Lydia's European Blog

Life is pretty cool

I woke up bright and early Monday morning not to head off to my internship but to BBC. Hannah and I left at 6:45am so that we could wait outside BBC1 to get photos with two of the band members of All Time Low! After waiting for about a half hour, we were able to meet the guys and take photos! Since it was my day off, I went to breakfast and straight back to bed because it was barely 8:00am.

After arising again at a decent hour, I went to the British Museum for the afternoon. It was extremely busy but incredibly interesting! I spent most of my time in Egypt and Greece sections that focused on art, history and daily life. I was hoping to join the free tour but I just missed the start time by 15 minutes. I still enjoyed looking through the exhibits on my own and reading about the work and details that went into each piece. I didn’t get a chance to go around everywhere but I will definitely be going back to check out the rest of the exhibits.

On Tuesday I went back to my internship and it was a pretty good day. I was able to learn a little about coding and I had the opportunity to work with the mobile application and make some changes. Sadly my allergies are pretty bad today and my nose won’t stop running. Hopefully my medicine will start to kick in otherwise I probably have a cold. It’s a good thing that I don’t vlog (video blog) though because I sound like a monster that has a cold.

The best part of Tuesday would have to be the night because I submitted a request to be in the audience of the show Chain Reaction: Sharon Horgan interviews Dennis Kelly. Dennis Kelly co-wrote Matilda the Musical along with many other plays and TV shows! He has even won and Emmy and a Tony for his work.

Attending the interview was a spectacular opportunity and I was lucky enough to talk to him after the show. I have always enjoyed writing although I am not all that great. My question to him was how do you start writing one you have an idea and you want to make it come to life. His response was simple. Just get a piece of paper and start writing something and really anything. You can always come back and make changes and edits but you have to have something.

So far the week has been great and I hope the positive vibes continue throughout the week!

Time is standing still.. and I LOVE IT!

I have only been here for under two weeks and I feel like I’ve already been here for a lifetime! I feel like it’s going to be a long semester and I couldn’t be happier. I have had a so many opportunities to explore and see so many great things.

Starting on Friday I worked at my internship and I was able to get to know my colleagues and start working on some projects. I didn’t get any big projects yet but I started working on a few small updates. I am also excited because I was able to join the social committee and start helping plan the staff party! I’m not crazy about the horror theme but I am looking forward to getting to know more people that work in the hotel.

It’s finally the weekend now and I am looking forward to taking a break, checking out more sights and finishing my paper for the entry tour. Starting out on Saturday, My friend Vianna andI went to Sherlock’s apartment, the British Library and Platform 9 3/4!

We decided not to go into the Sherlock Museum but I was really excited because there was a man dressed in character and the walk was really short so I could go back anytime. After that we headed to the library. Right as we got there it started pouring and it was so windy that my umbrella was literally ripped in two and the top half flew away. We were waterlogged and a little cold but we waited out the rain and then headed to Platform 9 3/4!!

Had to get a photo in my house colors too

I was surprised because Vianna has never read a single book or seen one of the movies! I almost died when I heard this because Harry Potter was a huge part of half my life. Seriously, Harry Potter books and movies were a main part of my life for 12 years. I was just so happy to be there 🙂

Sunday was a bit more relaxing. I walked around the Big Ben area where I was able to see the National Gallery and a small version of the changing of the guard. After a ate lunch with the group in Chinatown although I was not impressed with the venue. The big thing of the day was going to a pub in Camden and watching the Packers WIN! It was so much fun hanging out with the group while cheering on one of my favorite teams.

The last couple of days have been jam packed with events and sights. There is just so much I want to do and I wish I could do it all right now! I can’t remember the last time I smiled this much.

University of London – Birkbeck

On Wednesday morning, I was happy not only because I was able to sleep in but also for the fact that I would be starting one of my two classes for this term. I had a good breakfast and headed to Gordon Square for my first day of International Business. The class was easy to find and I made it right on time. This could not be said of my professor though. My classmates and I waited for almost an hour before we gave up and went to continue with the rest of our day.

One of my friends on the trip and I went over to the school’s main office to find out what was going and were shocked to find out that the professor had forgotten that he needed to teach today. I’m not going to judge because we all make mistakes. I was just surprised that despite the mistake and showing up to class when it was supposed to be held we would all have to make up the class on another day.

That morning class was the only event I had planned for the day so I started my exploring early with Hannah as we went to Southbank to see the sights and check out the Winter Festival. While the sights didn’t fail to impress I was sad that were wasn’t anything going on for the festival other than the giant animal display. Even though the excursion was cut short, Hannah and I were able to successfully navigate the Tube going there and back two different ways!

Blow up rabbit display for the Winter Festival

My second (also kind of first) day of class was awesome! The class is history of London and my seems really great. The class was already extremely interesting and we spent a third of the class walking around London. During that time, I found out that the university was founded in a pub and that Jeremy Bentham’s body in on display on the UCL campus.

After class, I went to my second day of my internship. I got a little lost on the way and ended up in Soho but never the less I made it there with 15 minutes to spare! At the Langham, I got my own desk and started right away by redoing a bulletin board for the staff. While it wasn’t anything glamorous I was able to work on my own and be creative.

I was also happy to find out that I will be getting free lunch every full day I work, tea whenever I want and I have my own company e-mail! My colleagues have been really nice and helpful so I know that this is going to be an incredible experience. Even the way home was pretty neat because the entrance outside BBC was lined with disco balls.

I can’t wait for tomorrow 🙂

The Langham, London

I didn’t only come to London to take courses through the University of London – Birkbeck. I am also doing an internship for credit. Before I arrived, I put together my CV and cover letter and interviewed for internship opportunities.

In late November last year, I happily accepted the position offered to me by the Langham, London. My position is the Marketing/ Public Relations Intern and I will be working with the Communication manager and E-Commerce manager.

It was my first day so I didn’t know what to expect but it ended up being a general hotel orientation day. I missed the first day so sadly I didn’t get to learn more about the hotel and it’s history. I found out about payroll (which I will not be a part of), benefits, health and safety.

While it seems that it would have been a bland day in terms of working I did have a wonderful opportunity to try their Afternoon Tea Experience. During afternoon tea, I was able to try different sandwiches, biscuits and desserts while of course having an incredible cup of tea. Each member at orientation also received a welcome rose just as an added touch of kindness!

I didn’t find out what I will be doing for my internship quite yet but I think I’m going to like it here! After leaving my first day at my internship, I went to orientation for Birkbeck. Orientation was short and sweet and I was able to find out more about my classes and the resources I need to do my homework. Overall, today was full of an overwhelming amount of information but I am ready for what these next four months have to offer!

So many feelings

After leaving Brighton we set off on the final leg of the entry tour. After a nap on the bus, the group arrived in Battle. I was beginning to get excited because the group was only TWO stops away from London! There wasn’t a lot of time but just enough to explore the battle grounds and the Battle Abbey ruins. Battle Abbey was an interesting place with a war based on who should be King. In this case, it meant death for King Harold in 1066 and power for William. The Abbey was unique because it was on a hill and had fortified gatehouse and wall.

The last stop on the way to London was Bodiam Castle! I was looking forward to seeing this castle although it was mostly in ruins. I had to walk across a bridge to get to the castle because it still had a moat that was in tact despite the inside being mostly in ruin. One interesting and wonderful part about the castle was that the steps going to the top the castle were still in tact and we were able to go all the way up and see the incredible views!

DSCN3771A — View from the highest point on the castle!

Once we were done exploring, the group got on the bus and headed toward London!! I was looking forward to moving into my home for the next four months and finding out my schedule.

Upon arrival though I quickly went through a roller coaster of emotions. While I have traveled many places and lived in all kinds of different situations I still experienced some culture-shock and home sickness.

To begin, I am the only member from my group that is staying in the main building at the International Students House. All of the wonderful fellow Pointers I just met live around a 10 minute walk away. Also my roommates all moved into the room last August so I was a little uneasy for the fact that I had to move my things and fit them into the place they call home. The room was about the size I expected. Despite the initial shocks and concerns I had, after about an hour of settling in I felt more at home.

This experience is what I make it and it will be amazing!

A Tour Ends and a Journey Begins

After a wonderful two days in Bath we hit the road again moving one step closer to London. During the drive the group made a quick stop in Salisbury to see the Salisbury Cathedral. The Cathedral was beautiful historic landmark that was even visited by Queen Elizabeth II.

The Salisbury Cathedral also offered us an opportunity to see one of the four Magna Carta documents. The document was written on one sheet of parchment in Latin and was still in good condition. The Magna Carta is an important part of British history and we were lucky to see the document as it was leaving to join the other three.

After a short time in Salisbury, I was in Brighton. Brighton is a beautiful city by the beach. The weather was not cooperating well and it was cold and raining but I was able to see quite a bit of the city and the Royal Pavilion.

The Royal Pavilion is breath taking and masterpiece inside and out. While it looks like a Taj Mahal on the outside the inside has an Asian theme. Sadly no pictures were allowed but it gave me the opportunity to really let the beauty and history behind it sink in.

DSCN3731A — The Great Hall Dining Area from a postcard photograph

After the Royal Pavilion we had free time. Hannah and I went down to the Brighton Pier to explore the area. While it was incredibly windy and raining, the pier is one of the main attractions in Brighton and worth braving the wind. Because of horrible weather my evening was cut short but I enjoyed my short stay!

Starting the trip out right

I made it safe and sound to London on December 31st and I have already had the opportunity to do so much! Upon arrival, I was relieved to find that may luggage made it fully intact and I was feeling good.

After finding our bus driver, we were brought right away to Stonehenge for a personal audio tour. While I knew what Stonehenge was I was unaware of all the unknowns that surround this ancient masterpiece.

In awe of this beauty — In awe of this ancient beauty

It is clear that the rocks used to create Stonehenge can from far away there is no documentation of how the rocks were brought to this site or raised. Some of the rocks are 25-30 tons and in 3000 BC there weren’t easy ways to move rocks of that size great distances. Once at the site it would still be hard to shape and move the rocks with few tools.

After walking around and finding out about the different meanings of why Stonehenge was thought to be built we were finally able to eat and relax for the night in Bath.

Bath is a beautiful city with a rich history and architecture that mimics the great city of Rome. It was here that I was able to celebrate the new year. I was sad that I was unable to see the fireworks in London and go to the parade but I was able to catch the recap of fireworks on TV and toast to 2015 with some really wonderful people.

In Bath, I was able to explore the city and go to the beautiful Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths. Both areas full of history in beauty. At Bath Abbey I was able to pick up some reading materials for my sister who appreciates reading and understanding the works of God. The Roman Baths were also exciting because I had never seen a hot spring before especially one that was seen to have power of God and healing within.

After seeing so much of the city I was able to have a calm night. I went to dinner with some of the girls from the group and then talk about plans and events we want to attend in the coming months.

It was been a whirl wind of sights and events during the first two days and I am so blessed to be taking part in such an amazing program! I can’t wait to see what 2015 has in store for me.

Happy New Year!

And so it begins..

It’s Christmas time and only 5 days left until I leave for the greatest adventure of my life (so far!). I will be spending the next 5 MONTHS in Europe as part of my study abroad programs.

I will be a part of the spring 2015 intern group that will be traveling to London. All the interns and I will be taking two classes through the University of London-Birkbeck and then interning at different organizations throughout London.

Classes and internships will last until April 18 and then I will be spending an extra month and a half exploring Europe! I am looking forward to growing professionally and expanding my knowledge of other cultures and countries.