camBRIDGE-ING the gap

And so ends my first week in Sheffield.

Since Wednesday, I'm very excited to say that I haven't been late for another class, am relatively caught up on my readings, and I have given both Sheffield and England "a little go."

I had my first Internet and Society sociology class on Thursday and I am so HYPE(RLINKED) about it! The class focuses on the sociological impacts of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) on familial and social relationships, work environments, and sexualities. I have been very interested in taking a course on the increasing influence of the Internet on our communication practices, so I'm very excited about this course. Plus, my professor is very enthusiastic and passionate about the subject she teaches, so that makes the class even more enjoyable.

One of the more surprising things to me about students in the UK is their seemingly carefree attitude about what they are going to be doing after college. Most of the second and third year students seem to be unconcerned with their post-graduation plans and are simply content with just living life. I don't know whether to be envious of their stress-free approach or worried for their futures.

Fridays are my worst day with two two-hour courses. The first of the day (journalism and political communication) is very interesting and engaging. The second (public administration for journalists) is a course designed for first year students and is filled with students who like "being in college" more than going to class.

Both courses have an intensive focus on local government in the UK, which will take a lot of studying and effort on my part if I am going to do well. Most of these students have grown up learning some sort of local and national civics, so they are already ahead of the game. It'll take work, but I'm sure I'm going to be just fine.... good thing the first line in the Wikipedia article on local government in England reads, "The pattern of local government in England is complex, with the distribution of functions varying according to the local arrangements."

Friday night I went to a student-directed and produced play called Stockholm. It was a very interesting look at the complexities of romantic and family relationships as well as how a young couple deals with their personal demons. I was pleasantly pleased at the performances by the actors and was glad I was able to experience a student's perspective on life and love.

Then came Saturday: or should I say then CAMBRIDGE Saturday. Every weekend, the University hosts relatively priced day trips to various English towns for students through a program called "give it a go."

Cambridge, home to 31 colleges that together makeup Cambridge University, is absolutely beautiful. From the Gothic-inspired King's College Chapel to the medieval majesty of St. John's residence halls, the city was an amazing experience.

We arrived to Cambridge at about 11 AM and we left to explore the city at our leisure. Our first stop was King's College Chapel, which was began by King Henry VI in 1441 and was not finished until 90 years later in 1531, when the last Stained Glass masterpiece was put into place and King Henry VIII was in power.

Entrance to King's College

We then went to tour Trinity College (which has been home to many members of the Royal family, including Prince Charles) and got a glimpse of St. John's. We had lunch in a pub that was built in 1667 called "The Eagle," which is know for it's historic ceiling. Apparently, after one night of heavy celebrating for the end of WWII, members of the US Air Force and Royal Air Force (UK) drunkenly crawled on each others' shoulders to write the names and numbers of their squadrons on the ceiling of the pub with lipstick and lighters. ALSO: I'm truly British now as I have finally had Fish 'n' chips.

After a bit more touring, we deciding to finally give in to the peddler's on the street and partake in a sightseeing tour called punting. Like the gondola's of Venice, these little boats gave us a backside look of the main colleges on the River Cam. I was against the idea in the beginning of the day because it was so cold, but it quickly became my favorite event of the day because it gave us an incredibly different view of the city.

Punting Boats
Overall, it was a great day and I cannot wait to tour more of the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe. I'm so grateful and fortunate for my time abroad and I know this is an incredible experience I'll never forget.



Oh, and wishing everyone a LOVEly Valentine's
Day <3




More Cambridge Pictures: