SHANNON URTNOWSKI
London Columnist
As I sit in my six-person dorm room in the London House eating out of my pint of Haagen-Daas, images and memories of my past two weeks spent in London start frantically passing through my mind.
I am 5,461 miles from Pepperdine, and the new and exciting sights and sounds of England pour over me like waves off the Malibu coast.
For example, I am starting to think of prices in terms of pounds, which about double the U.S. dollar, and say, “Cheers,” in restaurants and shops instead of, “Thanks.”
I have met many new friends, some of whom felt as I did upon arriving in London and some of whom have been studying here for months and know the city well.
Regardless of our experience, we have all been exploring the city and its vast treasures together.
For those who are unfamiliar with the treasures of which I speak, let me name a few.
Food here, though lacking the spice and zest of American food, is actually pretty good.
I had come to London expecting to find nothing but the traditional fish and chips, but restaurants here have everything from Thai to American.
I have had the opportunity to try a number of new restaurants, as the London House goes out to dinner together Mondays through Wednesdays.
I can already tell that I could go out to eat at different restaurants in London every night of the semester and not visit them all.
Transportation here is really easy. I have a car at home readily awaiting my return, but public transportation here is definitely the way to go. I have been taking advantage of the buses and underground tube.
The tube serves as London’s underground metro, and it is a very popular mode of transportation in the city. Its 12 lines take passengers to various stops throughout the greater London area, making getting to where you need to go easier than ever.
Our house is in such a central area in London, walking has been a great way to get around, as well. It is an extra bonus that my legs are benefiting from the workout. Getting around in London is fast, easy and convenient.
And, as I learned after my first week here, everywhere in London is worth
seeing: even if you do not mean to go there.
Some new friends and I were trying to get to Piccadilly Circus for dinner during our second night in London, and we decided to walk down Birdcage Walk, a main city street, to get there.
After about 15 minutes we found ourselves on the other side of town, going in the opposite direction than expected.
But where we ended up was special in its own right — we were smack dab in front of Buckingham Palace. I am convinced that there is rarely a time when one can be lost altogether in London.
For those who want to get away from the city for the weekend, it is no problem.
I just returned from a weekend in Barcelona, Spain. It was an adventure traveling to such an amazing city, complete with beautiful beaches and cathedrals, but it also made me realize how much I truly love the London House.
It already feels like a second home to me. I was welcomed by a bed I found I had greatly missed and a number of friendly faces that I could tell were truly happy to see me.
I am a new kid to the year-long London program, one of about 20 in this position. We were welcomed at the London House by about the same number of returning students.
Arriving midway through the semester not really knowing any one in the program was intimidating during my first few days in London. It was a challenge I knew I was going to meet.
I felt unsure about leaving my comfortable and safe home, but, looking back, I realize that fearing the unknown was a big mistake.
My life was sheltered, but I was not truly living. Southern California, in all its sunny, sandy glory, was the only home I had ever known.
Living in London has taught me that the world is a much more diverse place than I had ever realized. Cultures vary. Languages vary. Values vary.
We live in a world made up of so many different people and places, and stepping outside of my bubble has given me a new appreciation for that which is different.
No one should be limited by their fears. As the time passes here, I become more and more grateful that I have been given the opportunity to learn this early in life.
So, welcome to new experiences; the semester has only just begun.
01-25-2007