First Day of School

Today Emily and I went off to experience the Monday rush on the tube. The Northern Line wasn't bad; we were able to have seats. The Victoria line was packed though so we were squashed like sausages just like they said we would be.

It only took 1/2 hour which was good timing, so we were early. We hung out in the lobby of the University of Westminster, which looks like a museum inside...it's beautiful. Then they gathered us and we had our orientation. Plastic envelopes with snaps are a thing here. Every time I get something it comes in one of those! Anyway we all received a packet which included Westminster information, transport info, an A-Z London guide (which is awesome), some papers, and our ID cards. We also were given a Study Abroad t-shirt =)

After orientation we went to the Cavendish campus (we were at Regeants) and had a complimentary lunch. There were sandwiches, chips, and fruit along with water, OJ, cranberry juice, and apple juice. The sandwiches were broken up into Vegetable, Fish, and Meat. The thing was that they listed everything out on the menu stands and there were 6-8 sandwiches per menu. So it was a lot to read but it didn't even matter because everything was cut up and mixed together so you had no idea what you were grabbing exactly. In my opinion, I enjoyed everything I tried, but then again I'm not picky. I tried the OJ and cranberry juice too and they were good but not strong.

Another British local also complimented me on my wellies today. I must be doing something right!!

Then it was time for class, so some of us headed back to Regeant's. By the way, this campus was more modern but it still looked like a museum. Everything is fancy.

When we got to campus, we were early so we wandered around to kill some time. We then  went to class and our professor came in one minute before 1 and said, "Oh, there you are! I found you!" Apparently he went to Cavendish to meet us and take us over so we wouldn't be lost and was told to wait for us there, but we were told at the same time to come over so we left and he was waiting. He was like well we are off to a good start, aren't we? haha


I am just going to share a couple of things that he said, because let's face it I think he is hilarious. One of which is when he said we should bring drinks if we want for the Globe (oh yea we are taking a field trip to see Richard III at the Globe, tickets paid for, which is great b/c that was on my to-do list!), because they charge 5 pound 50 for hardly any wine. And that is when he said we should brown bag it lol.

Another funny is when we talked about music for a second and he asked us if we were all Americans or if we had students from other countries...turns out my class there are only Americans. So he said, "Great I don't have to watch what I say about music because we both have good music. Have you heard Italian Pop? It's terrible, just terrible! French Rock n Roll? It makes you want to puke!"

I think he is great and I just love the humor. For those of you that forgot, I'm in the course, London: Culture Capital of the World, which he wanted to clarify something about that title. He mentioned that when they came to him a few years ago asking about what the course title should be he said that as a joke. But then a few weeks later he received some info for the class, saw that title, and laughed. He was like "It was merely a joke! And they took it seriously!"

Today we went over the schedule and chatted about who we were. We went over and introduction to Britain and talked about the history of politics to get us started. It's very interesting to think of what we learn vs. other cultures. Like we learn a certain history and focus on our important stuff, but today we had a view of what Britains cover in their courses.

Anywho, we were let out a 1/2 hour early which put us at 3:30 and I was exhausted. BTW for his class we are actually 9:30 to 1 which means it starts 1/2 hour before what other classes are, but he said at 10:30 will have 1/2 hour coffee breaks and continue at 11. I love this place. And then on Wednesdays we have our field trips and so class is actually 9:30-5. That's kind of crazy but at the same time I like that these things fit in so I don't have to worry about it myself.

So after class, Sara, Emily, and I headed home. Emily and I stopped at the grocery store again. I really didn't buy much except 5 litres of water and a Coca-cola. I don't really drink soda but I wanted to taste it and see if there was a difference. It is slightly different. It doesn't make your teeth feel sticky and it is almost a little spicier like China Cola but not spicy. It's a skinny bottle too, like a mini but the cap is still big.

Then I showered, took a nice nap, skyped and wrote my posts. I wanted a day to relax though because I was beat. Plus I needed a plan of action for my excursions before I set off again. But for now, it's off to bed and start again tomorrow!