Fresher's Week

This past week was Fresher's Week at Kent, which is similar to Welcome Week at UCSD. It's a time for new students to meet other people, get acquainted with the campus, and enjoy school without any real schoolwork. Spencer and I spent most of the week exploring the city, meeting many different people, and planning our adventures around Europe. It was a great week, but strangely I am excited that classes begin tomorrow.

A small park in Canterbury
The view from our school. You can see the Cathedral!

Exploring the city: I posted pictures up from my first time into Canterbury, but I have gone more times since, and each time I love it more and more. It is an amazing town. It's been best to walk from campus since the bus costs around 2 Pounds, and the walk is just as beautiful as the town itself. One of my favorite restaurants I've been to is Lanna's, a small Thai restaurant with traditional Thai decor in a very old English building. It's a unique clash of cultures that makes for a warm environment. We also got the chance to go to a Food and Wine fair that shared samples of many different local treats. It was so much fun, but sadly didn't get much business because of the heavy rain that day. For a little taste of home, I had to go into Starbucks and see what it was like; I decided to visit the one that is right next to the Canterbury Cathedral (yes, they are right next door to each other). It is now my favorite Starbucks on earth. The building it is set in was built in the late 1400's with a plethora of rooms with warm little nooks to go sit and study in on a cold winters day. I could go on and on about this town, but I will spare you the over-detailed report.

Lanna's Restaurant

Our walk from Kent Uni to the town of Canterbury

Meeting People: I have had the joy to meet people from all over the world! As I think I said before, Kent Uni is known for it's international student ratio (about 40% of the student population). Because of that, I've been able to meet people from Greece, Denmark, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and many more. I spent a lot of my time this past week going to events put on by the Christian Union and meeting people there. It was a great comfort to find a place like Upper Room here in Canterbury. On Friday evening, they put on a Grub Crawl, which is basically a Progressive Dinner in the States. They fed about 30 of us, and we got to spend a lot of time walking through the city to different students' houses and getting to know each other. It was a great night! Yesterday was one of my favorite days. Spencer and I went to the City Church Canterbury, which has a large student population, like how Flood is in San Diego. I loved it there! The sermon was an amazing discussion on the Sermon on the Mount. They are starting a series on "How to be Truly Happy," focusing on the Beatitudes and how Jesus turns upside-down the way we are inclined to think. Then on Sunday evenings, the student ministry has an event at a local pub, and this Sunday it was a Quiz night (which is a lot like Trivia games in the US). It was so much fun! I love games and trivia, so I was obviously having a great time. It was also another wonderful way to meet more people. I was unsure how it would be making friendships here, but God has truly blessed me and surrounded me with exactly the people I need in my life here.

Streets of Canterbury
The University of Kent: We have an impeccable view

Europe Adventures: We've spent a lot of time this week (since we had no work for class) getting our flights and such to tour around Europe. I am so excited! We are going to have the chance to see France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, Italy, Scotland, and maybe Denmark or Austria. I will be sure to take tons of pictures so I can share those trips with you.

A small stream runs through the town

It is so green here!

This week has shown me how much God has blessed me in bringing me here, introducing me to so many friends, and showing me who He is in so many new ways. I look forward to seeing His awesomeness more and more while I am here. My prayer today, as it has been all week, is to have the strength and bravery to make this next semester devoted to His will, not my own. I miss you all so very much!

This little guy made himself at home on my window all week, making it hard to get fresh air since there are no window screens here.