by Kelley Blankenship
University of Worcester, England
**British accent**
I found myself on Friday morning finally starting to get the flow of pedestrian traffic down. Since the regular car traffic is opposite, then naturally, foot traffic would be the same. For the first four days I was in Worcester, I kept trying to pass everyone on the right, or I would just shrink back until they passed because I wouldn't know which side they were going to take. But on Friday morning, I noticed myself just naturally hugging the left side of the sidewalk! I think I'll have a reverse shock when I get back to the States.
On Friday night, the International Committee hosted a Welcome Party for old and new international students in The Pear Tree, the pub on campus. The party was complete with mingling, chatting, playing giant Jenga, pictures, and beer. At around 9 or 9:30, everyone decided to move on to the city, where we would continue our party further. We started off at a place called the Courtyard. There was a bar, and small dance floor, and many places to sit. After waiting an extremely long time to get something to drink, I then had to explain to the bartender how to swipe my card through the machine.
(At this point in my first week, I had tried numerous ATMs, or cash points, to withdraw money with my debit card. Because my debit card did not have a special chip in it, which is apparently normal in Europe, my card was unable to be read. The ATM would then proceed to beep loudly at me until I grabbed the card. Fortunately, I was finally able to withdraw money from the ATM at a very large, more global bank in the city center.)
Once everyone had had a few drinks and felt more in the mood to dance, we made our way over to a nightclub called Tramps... yes, that's really what it's called. Since I didn't have any cash, I was extremely happy to find out that students could get in for free before 12:00! Once everyone checked their coats and got settled, the dancing began.... So much fun I tell you! I will definitely be going back for sure :)
On Saturday, we had an early start after a late night. At 10 am, some of us met up with Murray, one of the student helpers, and led us to the Worcester Cathedral, where we met up with a local tour guide. On a day that cold and windy, it was difficult to stay focused on the interesting history of Worcester and not the fact that your fingers and toes were freezing. Through all of the frigid weather, we made it through the tour successfully. After the tour, Michel, Tamara, and I went off to find some food and have a seat. Just when I thought I was going to walk back to campus and crawl into bed, a Mozzarella Tomato and Pesto sandwich saved the day! We all felt a little better after our lunch and proceeded down High Street to shop :)
After spending a little too much money, we headed back to campus along the River Severn watching the swans beg for bread and the sun falling behind St. John's. It was a nice end to the day!
Sunday was definitely a day of rest. Since we had nothing scheduled for us, most of the internationals just had a lazy day (from what I could tell). At 2pm, some of the guys decided to go down to play a game of football (soccer). I went down to watch, and the shortly after, went for a run myself down by the river. Sunday ended with a much needed chocolate and ice cream run with Tamara... :)
"Where ever you go, go with all your heart."
University of Worcester, England
**British accent**
I found myself on Friday morning finally starting to get the flow of pedestrian traffic down. Since the regular car traffic is opposite, then naturally, foot traffic would be the same. For the first four days I was in Worcester, I kept trying to pass everyone on the right, or I would just shrink back until they passed because I wouldn't know which side they were going to take. But on Friday morning, I noticed myself just naturally hugging the left side of the sidewalk! I think I'll have a reverse shock when I get back to the States.
On Friday night, the International Committee hosted a Welcome Party for old and new international students in The Pear Tree, the pub on campus. The party was complete with mingling, chatting, playing giant Jenga, pictures, and beer. At around 9 or 9:30, everyone decided to move on to the city, where we would continue our party further. We started off at a place called the Courtyard. There was a bar, and small dance floor, and many places to sit. After waiting an extremely long time to get something to drink, I then had to explain to the bartender how to swipe my card through the machine.
(At this point in my first week, I had tried numerous ATMs, or cash points, to withdraw money with my debit card. Because my debit card did not have a special chip in it, which is apparently normal in Europe, my card was unable to be read. The ATM would then proceed to beep loudly at me until I grabbed the card. Fortunately, I was finally able to withdraw money from the ATM at a very large, more global bank in the city center.)
Once everyone had had a few drinks and felt more in the mood to dance, we made our way over to a nightclub called Tramps... yes, that's really what it's called. Since I didn't have any cash, I was extremely happy to find out that students could get in for free before 12:00! Once everyone checked their coats and got settled, the dancing began.... So much fun I tell you! I will definitely be going back for sure :)
On Saturday, we had an early start after a late night. At 10 am, some of us met up with Murray, one of the student helpers, and led us to the Worcester Cathedral, where we met up with a local tour guide. On a day that cold and windy, it was difficult to stay focused on the interesting history of Worcester and not the fact that your fingers and toes were freezing. Through all of the frigid weather, we made it through the tour successfully. After the tour, Michel, Tamara, and I went off to find some food and have a seat. Just when I thought I was going to walk back to campus and crawl into bed, a Mozzarella Tomato and Pesto sandwich saved the day! We all felt a little better after our lunch and proceeded down High Street to shop :)
After spending a little too much money, we headed back to campus along the River Severn watching the swans beg for bread and the sun falling behind St. John's. It was a nice end to the day!
Sunday was definitely a day of rest. Since we had nothing scheduled for us, most of the internationals just had a lazy day (from what I could tell). At 2pm, some of the guys decided to go down to play a game of football (soccer). I went down to watch, and the shortly after, went for a run myself down by the river. Sunday ended with a much needed chocolate and ice cream run with Tamara... :)
"Where ever you go, go with all your heart."