside of the comfort zone I am familiar with. This includes drawing my undergraduate experience to a close by studying abroad in London. Making the decision to fly halfway across the globe on your own to study shows bravery, independence, and willingness to learn. Having the ability to dive in and navigate a busy public transportation system, find your way around a bustling city while being punctual, and immerse yourself in a foreign culture demonstrates initiative, ambition, leadership, and self-starting tendencies. From previous work experience, I have found all of these to be transferable skills that I finally had the perfect opportunity to polish. One thing’s for sure, I can promise London that I will be back one day, with people I love, to show them my favorite, most iconic city in the world. Until next time, London. Thank you for being everything and beyond, and being the perfect end to the rollercoaster ride of my undergraduate career.