"Greek Week"

I am nearing the end of my first week of classes and so far it has been very intriguing. I only have 6 hours of class a week because classes here are usually based more on independent work, but I am not used to that, so it just feels like I have a lot of free time, which is pretty nice. I love my classes so far! Spencer and I both are taking one class on Greek Art and Architecture and another on Religion in Ancient Greece. It is all really fascinating!

We are about a week away from our first trip to a new country. First stop: Barcelona, Spain! I am so excited to see Spain and my friend Janice, who is studying abroad there currently. A brief word of advice to anyone planning on studying abroad: make sure you work out the details about inexpensive ways to get to the airport, which airport is best, etc. Sometimes websites here aren't as reliable and it turns out to be a real pain in the butt. Anyways, it is all worth it in the end.

I'm sorry I don't have any pictures to share today but I will soon. I'm hoping to travel a little around Southern England this weekend and I will be sure to bring my camera along too.

God Bless!

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.

Why is it hot in England?

Canterbury Cathedral

Today was the first day we went into the town of Canterbury; I have fallen in love with it. It embodies so much of what I've desired to see in England. It has the quaintness of a town in the countryside and the excitement of a popular city. It was less than a 30 minutes walk from my room to the "main streets" of the city, and the walk itself is through some beautiful parks and suburbs, so that in itself is enjoyable too. What was very strange today was that it was hot. I was told to bring all of this heavy, thick clothing for England's frigid weather and I'm sweating like crazy! I guess I should enjoy it while I can, because I know cold weather is just around the corner.

A Stream through the city of Canterbury

As you can imagine, I got really excited at the sight of this store

In Canterbury we first had to go visit the cathedral. It was absolutely stunning! As students at Kent, we get in for free whenever we want (Score!) so I can go back anytime. We didn't do a guided tour this time, but I hope to do one soon so I can learn a little about the history of the cathedral.

View from the Cathedral Great Cloister

A small chapel inside the cathedral

This weekend there is a food and wine festival going on in the main streets of Canterbury that I can't wait to go to! It'll be a good way to sample different foods of their culture. Today there was a fruit stand in the street that was full of delicious fruits (greengages, strawberries, avocado, figs, etc.) all grown locally. I can't wait to try more of their local foods.

I am starting to feel more settled in here, and I'm getting to know more people which is always good. I honestly was a little nervous for a while and feeling unsettled, but I know God has purpose for this situation. Thank you all for your prayers! Cheers!

Here is a picture of my room. It is quite an upgrade from the triple dorm I lived in Freshman year at UCSD :)

International Prayer

Today was my first full day in Canterbury. Spencer and I were both a bit lost at first, not knowing what we were supposed to do, but we eventually figured it out. There were a few orientation meetings (they called them Inductions), and then we met with the Christian Union, a Christian organization on campus. There were a lot of wonderful people there, and it was nice to meet so many friendly people. It made me feel connected like I was at Upper Room at UCSD. This evening they hosted an "International Dinner" where students could meet and be introduced to the committee (leadership team).

At the International Dinner, there were tons of people from all over the world (Germany, France, Great Britain, Africa, and even Illinois). The president of the committee introduced himself and led a short prayer. It was so amazing to pray with people of so many cultures, backgrounds, and stories. All of us came together and were unified in Christ. It was really amazing.

Kent Uni (that's what the call Universities here) is known as the "European Uni of the UK" because it has such a high percentage of foreign students (around 45% of the students are from other countries, many of whom stay for a whole degree program). In my corridor there are 2 Danish girls, a Hungarian man, Spencer, and me; that shows you how diverse the community is here. It has been a wonderful first day, and I can't wait to go into the town tomorrow and see what Canterbury is like. Love you all!

Fact of the Day: I've been told by some new British friends that apple pie, pb&j sandwiches, Reeses peanut butter cups, and hot dogs are very American to them. I told them I had a pb&j for lunch today (which I really did) and they were all amazed.

Goodbye London, Hello Canterbury

I've spent the last five days exploring the streets of central London (thank God for the new comfortable shoes I got before I left). I spent the first 2 and a half days with my friend Spencer, getting to every free museum and attraction their is in London, which is quite a lot. We went to everything from the infamous Westminster Abbey to the British Museum, which is packed full of historic pieces, like the Rosetta stone and parts of the Parthenon. One of my favorite things to see was the British Library, where ancient texts and original classics were held, like the original hand-written Alice in Wonderland as well as the Magna Carta.

Me at Kings Cross (my cross), which is well known for Platform "9 and 3 Quarters."

Weather has been surprisingly comfortable so far, which has been perfect since we were outdoors most of the time. The streets were filled with so many places to eat, so we got a very eclectic mix of meals these past few days. My first meal had to be something traditionally English, so I had a meat pie, which was very tasty and inexpensive (two things I really appreciate). I also got to enjoy Korean food, Thai food (my favorite kind), and Chinese food. However, my favorite meal, by far, was our trip to the Bourough Market, where I got to sample many kinds of foods. Needless to see, English food hasn't disappointed yet (then again, I've only been in London so far).

A homeless man on the bank of the Thames made this amazing sand sculpture.

Later, I got to meet a number of people at our orientation in London. It was nice to get to know some other Americans after a few days of feeling very foreign. We did even more sight seeing, had some orientation meetings, and then headed off to our university. I am now sitting in my room in Canterbury, where I'll be living for the next 3 months. I've said goodbye to London for now (I'm sure I will be back). The campus is beautiful here. I can't wait to go into the city and see what Canterbury is like.

Adjustment has been tough at times, but it has been quite a wonderful experience. I can't wait to see what God has in store next. Love you all! Thanks for being patient while I figure out this whole blogging deal. Cheers!

Farewell Friends!

The summer has moved so quickly; I cannot believe that I am leaving tomorrow for London. After a summer of MCAT studying, house sitting, kids camp, enjoying home, and visiting friends, I am about to embark on a whole new journey. I will be studying at the University of Kent in Canterbury, about an hour away from London. It will be a whole new adventure for me.

I was overwhelmingly reminded today to fervently pray for God's guidance for this semester specifically. I've realized that in the swift passing of the summer I've lost sight of where my heart needs to be as I leave, and today God reminds me to pray. I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for me abroad, and I pray that God gives me the strength and courage to be open to whatever He brings my way. My blog title "no longer foreigners..." comes from Ephesians 2, where the former Gentiles were reminded of their unity in Christ; God showed them through Paul that they are "no longer foreigners...but fellow citizens with God's people." My hope is to experience people in England, not as a tourist or foreigner, but as one of them. I desire to learn, not only from the classroom, but from the relationships I form and the conversations that spark.

To all you at home, I will miss you dearly. I ask for you to pray for an open heart for me, to show love and be open to God's plan. I am so thankful for this blessing! Farewell Friends!