My Last Cup of Tea #HogsAbroad in England

London Tower Bridge

Well, folks, this is it! The last blog post of my study abroad journey! Was it just me, or did those 12 weeks pass by quickly? I have to admit; I wrote this post earlier than usual because I thoroughly prepared myself for the middle of finals week stress. As much as I love studying like crazy deep into December, I am ready to get home just in time for Christmas!

Unfortunately, I have a final on Friday, and no planes were leaving late enough for me to be able to get to London in time and Saturday (before Christmas) is apparently the most expensive day of the year to fly. So, I have a flight on Sunday, which gives me just enough time to pack up my backpack, go souvenir shopping, and have a last hoorah in London (I’m thinking the London Eye or a West End show – maybe The Lion King!). I’ll get home late on Sunday, just in time for Christmas Eve. I hate that I’m missing most of the holiday season, but I’m sure lucky to have had these experiences and still be home for Christmas with ALL my family!

Last week I took a trip to Clacton-on-sea to see the North Sea before I left and this past weekend I took my last weekend trip to Cambridge, with hopes it would inspire me to study harder. However, it was freezing cold and started pouring rain, and I didn’t feel too inspired. I did, however, see the 3rd generation of the famous apple tree where Sir Isaac Newton watched the apple fall and the building where J.J. Thomson discovered the electron. To wrap the weekend up, I had a last goodbye dinner with my flatmates. Pictures below 🙂

(Clacton-on-sea)

(King’s College)

(Newton’s Apple Tree)

(Flat 2 – University of Essex)

I’m not sure if I have any readers who are considering a term abroad, but if you are – do it! It’s life changing in many ways you’d never expect. If I had to give advice, now that my time is over, I’d say (1) do your research and know your priorities (2) don’t underestimate your ability to figure things out, but also don’t overestimate your on-hand resources and (3) study! But over everything, embrace it! Embrace everything: the uncertainty, the unknown, the uncomfortable, all of it! It’ll be the best time of your life!

I want to thank everyone who kept up with my journey and sent kind words of encouragement! Writing isn’t my strong suit, and writing posts to an anonymous audience made me feel vulnerable. But overall, I’m glad I was able to document my adventures, and I’m sure my mom was thankful to get more than a two-line text update each week!

While I’m excited to go home and get ready to graduate, I know I’ll miss the excitement of travel and new adventures. I don’t doubt I’ll be back in Europe at some point, but it’ll never be in the same context. Because I love numbers, I sat down and figured out some of the stats of my trip – starting on August 28, 2018, and ending on December 18, 2018. Here they are!

22 Planes (and two more to go!)

24 Trains/Long-Ride Buses

17 Hostels/Hotels

1,266,017 Steps

&

567 Miles!

Along with too many taxis/Ubers/metros to count and over 1,000 pictures taken.

Lord knows I’m ready to sleep in my bed, wash my tennis shoes, and throw away my over worn clothes. But I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything, and I’m so blessed to have been given the opportunity! A big thank you to everyone who helped get me here (it was a group effort). A year ago at this time, I was thinking about all the hoops I’d have to jump through to manage a term abroad and if it would even be worth it. Let me tell you; it was ALL worth it.

Soon, I’ll be going home with my luggage a little heavier, my pockets a little lighter, and my heart a LOT more full of gratitude and appreciation. If there are any lingering questions or any traveling job offers down the road, don’t hesitate to contact me at any time.

Happy holidays and a happy new year, to all!

Signing out for the last time, with a smile on my face and a warm cup of tea in my hands.

Cheers,

Brisa B.

--
Industrial Engineering major Brisa Bartczak is spent the Fall 2018 term in England with our U of A Exchange program at the University of Essex, Colchester with the help of our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship and the College of Engineering.

Read more from Brisa at https://sites.uark.edu/bsbartcz/

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

Lessons Learned #HogsAbroad in England

(Prime Meridian)

It’s my last week of classes! I know everyone back home is taking finals, but my finals are next week. Because the finals are the majority of my grade and I have all four, I’m only stressing out a little.

This week I want to briefly mention some of the best lessons I’ve learned while abroad. I can’t believe I have less than two weeks left! In reality, I’ve only been abroad for four months, but it seems like it’s been a lifetime. So, off the top of my head, here are the top five things I’ve learned while traveling and studying overseas.

1. Everyone has a story worth hearing – Everywhere I’ve been I’ve met people with incredible stories. In hostels, I was surrounded by people old and young, and I was always wondering where they were from and where they were going next. I’m especially fascinated with how people travel and move to different countries, and pick up languages as they go. Of course, I didn’t always spend enough time with people to hear their stories, so most of what comes to mind are the tour drivers I chatted with, hearing about how they unknowingly drove a Jordanian prince or even Jay Leno.
2. The world is very big, but also very small – It’s crazy how many times I’ve met people who somehow have a connection to my family or me in some way. It’s also crazy that I traveled all the way to England to become good friends with a girl from Kansas City. Even another girl from Canada and I found out that we were in the same Oktoberfest tent on the same night. Small world.
3. Seize every opportunity…even if it’s an opportunity to relax – I’m exhausted from all the traveling I’ve done (woe is me, right?). My friend once told me that he was glad to be taken off his friend’s flight privileges because he didn’t have to feel guilty when he didn’t use a weekend to fly somewhere new and exciting. I understand now. I felt the need to optimize my time having proximity to places I’ve always wanted to go. But, perhaps, a weekend trip to a London spa would have been just as satisfying as a weekend trip to a new country.
4. Fear of looking stupid should be ignored – I know a lot of people don’t travel because they are afraid they won’t be able to figure things out for themselves or look stupid trying. I have friends who only just now figured out how to buy a train ticket to London because they weren’t sure how to before. Even though I have done things to avoid looking stupid (e.g., I’ve walked extra miles to avoid taking a bus because I wasn’t sure how it worked), now I have no problem asking questions and asking for help. Life is too short to avoid unknowns and wait for someone to show us. I’m sure a lot of people in Europe have judged me for trying to put a metro ticket in the wrong way or waiting extra-long at a table because I didn’t know I had to ask for the check, but quite frankly it doesn’t affect me, and I don’t care. 
5. There’s a lot to gain from living and studying abroad – I think everyone should be given a chance to study abroad! I’ve learned a lot about psychology and British life, but I’ve also learned a lot about myself. There’s something to be said for knowing that you can live in a foreign country and figure it out for yourself. Also, I think it really opens your eyes to a new perspective and ways of life, but also gives you a new found appreciation for your home country. Professionally, it also helps you develop open-mindedness and understand the value of diversity.

If you ask me to make to make this list again next week, I would probably give you five different answers. But that just goes to show how valuable this experience was for me! I truly wish that everyone had the opportunity to study abroad.

Because I am rushing to finish my to-do list before I leave, I spent the weekend in London in museums. I went to the British Museum and saw the Rosetta Stone, which is one of the best things I’ve seen so far. I went to the Imperial War Museum and spent four hours wandering through the exhibits and still ran out of time. Lastly, I went to the Royal Observatory where I stood on the Prime Meridian! Very nerdy, but very satisfying weekend. See you next week for the last update in this blog!

(Prime Meridian)

(Imperial War Museum)

(Twinings Tea Shop)

(British Museum) 

Cheers!
Brisa B.

--
Industrial Engineering major Brisa Bartczak is spending the Fall 2018 term in England with our U of A Exchange program at the University of Essex, Colchester with the help of our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship and the College of Engineering.

Read more from Brisa at https://sites.uark.edu/bsbartcz/

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

Food for Thought #HogsAbroad in England #FoodieFriday

Is it December already? I’m officially headed home this month! I’ve been so busy keeping up with readings and assignments, going to the gym, planning travels, traveling, and trying to combat the post-sunset decline in productivity. I can’t get used to it!

This weekend I took my last international trip to Barcelona! I’ve been to Spain before, Madrid with my best friend four years ago, but I’ve always wanted to go to Barcelona. I was happy that I understood some of the language and the culture is just amazing. Last week was dark and dreary here in England, so I was relieved to see the sun and take my heavy jacket off. The weekend wasn’t long enough, but I managed to see some sights and go to an incredible Flamenco show. I’ve attached some pictures below.

(La Sagrada Familia)

(View From Plane)

(La Rambla)

(Somewhere in Barcelona)

(Park Güell)

This week I want to talk about something I’ve wanted to write about for a while now: food! I’ve been making a list of the best meals I’ve eaten on my travels, and I’m finally ready to share. I have pictures of some the foods, but typically I can’t wait to start eating long enough to snap a picture. Just to be clear, I am not a ‘foodie’ and food has never been the priority on my trips. Of course, if a place is famous for something I would try it, but more than likely I would grab something on the go so I wouldn’t waste time. I’m not a picky eater, and I don’t make a big fuss about quality, but these food moments turned into experiences and memories I will never forget. So let’s go!

Top 5 Favorite Food Experiences:

1. Plate of Rigatoni in Florence, Italy: I don’t have a picture of this one, but it’s something I’ll never forget. I was seated at a table with a couple (because they seat by chairs, not tables) and I remember feeling a bit awkward. Also, it was pretty hot outside, and I was worried about eating hot pasta when I was already sweating. But, once the waiter brought my food, all my cares and concerns went away. It was indeed an Eat, Pray, Love moment. Overall, the pasta in Italy was just so heavenly that I’ve considered taking a weekend trip there just to get another bite.
2. Mussels in Brussels, Belgium: I randomly chose a restaurant in downtown Brussels. I usually don’t sit down to eat on these quick weekend trips because it takes too much time, but I decided it would be worth it in Brussels. I’ve had different experiences eating alone in restaurants abroad, and I always seem to get squeezed into the worst tables because it’s easy to squeeze a table for one. I was seated on a bench between two couples on dates and felt pretty self-conscious because I couldn’t speak French to the waiter. I had to guess reading the menu, but all I knew was that I wanted mussels and a beer. Again, once they placed my pot of mussels on the table, I could’ve cared less about anyone in the room. It was just me and my mussels. They serve the mussels in a stew with celery and onions, and once you eat the mussel, you use the shell as a spoon to get some of the liquid. Absolutely extraordinary.
3. Seafood Chowder in Howth, Ireland: When I was with my grandfather, our tour guide took us to this tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant for lunch. I am the biggest soup person, and it was cold and rainy that day, so I ordered some seafood chowder. I was skeptical because I’m not the biggest seafood eater. But, my fears were assuaged when a big bowl of the creamiest chowder came out, and, boy, was it superb. Howth is a fishing village, so I can only imagine how fresh the seafood was in my chowder (even though I can’t tell you what kind).
4. Gelato in Rome, Italy: I have a terrible sweet tooth, so typically I seek out the best desserts or am more likely to stop for ice cream than eat a meal. Although my experience in Rome wasn’t the best, the gelato absolutely was the best. For some reason, I recall hearing that President Obama loved this gelato so much that he imported it to the States. I actually researched it and couldn’t find any such claim, but I did find where he went when he visited Rome. I figured it must be the best. The place was hard to find, and the worker was not happy, but I picked my flavors and stood outside in the blazing heat trying to eat it before it melted. That first bite (or should I say lick) was unforgettable, as I’ve never had gelato that divine before in my life. There was something so different about it, and through all the gelato I ate in Italy (trust me, it was a lot), that was still the best I’ve ever had.
5. Pierogies in Krakow, Poland: I ate a lot of incredible food in Poland, but I think this experience stands out because it was the first. I was so excited to have a Polish beer and start eating all the foods I’ve grown up eating with my Polish family. I was the only one in the restaurant, and I had the hardest time picking out what I was going to eat first. I took the plunge and ordered the pierogies. They came out hot and fresh and went perfectly with my Tyskie beer. It was delicious, but I paid and walked next door for another meal. I would say that food was my priority in Poland. No regrets!

Honorable Mentions:

• Seafood Paella in Barcelona, Spain: I ate it in a small alleyway restaurant, and it was marvelous!

• Pesto and Seafood Pasta in Liguria, Italy: They caught the seafood that day in the Mediterranean, and the area is known as the home of pesto.
• Käsekrainer in Vienna, Austria: All I ate in Vienna (no joke) was three of these cheese-filled sausages. Scrumptious!
• Hotdog in Copenhagen, Denmark: I was starving when I first arrived, so I grabbed a quick hot dog and noticed how delicious it was. Later I found out that hot dogs are a staple food in Copenhagen, so, of course, I had to get another.
• Falafel Wrap in Colchester, England: I had to include something from the UK, right? But really, I look forward to this food stand that comes to the Thursday market every other week. I’m not even sure what the place is called, but I have stood in a line for 30+ minutes to get their yummy falafel wrap. Let’s hope they are here this Thursday!

I had to stop in the middle of writing this to eat because it made me that hungry. I found it hard to describe these foods and experiences adequately, but I hope you get some idea. I wish you all could try it for yourselves, but be thankful for your waistline you have not. See ya next week!

Cheers!

Brisa B.

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Industrial Engineering major Brisa Bartczak is spending the Fall 2018 term in England with our U of A Exchange program at the University of Essex, Colchester with the help of our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship and the College of Engineering.

Read more from Brisa at https://sites.uark.edu/bsbartcz/

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

Regrets? #HogsAbroad in England

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and did plenty of Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping! I don’t think Black Friday is a big deal here; some stores had sales, but I didn’t go to see if it was crowded or not. As far as updates go, this week is just same old, same old. I can feel the end of the semester approaching quickly, so I am scrambling to keep up with readings, finish my London ‘to-do’ list, and make last-minute travel plans.

This week I want to talk about something I’ve been keeping a list of as the semester has progressed. From the title, you may think they are my regrets, but regret is not the right word. Rather, I want to talk about some things I would have done differently regarding my term abroad. I wouldn’t say I have any regrets, but hindsight is 20/20 and I’m always looking for process improvements. I know there are a bunch of resources with study abroad advice or study abroad tips and tricks, but these are personal and particular examples I want to share.

First of all, I should have planned to have my mother ship me my winter clothes and other items, or at least should have shown up with more than a backpack. I’m not sure what I was thinking. Maybe four months just seemed like a short time, but I should have planned better. To be fair, I have a suitcase at home that I pre-packed with the best of intentions. However, by the time I found out my mother couldn’t visit (and bring the suitcase) I didn’t think it would be worth it to have her ship it. Let me tell you, it would have been worth it. I’ve learned to be resourceful and creative, but, the colder it gets, the more I want my North Face jacket.

Next, I would have been less apathetic about my accommodation. Once again, four months just seemed short, but I feel like my sanity could have been better preserved in a nicer living situation. I don’t recall being given many choices in accommodation, but I do remember not being picky. Knowing myself and my standard of cleanliness, I shouldn’t have left it up to chance and ‘hoped for the best.’ I would love to attach a picture for the people who think I may be exaggerating, but I wouldn’t want to disgust my readers. It’s really that bad. But yet, I’ll survive.

I also would’ve better planned out my weekend trips. To be fair, I wasn’t yet sure of my class schedule, but I should have chosen and ranked the places where I wanted to go most. Usually, when planning these weekend trips, I do it two weeks beforehand and just search Skyscanner for cheap tickets. Of course, I only picked places I wanted to go, but now with time running out, I realize there are places I should have prioritized.

Also, I wish I would have looked into renting a bike when I first got to campus. Relying on the bus system is aggravating and time-consuming, but more importantly, it only runs at certain times. Every time I’ve had an early flight or late arrival I’ve had to take a taxi to and from the bus station back to campus. It’s not a terrible distance, just too far to walk. I probably would make more of an effort to go grocery shopping or go to town if I had a more reliable mode of transportation. Oh well, it’s all been part of the experience!

Less significantly, I wish I would’ve kept stats on the number of planes, trains, taxis, etc., I took and how much time I spent in airports or just traveling. I was talking to my sister today and mentioned this because I feel like the number would be extraordinary. It wouldn’t be hard to count the number of flights I’ve taken (I’ll do that later), but time spent traveling would have been really cool to know exactly.

Lastly, I wish during all my travels I would have picked up a souvenir. At the beginning of my trip, I was very adamant about necessities only, so I didn’t consider buying something to take with me. I also would much rather spend my money on experiences or food, so it wasn’t a hard decision to make. But now, looking back, it would be so cool to have some visual representation of all the places I’ve been. I want to slap myself for not thinking of something simple like a patch to put on my backpack for each country or something like that. In reality, that’s cheap and easy to find. Yes, I can probably find country patches on Amazon, but it’s not the same. I’ll just have to treasure the memories, which is just fine.

So, after all that planning and organizing, I still didn’t get it 100% right, and that’s okay! I am my own worst critic, and everyone can relate to coming up with a good idea after the fact. But, I still think it’s important to share on the off chance someone can learn from my mistakes.

In more positive news, this weekend I was fortunate enough to go to Vienna, Austria.

Oh. My. Gosh.

It was absolutely breathtaking! The architecture, the music, the food, the art, the Christmas markets, everything! I felt like I stepped back in time and was in a movie from the 1940s. Vienna was the first place I really felt like I desperately needed more time. I tried to make the most of my time, seeing an orchestra, going to multiple Christmas markets, taking a sightseeing bus, and going to the Belvedere Museum to see works by Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. I must go back!

Enjoy the pictures and have a wonderful week!

(Rathauspark)

(Burggarten)

(Vienna City Center)

(Maria-Theresien-Platz and Memorial)

(Schonbrunn Palace)

Cheers!
Brisa B.

--
Industrial Engineering major Brisa Bartczak is spending the Fall 2018 term in England with our U of A Exchange program at the University of Essex, Colchester with the help of our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship and the College of Engineering.

Read more from Brisa at https://sites.uark.edu/bsbartcz/

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

Happy Thanksgiving! #HogsAbroad in England

Happy {early} Thanksgiving! I hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend and holiday! Meanwhile, I still have class and a lab report due Friday. A few friends and I are getting together for a makeshift Thanksgiving dinner, but it won’t be the same without my family. However, I consider myself lucky to have the opportunity to miss it, and it’ll just make me even more appreciative next year.

For some reason, it’s been a very trying few days (e.g., broken washing machines, stolen kitchen items, impending deadlines) and I feel the need to let go of my aggravations and try to cherish what time I have left. So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I want to talk about some of the things I’ve been thankful for during my time abroad.

First off, I’m so thankful for having the opportunity to live and study abroad. It was never in my 5-year plan to study abroad, and I didn’t even consider it a possibility; so getting and being here now feels like a mixture of luck, fate, and fortune. Also, I know I’ve said it before, but I’m so grateful for everyone who helped me get here, whether that be through a letter of recommendation, a scholarship donation, or even just words of encouragement. I’m also thankful for all the love and support people have sent me from home. It’s nice to have people check in on me every once in a while, even if it’s just my dad sarcastically asking if I’m having a little turkey dinner for one.

I’m also thankful to all the people I’ve met during my time abroad. Every person has taught me something new or opened my eyes to new perspectives and opinions. For example, Joseph, a tour guide from France, taught me to seek knowledge and culture always. William, a Scottish driver, taught me that the best way to honor a lost loved one is to live a life full of happiness and love. Amanda and April, two older women from New Zealand, taught me that life is short and if you want a tattoo, get a tattoo (I didn’t get the tattoo)!

Oddly enough, I’m also thankful for the time I’ve been given to be alone. My mom always told me that I would need to learn to be alone without being lonely, and I think I’ve learned that lesson very well. Throughout all the waiting in airports, waiting on trains, waiting on buses, etc., I’ve had a lot of time to sit, be alone, and think. I’m chronically addicted to my to-do lists and daily routines, so I can’t remember the last time I daydreamed before this trip. Ironically, it’s been the most personally productive time of my life.

While I’ve done a lot of thinking, I’ve also done a lot of reading. Before, I had sworn off fiction books thinking they were a waste of time when I should be using my time to learn and read for knowledge. Somewhere along the way, I picked up this fiction book, called The Little Paris Bookshop, that helped me understand the value of a good fiction book. In this book, the main character owns a bookshop on a boat called the “Literary Apothecary.” He has a special ability to read his customers and “prescribe” them a book that will help soothe their soul. Isn’t that such a lovely concept? I can now praise the value of a good book, as this book, and others, helped me through the loneliness and sadness I experienced early on.

Lastly, I’m thankful for all the travel opportunities I’ve had, such as the one I took this weekend to Amsterdam! Amsterdam is quaint, and the Red Light District is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before in my life. Please enjoy the pictures, and I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Eat some turkey for me!

(Central Amsterdam)

(Red Light District)

(Rijksmuseum)

(Rijksmuseum)

Bloemenmarkt - The Flower Market

(Central Amsterdam)

Cheers!

Brisa B.

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Industrial Engineering major Brisa Bartczak is spending the Fall 2018 term in England with our U of A Exchange program at the University of Essex, Colchester with the help of our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship and the College of Engineering.

Read more from Brisa at https://sites.uark.edu/bsbartcz/

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

Dépaysement #HogsAbroad in England

Last week was the official halfway point for all my lectures! Unfortunately, it means that all my assignments are due soon. I’ve had to switch gears back to doing homework and lab reports, which means full days in the library and low daily step counts. For this reason, this week’s update will be a brief one.

Anyway, recently I’ve learned a French word, Dépaysement, which is the feeling you get when you aren’t in your home country. It can be anything from culture shock to slight disorientation, but it’s not directly translated to English. Dépaysement is the perfect word to describe how I felt last week during the midterm elections. Although I had already sent in my absentee ballot, it was an odd feeling to know that no one around me knew or cared. It was one of the first big elections I didn’t get to watch the news for, and I had to wait until the following morning to find out the results. It’s weird to feel like you have a hot topic of conversation that’s irrelevant to everyone else. However, I do have a friend here from Kansas City and we have lunch debriefs each week where we talk about the latest news and happenings back home.

Speaking of, when I woke up yesterday, I couldn’t believe everyone was saying it was snowing in Arkansas! I love the snow, and it always seems to avoid me. When I lived in Little Rock, it would snow in Fayetteville, and when I lived in Fayetteville, it would snow in Little Rock. I shouldn’t complain because that also means it’s colder back home – brrr!

In more exciting news, this weekend I trekked to my favorite place yet: Brussels! Initially, I didn’t really have a desire to go to Brussels, but it was my mother who said that Brussels is the place she’d want to go. Unfortunately, she’s recently had foot surgery and couldn’t make the trip. Don’t worry; I ate enough for both of us!

When I arrived, it was raining, but that didn’t stop me from heading straight for a real Belgian waffle (pictured below). I swear, it was the perfect amount fluffy and crispy! However, I wish I would’ve tried a plain waffle because the chocolate sauce was a bit much. That night, I had an Eat, Pray, Love experience over a pot of mussels stewed in onions and celery. I later learned that this is the best time of year to eat mussels because they have to swim against the cold water (or something like that).

On Sunday, I took a Belgian Chocolate walking tour, and I can now say that I am an official chocolate snob. We tasted so many flavors and types of chocolate that by the end of the tour I could hardly walk. I also saw the Atomium (pictured below) and the Mannequin Pis, and ate the best frites (fries).

I’ll have to go back one day to see other parts of Belgium and spend more time in Brussels because it was just that fabulous! Hopefully, I can convince my mom to come with me next time.

Wish me luck on all my assignments, and I hope you enjoy these pictures!

(Waffle Truck)

(Cinquantenaire)

(Unknown Chocolate Shop)

(Grand Place)

(Atomium)

Cheers!

Brisa B.

--
Industrial Engineering major Brisa Bartczak is spending the Fall 2018 term in England with our U of A Exchange program at the University of Essex, Colchester with the help of our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship and the College of Engineering.

Read more from Brisa at https://sites.uark.edu/bsbartcz/

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

Cultural Differences #HogsAbroad in England

I can hardly believe we are already a week into November! Here, it seems like the weeks are short but the days are quite long. As I said last week, it starts getting dark around 4:30 pm, which is rather early for me. However, I’ve just learned that pretty soon it will start getting dark around 3:00 pm! I knew England would be cold and rainy, but I completely overlooked the part about long, dark nights. I’ve spent the more significant portion of the last week rearranging my personal schedule because I feel motivated by the sun and find it hard to walk to the gym or library in the cold darkness. Didn’t I say I was going to be positive this week? I am, I promise!

This week I want to talk about some of the cultural differences I’ve experienced. I’m sure there are plenty of lists comparing British and American culture, but these are examples specific to me and my time here so far.

• Words: There have been many occasions where I’ve had to ask someone to repeat and explain what they just said; not because of the accent, but because of the words they use! For example, band-aids are called ‘plasters,’ a vacuum cleaner is called a ‘Hoover,’ and a truck is called a ‘lorry.’ Also, I’m still not sure if I should write my essays using the extra ‘u’ in words like colour and behaviour.
• Phrases: My favorite thing I’ve encountered is that the typical greeting you’ll receive is, “you alright?”. At first, I thought everyone somehow knew I was a lost foreigner who looked like she was going to cry, but I soon realized it’s the same thing as, “hey, how are you?” Also, ‘cheers’ is like thank you and they say ‘at the minute,’ not ‘at the moment.’
• Small talk: Non-existent. Vastly different from my southern upbringings, people don’t like to chit-chat on public transportation or in the elevator or whatnot. It doesn’t mean that they are unfriendly, it’s just the norm here.
• Supermarkets: The grocery store is one of the best places to see cultural differences. Most shocking to me, the eggs aren’t refrigerated. Also, the main cheese selection only consists of three levels of cheddar (all white), some mozzarella, and a little feta. Gallons of milk don’t exist – they’re sold in a pint. Lastly, there are a lot of ‘meal deals’ you can buy, ranging from a grab-and-go sandwich to single person meals that aren’t frozen. That last one is less of a cultural difference and more of a benefit, and I find it handy.
• Food: Food is typically the same, although some foods are called different things. For example, ‘jacket potatoes’ are baked potatoes, ‘crisps’ are chips, and a ‘toasty’ is a toasted sandwich. Also, ‘biscuits’ are cookies, and you typically have them with your tea. Lastly, and most upsetting to me, the popcorn at the ‘cinema’ isn’t fresh and is delivered to the theater in big plastic bags. However, you can get sweet, salty, or a mix.
• Drinks: Something I’m not too upset with is that tea is way more common than coffee. I don’t think coffee pots are typical, but everyone has an electric kettle. But, when you want that coffee, you’ll have to typically choose between a cappuccino, latte, or americano. There aren’t many places with drip or filter coffee. At first, I didn’t even know how to explain this and didn’t understand why the campus Starbucks didn’t just have a pot of coffee (it was embarrassing). Also, if you merely ask for a beer, you might get a warm ale. Lastly, and most notably, I haven’t had ice since I got here.

I’m sure there are plenty of other things I am forgetting, but you get the point. It’s so fun to live in a new place and experience all these new and different things, a lot of which you wouldn’t experience during a short-term vacation. While a study abroad is quite literally studying at a school in a foreign place, it’s also the study of a new culture which involves thinking in new ways, tasting new foods, experiencing new things, and increasing global awareness.

Also, meeting and interacting with other exchange students is a lesson of its own. I am amazed at the courage and ambition of people who come from places all around the world and overcome huge cultural barriers, including language. Most of my flatmates are foreign exchange students spending their entirety of university here from places like Malaysia, Hong Kong, Brazil, Nigeria, South Korea, and Brunei. Shamefully, I’ve even met someone from a country I didn’t know existed. Ever heard of Eritrea? Here’s a picture of all the foreign exchange students (not paying attention) taken on the first day.

Overall, I feel like I learn something new every day, whether that be through class, culture, or people. Although being faced with new and unfamiliar things can be uncomfortable and no one likes to feel ignorant, it’s those experiences you learn from the most. I am quite enjoying my time learning and trying new things, but also I’ve been craving chips and salsa for about a month now.

I didn’t go anywhere this past weekend, so no fun pictures this week. However, I did see Bohemian Rhapsody and would highly recommend the movie. Have a lovely week!

Cheers!

Brisa B.

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Industrial Engineering major Brisa Bartczak is spending the Fall 2018 term in England with our U of A Exchange program at the University of Essex, Colchester with the help of our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship and the College of Engineering.

Read more from Brisa at https://sites.uark.edu/bsbartcz/

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

Struggles Abroad #HogsAbroad in England

(Nyhavn)

Happy Halloween! While I haven’t seen many carved pumpkins and candy corn doesn’t exist here, people are dressed up and ready to party the night away. Also, the sneaky approach of November means I am officially at the halfway point of my journey! At this point, the trees are almost bare, the temperature is dropping, and it starts getting dark around 4:30 pm. While everyone is still adjusting to the turn of the clocks and hour gained, I want to fester in the collective gloom and talk about my struggles.

While I don’t think culture shock is the appropriate term for my experience here, I think the model still applies – Honeymoon, Frustration, Adjustment, Acceptance. Traveling around Europe, I didn’t spend long periods of time anywhere, and there was always the excitement of the next destination. Being stationary for the past month, the thrill of living in a new place has given way to the irritations of temporary living.

Please understand that I don’t want to be negative or convey regret in any form, but I think it’s important to remain transparent and honest during any experience to portray the whole picture. I think most people would struggle with homesickness or lack of familiarity issues, but I’m struggling with living in what feels like an extended stay motel.

During my travels, it was fun to live out of a backpack and pretend to be a minimalist. I like to compare it to a camping trip. You know when it’s fun to sleep on rocks and eat cans of beans for dinner because it’s a primally satisfying adventure? It was basically the same thing, except I was sleeping in hostels and eating food I couldn’t pronounce. But, at the end of a camping trip, you go home, shower, and sleep in your own bed. At the end of my travels, I came here with nothing more than a few clothes and my laptop.

For the first few days, I was going to the store regularly to buy things I ‘needed.’ I know most people pack appropriately for a study abroad (unlike me) but it’s those things you don’t think about until you need them, like tape or a can opener. Then there’s the stuff you wish you had, but can’t justify buying it for less than three months, like a nice coffee maker or room decorations.

Also, living with 13 other people, problems are inevitable because people have different standards of cleanliness and respect, especially across cultures. I won’t go too much into that because I think it’s easy to imagine and the situation could be a lot worse. Plus, without a car and the consistently off-schedule public transportation, tasks, like going to the grocery store or going into town for a meeting, become all-day affairs.

Overall, living in a new place will always have its pros and cons. In a positive light, the topic of common frustrations is a great way to bond with new friends, and you have a better appreciation for home. Also, I am aware that I could buy all these things that would make me more comfortable for my last two months here, but I find it wasteful and I’d rather spend the money on more travel.

I don’t like to complain, and as I write this, I’ve been thinking about how lucky I am that the only issue I have is my dorm (ok I miss my dog too). At the end of the day, when I look back at this time I won’t be thinking about all the inconvenient trips I had to make to the store or how many times I had to clean up after someone, but instead, I’ll remember all the people I’ve met and places I’ve gone. But also, for anyone wanting to study abroad, it’s important to know that behind all the pretty pictures and stories are moments of struggle. Nevertheless, as soon as it started, it’ll be over, and regardless of my frustrations, I remain so happy and thankful.

On a more positive note, I spent my weekend in Copenhagen! For me, Copenhagen was like if Whole Foods was a city: beautiful, green, organic, eco-friendly, and expensive. I did a lot of sightseeing and went to Tivoli Gardens, which is the amusement park that inspired Walt Disney. However, it was freezing (I saw snow), which I wasn’t prepared for, and I’m still defrosting. Please enjoy the pictures, and I promise to be more upbeat next week!

(Nyhavn)

(Nyhavn)

(Tivoli Gardens)

(Tivoli Gardens)

(The Little Mermaid)

Cheers!

Brisa B.

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Industrial Engineering major Brisa Bartczak is spending the Fall 2018 term in England with our U of A Exchange program at the University of Essex, Colchester with the help of our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship and the College of Engineering.

Read more from Brisa at https://sites.uark.edu/bsbartcz/

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

University of Essex #HogsAbroad in England

It’s another beautiful fall day here in Colchester! The weather is quite finicky – cold in the morning, warm in the afternoon, and cold again at night – but nothing too intolerable just yet. I’ve spent a lot of time wandering around enjoying the fall foliage and windy weather. One of the most beautiful places at my school is a lake and park area right on the edge of campus (pictured below). While I have missed fall back home more recently (especially knowing it’s State Fair time), I consider myself lucky that I wound up here at this University. So, I want to take this week to talk about it some more.

I’ve briefly mentioned the difference in academics between here and home, but there’s a lot more to the University than just that. I think the independent study model is growing on me because I have more time and freedom to read for class and properly absorb all the information. But also, the relaxed schedule allows for more school involvement (and travel!).

The University of Essex has a wonderful Student’s Union that works really hard to provide resources for all students, including the international students. There are networks you can join such as the Women’s Network, Students with Disabilities Network, LGBT+ Network, etc. There are a TON of societies to join, ranging from all different cultural and departmental societies to political and religious ones. Some fun ones include Harry Potter, Origami, Make Up, and even Pole Dancing. Because I’m only here for a short while, I decided to limit my involvement and only joined the Yoga and Meditation Society and Volunteer Team.

The Student’s Union also has different places on campus, such as a bar, two nightclubs, a cinema, two convenience stores, and even a salon. There are services offered such as individual career mentoring, a safety bus, and a place you can go sleep if you are unable to make it home. There are also leadership and volunteer activities available to everyone. Also, there are always events going on around the campus! Last week I found myself at a 90’s throwback dance party, even though the majority of the people there weren’t even born in the 90’s!

The way the Student’s Union promotes themselves is unique to me because the executive leadership is made up of people who just graduated and were elected to work full time to further improve the University experience. Another thing that is way different to me is the sports. The University doesn’t make a huge emphasis on sports events, but a good number of students do play sports. Also, you can try out for the teams or just join the recreational club. I’m used to SEC sports style events and athlete recruitment, so I was shocked when I was asked to join the women’s basketball team. I laugh just thinking about it.

Another thing that is different is the accommodation. Of course, there are different levels of price and style, but one thing I found unique is no one has a roommate! I was speaking to some girls from London and apparently they think it is weird that people would share rooms with strangers. Fundamentally, I guess it is weird, but I just thought having a roommate and living in a dorm was part of the college experience! Here in my specific accommodation, each floor is called a flat and 14 people live in each flat…..with one kitchen and two bathrooms. I am thankful I get to shut my door each night and be alone, but after living in a dorm and apartment for the last six years, I’m not so happy to be back. Also, there are no dining halls (but plenty of mini-restaurants) and you have to buy a (pricey) gym membership if you want to use the University gym.

Overall, this University is really quite nice. Some things have been difficult, but everything has its pros and cons. I know this University has an emphasis on being Internationally focused and it does a good deal to ensure the experience for all international students is a good one. In reality, I didn’t do extensive research into the University and picked it solely based on the location and availability of psychology classes, so I am very lucky it has all worked out in my favor.

Lastly, with the freedom I have with my classes and the public transportation, I’ve spent my last two weekends travelling mostly around London. I took a tour to Stonehenge and Bath, and then another tour to Stratford-upon-Avon, the Cotswolds, and Oxford. After being on the move for so long, it is nice to finally have a home base to come back to after weekend travels. Below are some of my pictures from these tours. Enjoy!

(Stonehenge)

(Stratford-upon-Avon)

(Stratford-upon-Avon)

(Long Compton in the Cotswolds)

(Oxford)

(Oxford)

(London)

(London)

Cheers!

Brisa B.

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Industrial Engineering major Brisa Bartczak is spending the Fall 2018 term in England with our U of A Exchange program at the University of Essex, Colchester with the help of our Office of Study
Abroad Scholarship and the College of Engineering.

Read more from Brisa at https://sites.uark.edu/bsbartcz/

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/