Little Things I Learned from My Studying Abroad Experience
I have been in London since September 2018. I have learned that there are a few differences between Claremont and London, or Scripps and the London School of Economics (LSE). Being in London is like a dream come true for me. It is gorgeous all around, and the best thing I love most is the energy of a big city and its people. I am fascinated by how diverse London is. There has not been a day when I do not come across a non-English conversation, and personally, I find something comforting about that fact. I think it is a sense of the city’s acceptance of diversity and its welcome. It feels like although I am alone in this big city, I am surrounding by other individuals, who are similar to me and are working to achieve their dream just like I am.
Unlike Claremont, which is usually very calm all year long, London always has exciting new things happening every week if not every day. There are always social events, festivals, and quite often protests. I notice that such things happen so frequently that local people are used to them, hence their tepid response. The city sometimes becomes hectic, and I find myself getting distracted at times, unlike in Claremont, where I could easily find places to stay focused, be productive, or relax. That being said, there are endless activities and places to explore in London, and public transportation is quite convenient, so everywhere around the city feels close. For 7 months, I have been wandering around the city, and every time I still discover another hidden beautiful spot. London never fails to impress me with its charm.
Meanwhile, my school is also every different here from Scripps. I would like to think of Scripps as my “permissive” mom, who would tell their kids “go and explore, but be careful.” Meanwhile, LSE is more like a “neglectful” dad, whose often-used word is “whatever.” When I was with my “permissive” mom, I was given lots of freedom, but I also felt protected. At Scripps, I felt empowered as a woman in a women’s college. I could easily have my voice be heard since each class was very small. Most lecturers recognized me and were very approachable. Scripps made me felt guarded in many ways. All my basic needs were provided, and many kinds of support were available. For example, I would receive email about intentional student support, self-care advice, and even advice on drinking with responsibility and mindfully, etc. It seems to me that I was given the opportunity to have the great college experience possible, while it also was expected to do my best with positive incentives.
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On the other hand, LSE is almost absolutely opposite. The school is large, and so are the lectures. Most of the lecturers are not aware of my existence. The majority of the lectures are recorded and available online, which means attendance is optional. For most of my classes, the final grades are based entirely on final exams only, which is quite an adjustment for me. Moreover, unlike the student residences at Scripps, LSE residences for students are not on campus, and there is no meal plan, which means I have to work on figure out everything myself, which can be fun, yet tiring. Also, the advice on drinking safely would never be expected from an LSE email, and interestingly, the school itself actually has several pubs on campus. These are only some of the differences. There are many other things I find interesting or unexpected. That being said, I have really enjoyed this experience, and find myself learning quite a lot from it. To me, LSE is my “neglectful” dad who never tells me what to do, gives me a complete freedom, but is not willing to protect me either. That means while I could enjoy the complete independence, I have to be more cautious, and be willing to be proactive, to take responsibility and accountability for everything I do.
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One thing that I have learned from my journey is that no matter where it is and no matter how much you think you love or hate it, there will always find both good and bad things about it, yet sometimes I take the good aspects of it for granted. I have realized that as strong as my keen on big city is, it has not always perfect. I love London and my time here, but there are times when I miss Claremont and Scripps. I miss the very peaceful and beautiful village, the supportive college faculties and students, and the feeling of warmness and security, and I am excited to be back after summer.