DALLAS COOK
London Columnist
DALLAS COOK/Staff Photographer
As I sit nestled in my four-person bedroom we so lovingly call “The Dungeon,” in Pepperdine’s house in London, I realize what a huge adjustment it is living with 40 people. Although spread among separate floors, it can be challenging, but a great experience of both learning and tolerance of others.
Thus far it seems that we have a great group dynamic. However, sleepless weekend trips along with weakened immunity systems leads to lots of stuffy noses and coughs.
“If one person gets sick, everyone gets sick,” said housemate Krista Bowers.
Traveling plus the full school load takes a toll on many students who are not used to so much hustle and bustle. Once one housemate gets sick, there is no private area to be quarantined and recover. Conversely, those who are not yet sick are more easily susceptible to contracting the illness.
Outsiders might view it just like dorm life. There are many similarities to dorm life, but it is a lot more complicated than that.
In my room, we have all-night slumber parties during the week. We all get ready for bed, but instead stay up talking for hours. It is these types of things that make our group really close.
Aside from living in the same house, we are all taking classes with the same people every day.
Because there is not a house cook or chef, Monday through Wednesday evenings we attend group dinners where all 40 of us go out to a restaurant together.
These are great for mingling with a different group of people each evening and getting to know each other but also make it difficult to branch out and explore London unless we stay in town on the weekends.
Because of the expensive exchange rate, lunchtime is an interesting sight. Everyone goes grocery shopping to save cash from eating out. We all attempt to fix lunch simultaneously in a five square foot kitchen. Those of us who did not grow up in a large family have definitely learned the meaning of patience and sharing.
We have formed a community here. We have breakfast together every morning. On Monday nights there are small group Bible studies. Sunday nights we have house church in host Dr. David Holmes’ flat. These are smaller group opportunities for fellowship and worship together.
Apart from organized group activities we often all get together and watch movies in the student lounge or gather around the Internet café to plan weekend trips and find the cheapest flights.
A system of support among house members has developed as well. The guys don’t let the girls go off alone and they make sure that we’re all safe after a night out and no one is left alone.
At times it’s difficult to have a sense of privacy and individuality, but that is all part of the international experience. In all the chaos, there is the urge for one to venture out.
I find myself walking around Hyde Park, soaking in the fact that I live in the best city in the world. It is times like these when I realize how lucky we are to have this time overseas. Each and every one of us will grow as individuals and as a group through this experience.
We are not just 40 people living together in a house. We are a community, a family supporting each other and experiencing some of the greatest memories that we will forever cherish.
02-02-2006
