Exploring the San Francisco of England

By Kylynne Macfadyen, Music Industry & Technology and Mass Communication Design

“How was Brighton?” is a question I get almost every time I see someone I haven’t seen since December, when I left to study abroad for a semester in England. But how does one answer such a loaded question? The truth is…you can’t. All you can do is smile and say, “Study abroad was amazing and I loved every minute of it.”

Although this is a true statement, it doesn’t even begin to express how I really feel. I don’t believe that I will ever find the words to explain my time abroad. But I can say that living and studying in Brighton was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, one that has changed me forever. I was given the chance to live and go to university in a country completely different than our own and while doing so, I experienced a new culture first-hand and made a couple life-long friends.

Brighton is a vibrant city full of people from all walks of life; it’s even often referred to as “the San Francisco of England.”  During my stay there, I became acquainted with British music, food, and fashion but my favorite part of the English culture was and still is the dry sense of humor that most English people seem to possess. Some of the funniest, wittiest, most interesting people I have met are English, and I attribute this to their unbelievably sarcastic tone and snarky comments. Many of them really love to make playful pokes at American politics or pop-culture, but the funny thing is, they’re secretly fascinated with the United States and its people. Just don’t ask them to do an American accent…most of the time, they’re pretty atrocious.

Along with the humor, British phrases and slang are something I will always miss. Sayings like “top off” or “chuck it in the bin” are just a few of the many English expressions that I now hold near and dear to my heart. And although I love English speak, English food is pretty great in itself. Sunday Roast (a “Thanksgiving like” meal that is offered every Sunday in most pubs) will forever be some of the greatest stuff I will ever taste. I have fond memories of going to the pub on Sunday to watch the football game and have a roast with some of my English friends.

England is one of the most amazing countries I have ever been to, and I hope that I can make it back there some day. I am enamored with English people and their culture…and let’s be honest, the English countryside isn’t too bad either. By studying abroad, I was given the chance to learn and live in England for five months, and I will never forget the memories I made, the friends I had, or just how much that experience has changed me.

I’m a different person after studying abroad, and I recommend it with all of my heart. If you’re looking for an amazing, life-changing experience, studying abroad is the right decision for you.

 

 

 

Fall 2012 Study Abroad Information Sessions:

Wednesday 5-6 p.m SSC 150

Friday 2-3 p.m. SSC150