It's been a while since I've written. That's due to a few reasons, one being that I didn't have internet in my flat until last week, the other being that I am busily trying to keep up with my grad program which is trying to fit the most amount of learning possible into a one-year program. So as I sat pondering a 90 page article comparing U.S. and EU amnesty programs I decided I would rather provide a brief update.
The first question I get from people from home is "Oh my god, do you love London?" I can be helpful and just say yes or I can tell the truth. When it comes to making this decision, it really depends on the time of day and how much energy I have. The first few weeks were terrible. I hated it. I wanted to go home. But then I remembered, a) I don't have a "home" anymore, and b) I have no job prospects without a graduate degree. I was helpfully reminded the other day that I did not join the army, this is actually a temporary situation, so I should just buck up and get through it. This in mind, I decided to make the best of this opportunity.
That being said, things have steadily improved. I am making some friends, I do manage to do some fun things from time to time, I sometimes even smile. I really do love my program and the professors I am working with. I am thrilled by the amount of opportunities my school provides for augmenting my program through conferences or public lectures. I also enjoy the people in my program, we have different motivations for choosing this path and that diversity has been a huge benefit in the classroom.
I am optimistic that at the end of all this I will have partaken at least a bit in London life and seen a few interesting places. Perhaps there is even a possibility for a long-term life in Europe. But for now it's nose in the books.
I will say this: stop commenting to me about the London rain. It doesn't rain that much. In fact, the weather is gorgeous. I have admired plenty of beautiful sunny days...from my couch as I read about the fundamental theories of nationalism.
The first question I get from people from home is "Oh my god, do you love London?" I can be helpful and just say yes or I can tell the truth. When it comes to making this decision, it really depends on the time of day and how much energy I have. The first few weeks were terrible. I hated it. I wanted to go home. But then I remembered, a) I don't have a "home" anymore, and b) I have no job prospects without a graduate degree. I was helpfully reminded the other day that I did not join the army, this is actually a temporary situation, so I should just buck up and get through it. This in mind, I decided to make the best of this opportunity.
That being said, things have steadily improved. I am making some friends, I do manage to do some fun things from time to time, I sometimes even smile. I really do love my program and the professors I am working with. I am thrilled by the amount of opportunities my school provides for augmenting my program through conferences or public lectures. I also enjoy the people in my program, we have different motivations for choosing this path and that diversity has been a huge benefit in the classroom.
I am optimistic that at the end of all this I will have partaken at least a bit in London life and seen a few interesting places. Perhaps there is even a possibility for a long-term life in Europe. But for now it's nose in the books.
I will say this: stop commenting to me about the London rain. It doesn't rain that much. In fact, the weather is gorgeous. I have admired plenty of beautiful sunny days...from my couch as I read about the fundamental theories of nationalism.
