It has been almost a week since I left Fort Worth, Texas and began my month-long journey studying abroad in Europe. My group stayed five nights in London, England, and we are currently staying in Paris, France. The trip has been pretty tiring so far, as this particular program is jam-packed with full days of fun activities and company visits, but it has also been so much fun. I have had the opportunity to learn so much about the history of both London and Paris, and I look forward to learning more about the histories of the other cities we will be visiting including Avignon, Nice, Monaco, Verona, Innsbruck, Munich, and Lucerne. I have participated in many activities not directly connected to the A&M program such as touring Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London, and I have also attended many A&M sponsored events such as tours of Lloyd’s, the Chelsea Football Club, Design Bridge, and Versailles. One of the highlights of my trip thus far has been attending a performance of Wicked in the West End of London with my peers and professors. I have also loved getting to navigate the different subway systems in London and Paris, and I have enjoyed meeting locals and speaking with them while on subway trips. One of the biggest cultural differences that I have noticed is the general attitude of Americans in public compared to Europeans. Europeans seem much quieter, more reserved, and don’t often acknowledge others, while Americans speak loudly, enjoy meeting others, and often smile at strangers. One thing that I am looking forward to most as this trip continues is getting to experience many more different cultures. The coolest part of this specific study abroad experience is the fact that students get to experience so many different counties, cities, and cultures, and I cannot wait to experience even more.
