Submitted by Anne Grae Martin on the 2015 fall semester study abroad program in London, England…
Another busy week here! Classes have really picked up by now (I had two presentations to do this week) but they all are very interesting. My favorite activity this week was going to Shakespeare’s Globe to see Measure for Measure with my Shakespeare class. To get the full Shakespeare experience, we stood on the floor with the Groundlings. Despite the pain in my feet from having to stand for 3 1/2 hours, it was a worthwhile experience. It had been on my bucket list since 6th grade when we read our first Shakespeare play (Midsummer Night’s Dream) in my English class. I would probably go for seats next time, but it was a great performance.
This weekend I went to Brussels and Bruges in Belgium. I was able to meet up with a friend from high school who is also studying in Europe (Maastricht, Netherlands) which was a great experience. When we were planning our trip, she asked me what I wanted to do in Belgium. I answered, “Eat all the waffles!” And while there are some waffles left in Belgium, I think we put a pretty solid dent in the amount that the country has. We took a waffle making class and got to learn about all the different types of waffles and the history of the delicious food.
Leaving London made me realize how comfortable I’ve become in this city in just a short amount of time. When I was taken away from my comfortable flat, my oyster card that will get me almost anywhere, and a large population of people who speak my language, I realized how wonderful London is. I gained such an appreciation for how much I’ve grown in this city by leaving it.