May 27th, 2009
I had to make sure that I packed up everything. I will be in London for two months; Away from my family, family and my COMFORT ZONE and entering a new territory. This process was not easy. I was supposed to be in London last week but those DAMN BRITISH CONSULATE PEOPLE denied my visa. I blame the bank lady at UCF for not knowing what an OFFICIAL BANK STAMP was..dumbass. That denial caused me to change my flight, pull out more from my personal savings.I had to reapply for my visa and had it expedited. Also, I had to way for the EUSA INTERNSHIP program to see if they will still accept me being a late arrival.
I never had various emotions and thoughts at one time. At one point, FED EX lost my second visa package. I even thought about dropping out the program. One of my friends advised me to, but several of my friends, Office of international studies + EUSA people recommended me that I don't do that. EUSA mentioend that I would get penalized. And I already was too deep into the program that it would cost me more if I don't go. the OIS people at my school witnessed my roller coaster emotions and I am glad that I had them as a support system especially DeDe! even hwen I was upset, her figurative language ( "wiggle room") always made me laught.
I knew it was meant for me to go on the trip because I FINALLY RECEIVED MY 2ND VISA!!! They found the lost packaged and I received it fast. Also, I received a study abroad scholarship. Although the trip was quite pricy; I had to pull out a loan for the first time :( , THIS BETTER BE WORTH IT <_< style="font-weight: bold;">
Earliest memories of wanting to go to London
I always wanted to go to London ever since I was little. My earliest recollection of why I wanted to go is when I was 9-10 years old. In Brooklyn, my block had a block party and there was a black girl my age that was there. She was new so me and my friends wanted to get to know her. All of a sudden, she spoke very differently and I loved how she talked. The only accents I was familiar with was Caribbean accents ( Haitians, Domincians, PR, Jamaicans etc). Come to find out, she was from London, I loved how she talked!
Another memory is my brother's ex-girlfriend. Whenever she spoke, I'd get googly-eyed. I freaking loved her accent. And when she talked about her experiences there, it further inspired me to seek opportunities to others.
On a side note, whenever you interact with young people, try to leave a positive impression cause you never know how that experience can influence them to pursue other things.!!!
Now back on track...Day of departure (while I was on the plane I wrote this)
I called DeDe from OIS and let her know that I was leaving. She wished me luck. Also a couple of my friends and family wished me luck. I did my last checkup and FREAKING FORGOT MY 16GB MEMORY CARD :( DAMN. My friend Antoinette (hey Ann :D ) gave me a ride to the airport, that was real sweet of her. The British Airways staff and Londoners are very nice. I had arrived to checkout late and they rushed my process so I won't miss the plane. I was sitting next to a father and son that were from London. Me and the father spoke a while. He warned me that Central London is a bad area, filled with prostitutes and crackheads. He made it seem like I never encountered that before. I live in Orlando and there is a block called
Orange
Blossom
Trail and I have seen my fair share of all those kind of people. One good advice he told me was not to take cabs, certain ones are not registered with the government so there is a good chance that I could get mugged and raped :( .
His son does not like airplane food so his dad gave it to me. ( My new best friend). If people want to calm me down- give me food and money and I'll be straight. AGAIN let me reiterate that London people seem nice so far and know their sense of directions. They showed me the ways of getting around to my location. DAMN WHY the airplane ride have to be 8 hours long, but I am glad that it was non stop!!! Most of the people on board were 99% white. It made me wonder on why many minorities do not travel to different countries (NOT INCLUDING IMMIGRANTS). However I didn't feel uncomfortable.!!
My fear!!!!I am nervous b/c I never traveled outside the U.S as a grown adult. The last time I traveled was when I was four years old and went to France. The only thing that I remember is my Uncle's/ Godfather's Pink bathroom with a funny looking toilet. Since I never traveled outside the U.S I am not used to other countries set of customs. In the U.K, I do not know what behaviors are considered acceptable. I have to get used to how they talk. They speak very fast and have a different accent so i have to catch on to that. Sometimes I have to focus on their lips.
I am scared mostly because I have never been a tourist. The first time I entered into a new environment was when I was 13. I moved from NY TO FL :(, As I mentioned earlier, I never knew that America had diverse accents. So when I moved down here. I would always get questions such as
YOU ain't from 'round here, where you from? Omg you're from Ny you think you're all that. Say talk, walk coffee *follow by sets of giggles* and more questions such as " why do Ny ppl do this and that" AND THE comment that urked me the most " You talk like a white girl" ughhhhhhhhhhhhh that mess urks me to the core!! I still get asked in FL to this day on where I am from. I guess I won't fit in with Floridans. O well I'm proud to be a NewYoridan :D.
I will stick out like a sore thumb. I am black, American, and a girl lol. I really can't blend in with my surroundings cause of my acccent. I have to make sure that people do not try to take advantage of me. However ,I am ready to meet new people and enter a new land. I want to hear all of London's music, lifestyle and latest fashion. I am not going to lie, I want to see the flyest guys and they will get my attention because I love their accents. I feel that as a woman of color, it is important to travel. Gaining Abroad expriences is Phenominal and impressive on a resume and it is a boost of personal growth.
Once I land, I do not have time to relax. I have to be on my feet. From the plane, I have to go from the airport to the train to arrive at my student living ALONE! After I briefly settle in, I have to go immediately to my internship. I will suffer from severe jet lag. Remember London is 5 hours ahead of the U.S and I took a 8 hour flight. So I arrived in LOndon at 2am EST but 7AM THEIR TIME.
**Reminders***
-Do not call a British person European, it is real offensive!!!
-If you are planning to do Study Abroad, do your student visas ahead of time, you will save money and heartache
- If possible, take online classes and travel abroad, it'll keep you busy
-Airport food is straight
A special thanks to 2 NP sisters: Bellacranberry and Mis~. Without you guys, I would be London Lost. Can't wait to see my NP sisters!!!!