University of Arkansas Office of Study Abroad: A Birthday Abroad #HogsAbroad in England

Hello, hello!

I want to thank everyone for the birthday wishes and update you on how my day was! Initially I was disappointed that I would be away from my friends for my 21st birthday. I felt that not getting to partake in the traditional celebration on Dickson Street was a bummer, until it dawned on me: I get to spend my birthday in England (!!) – a country that I have been in love with since I was eleven.

Something that made my birthday exceptional was that I got to spend it with my childhood friend, Ella. Coincidentally, we share the same birthday and celebrated together when we were younger. We met at Cambridge University and stayed with a good friend, Rachael, who studies psychology there. My journey to Cambridge was quite an adventure. It was my first time navigating the trains by myself and I am still amazed that my only issues involved getting closed between the unyielding train doors and accidentally ending up in a First Class coach.

Our birthday began cream tea at a (posh) tea room called Harriet’s followed by a personal tour of Cambridge from our friend Rachael. She was able to take us to the places that tourists are not allowed to go because she is a student. We got to explore the chapels in each college and walk through the gardens. My birthday could have ended there and I would still have put it in the books as the best birthday yet, but my day continued to unfold with celebration.

Side Note:

Despite it being in the middle of winter, the grass here in England is always green, and Cambridge is no exception. My first thought when I saw the beautiful lawns in the courtyards of Cambridge was how I wanted to run across them doing cartwheels. I am glad I didn’t follow my initial impulse to do so, because Rachael quickly informed me that no one is allowed to step foot on the grass unless you are a professor.

Back to the birthday:

In the evening, Rachael, Ella and I attended a choral service at the renowned King’s College Chapel. The choir sounded like angels (not to mention they are the most famous choir in Cambridge). The architecture was breathtaking, but unfortunately no photography was allowed indoors. During a moment of transition in the service we were interrupted by a sound I initially thought was the organ playing. The deacon announced (in a posh British accent): “That is the sound of the chapel alarm. We will exit at the east door and the choir will proceed first.” As we exited I managed to sneak a photo of the ceiling (rebel I know), but what happened after made my day even more. We got to stand on the forbidden grass! Honestly, it is the little things that made my birthday so wonderful.

The remaining birthday hours consisted of an authentic Chinese dinner, trivia night at a pub, and more celebrating with Cambridge friends. In short, I had the best time celebrating in Cambridge and I cannot wait to return in the future.

XX