It's Starting To Feel Real!

Hello!

This whole trip is really starting to feel more real!!! Yesterday the study away center sent out emails letting us know that they have our plane tickets, and today we had our first group meeting to discuss the trip.

I didn't realize how nervous I was about everything until after the meeting. It was just a brief informational overview, but it really helped clarify some things. The professors told us about the different national identities in the United Kingdom, the currency system, and how the government works. It was a lot of information, but incredibly informative.

Apparently due to Brexit, we will be in Manchester during a "tumultuous time." The professors were quick to assuage any worries that we had, highlighting the fact that the value of the pound has dropped so it will be cheaper for us to be there. I don't know if this is reassuring or not, but its nice to think about.

The presentation had tons of pictures of Manchester, and we got a few more details about where we will be staying, and what kind of place Manchester is. If everything goes according to plan the hotel we are staying in is next to the best pub in Manchester. At least, this is according to the professors, I have no way to corroborate this, but I believe them.

I also got to learn a little more about where Manchester is located. It is in northwest England, and is apparently perfectly situated to travel to other places. I don't know how much of this I will be doing, but it is really nice to know.

The travel aspect of the trip is interesting. We are meeting in Seattle, and then flying to Amsterdam, and then Amsterdam to Manchester. The flight to Amsterdam is 10 1/2 hours, I can honestly say that I am not excited about that. Amsterdam to Manchester is 1 1/2, which is going to feel like nothing after the long flight. Not to mention the fact that I have to fly from Alaska to Seattle earlier that day. The best part, in my opinion, is that although we leave Manchester (at 5:55 am!) we land in Seattle on the same day. Time zones are confusing!

I have a countdown going for when we leave. I can't believe that I get to say that I will be leaving for England in 66 days!

Madeline

The Preparations Begin

Hello!

My name is Madeline Scully and I am a sophomore at Pacific Lutheran University. I am an English and Global Studies double major with a French minor, so most of my life is consumed with school work. It sounds thrilling, I know. When I’m not trying to cram 4 hours of reading into a night, I am usually attending one of the on campus events, participating in band, or bumming food off of my friends.

I am from Palmer Alaska, a relatively small town in the south central region of the state. In high school I was part of the IB Program, whose mission statement can be shortened to: the production of global citizens. As a result of the importance put on being part of a global community, I became interested in studying away in college. This wasn’t my only motivation for studying away though. My great-grandmother, and grandmother, were born in Germany. As a little kid I was obsessed with hearing anything that my grandmothers would tell about Europe. I think that the realization that you didn’t have to be born in the United States sparked my interest in studying, and living in another country.

I recently applied (and got accepted) to a study away program through my university.

In January I will be heading to Manchester with a small group of students and two professors. We will be in England for the entire month exploring Manchester and learning about the Industrial Revolution. From what I understand, most of the program is walking tours and museums, which happen to be two of my favorite things.

This class is a Literature/Communications/Political Science credit; however, I don't need any of those credits for my general education requirements.  Instead, I am adapting this study away opportunity to fit the requirements for my Global Studies major. According to my advisor, as long as I complete all of my assignments with an International Affairs focus this program will count for study away credit to Global Studies. I think that this is an amazing trade off to go to England!

Not only am I going to Manchester in January; I will be studying away in Oxford for six months in 2018! I still can’t believe that I get to go on two amazing trips in just two years. One of the things I am most excited about is experiencing the same culture from two different places. I am fascinated by the difference location plays in culture, especially living part time in both Washington and Alaska.

I cannot wait to share my adventures in England, and I though the best way to start was to begin this narrative at the beginning of my experience.

Here is to waiting out the next 3 months until I get to Manchester!

Madeline