Returning to the Homeland
When I first landed in the US I was instantly greeted with familiarity. I loved being in Scotland but it’s just something about being in your own country that makes you feel more secure. After my connecting flight I finally landed in New Orleans airport. I felt instantly at home and was so excited to see my family. My family had made me one of those cheesy welcome home signs, but I was so happy to see them to be embarrassed. Once out...
Back at Home
UA in Oxford Reflecting on being abroad, I realize how remarkable of a journey I’ve committed to. It was such a fulfilling time and I learned many things, not just about myself but life and other people. I cannot tell my experience to the extent that I wish without mentioning what it felt like being African American abroad. Travelling internationally for the first time, I had no idea what to expect. I found myself looking for other...
While in Scotland
When I first arrived in Edinburgh, I was jetlagged and disoriented. I was more than ready to get to Heriot Watt University, find my flat and settle in to my new home for the month. My taxi ride to the university was really enjoyable as my driver was lively and talkative, a quality I would later learn is common among Scottish people. When I finally arrived at the university, I discovered that the flats were still being cleaned and I...
UA in Oxford: Reflecting on a Journey
Upon returning home, I was reminded of the differences in everyday things in England compared to the United States. The accents, grocery stores, and currencies are just few of the things that made England such a unique experience for an American student studying at Oxford University. The beautiful scenery that Worcester College exhibits rivals anything that I have seen at the many American universities I have been to. Prior to...
Losing a Loved One While Studying Abroad
I participated in the UA in Ireland: Chemical Engineering program in June 2019. The dates for this program were May 27th – June 28th, 2019. We took two courses, Transport Phenomena (CHE 324) and Stem Cell Bioengineering (CHE 492). Our last two Transport homework assignments were due June 24th and June 25th, our final exam was scheduled for 0900 on June 26th, our farewell dinner was at 1800 on June 26th, and our final project for...
My Bodleian Library Experience
I am a huge fan of libraries and books of any sort and got my first library card when I was 3, so needless to say I was very excited when I was told that those of us on the UA at Oxford trip were getting Bodleian reader cards. This meant we could go into the Bodleian library and use their databases and most of their books (for some reason, they didn’t want to let us have access to the ones that are centuries old first editions...