London Spring: Some things you need to know

 Hi everyone!

It has been a minute but I wanted to come on here and share a little more about my second, and final, semester in London. Again, my name is Hope and I spent the last year studying abroad in London!

It has now been well over four months since I got back on the island and it has given me a lot of time to put together some things for you all. I would like to send a disclaimer that this is not going to be the most positive post but I hope it will help you in making your decisions!

Is Spring in London worth it?

Honestly, I would say it depends. I'm not going to lie and say that it was all terrible, because there were really good moments in my second semester, but there were other factors that made it not the most ideal situation. Also, these factors were mostly on me so if you catch these early on it would probably be better for you.

╰┈➤ There is no real "Spring" in London 

Now this might be controversial depending on where you are in the US, and maybe this is just because I grew up on island, but Spring doesn't really start until April-May (and saying April is really me being generous). Some days you would get lucky and the sun would come out for an hour or two but mostly it stayed winter weather almost my entire second semester there. Which would be good for those of that like that sort of weather but for everyone else, it is a big thing to consider when choosing what semester you would head out there.

 

On the left were most days and on the right was literally the last day of April. I kid you not when I say this was the first couple of days of Spring.

╰┈➤ It's kind of dull 

Due to the lack of holidays and celebrations during this time of year, compared to the Fall/Winter semester, London wasn't that exciting. There weren't that many events or fairs going on during the spring, like Winter Wonderland @ Hyde Park or any of the Christmas Markets. Even all of the markets were sort of empty due to the constant rainy and windy
weather so if you planned to try and do something they were limited to indoor activities. Which can be equally as fun, you just need to find your niche!

 

As you can see we did what we could but usually stuff was indoors and for a fee, and that plus transportation wasn't the most ideal.

╰┈➤  Classes 

This was my view most weekends :(

Now this is where I messed up big time. During my second semester, I took a media production class, not only that I took a photojournalism class as well. A huge part of this is because the school that I was going to messed up my schedule and I had to choose something available, which wasn't a lot. However, if you are going abroad and are there for a limited amount of time DO NOT choose a class that involves a camera. Unless that is what you're passionate about and you don't mind most of your time being consumed by editing or camerawork, you're just going to find yourself missing out on all of your time to explore!

Now, I don't mean to tell you this to push you off from studying abroad because there were so many incredible things I got to do during this semester too (which will be my next post!). However, it is important to know some of the things that I either wasn't aware of or didn't understand just how much of an impact they would have. I'm sure I would've had a more amazing time if I wasn't in certain classes and had more free time. So just take this with a grain of salt, your experience is up to you!!

Anyways, if you have anymore questions please feel free to let me know @/whenhopemeetsworld on ig would probably be best!! 

Thank youu :)) 

*ೃ༄  Hope 

The road less traveled...

    Around the UK...

            ☆ ° ｡⋆⸜ 🎧 listening to anything by the Cranberries

       

  During my first semester abroad, I was able to visit multiple neighboring countries. The travel time as well as the costs are so much less than in the States so it's definitely something you should take advantage of. Through most of my travels my friends and I took Ryanair, which is an affordable airline where I could get tickets for like $25! 

Out of the many cool places that you could travel to, for this trip, my friends and I journeyed an hour and a half out to...

˗ˏˋ ꒰ Cork, Ireland ꒱ ˎˊ˗

  

Now, some places may seem out-of-the-blue, somewhere you never heard of, or never had on your list. While having a list is amazing, it's also really fun to explore places you hadn't thought of. Places that may be more local or let you have a feel of everyday life rather than what larger cities will show you.

Cork was such a wild card but very fun nonetheless!! Lots of cool history, castles, and amazing scenic views!! 

Our day started out rough with a slight miscommunication we had missed our tour, however, we made the best out of it and started our day at our BnB with a traditional Irish breakfast!! 

Blarney Castle & Bus rides

featuring the buses that had
Cench on the side of them

Blarney Castle!!

We took a tour of the castle and even kissed the Blarney Stone!!

 It was not crowded at all in fact many of the places we went to were very 

chill in terms of crowds. So I would definitely suggest visiting around mid to late 

November, however, make sure to pack some warm clothes, an umbrella or rain jacket, 

and some thick socks because it was cold, rainy, and windy!!

the cutest little castle guardians!!

finally, saw some of the most amazing 

scenic views with the cutest cows!

... while in Ireland we were able to stay around the city and try out some local pubs and restaurants which was super fun. Although it was a bit rough and many things were unexpected it was such an amazing trip! As I said before, take advantage of your time abroad and, if you have the time, take a trip somewhere you may have never thought of before.

☆ ° ｡⋆⸜ THANK YOU for reading!!

(p.s follow me on my study abroad ig @/whenhopemeetsworld for more fun posts)

a very London fall

There are many tiny joys that we miss in Hawai'i, in the season of fall. The cool weather, the ability to wear multiple layers without looking (or feeling) crazy, escaping the cold into warm cafes and bookstores, and most importantly, the beautiful fall colors!

So when I made the decision to move to London for my Sophomore year, I expected to arrive in chilly English late-September... I couldn't be more wrong. 

The air was humid and hot, at least hotter than I expected with my sweatshirt and jean jacket combo. 

I kid you not, if you do come to London around September time do not think it will be cool and breezy those first couple of weeks, for the most part, it was so similar to the weather patterns on the island! 

For a little preview, this is what my room looked like when I first got to school! There is no AC and, as far as I know, that's how it's like for most places :( 

The school did provide fans which was nice but it was definitely working overtime through all hours of the day. 

Otherwise, you keep your windows open and cross your fingers that you don't get ladybug-infested curtains (I am not kidding they're cute until you realize you have an army of them quite literally over your head)

Apart from those first few adrenaline-packed weeks, the weather began to cool down and I could finally start enjoying the magic of fall in London!

If you are even the slightest bit interested in London, you will know some of the most iconic sights but also the coolest experiences that you can have while walking around! Here are a few of my favorites that I got to do during my first semester :)

1. Walking through the Parks 

        

One thing that I do like about this city is how walkable it is. Especially if you are someone who likes your alone time or enjoys being in nature many parks hidden within the busy streets will transport you to a calmer environment. 

The picture on the right and the one below are some of my adventures through Regents Park. The park itself is huge and spans over 400 acres, it is home to the London Zoo and Queen Mary's Garden. 

There are soo many beautiful spots in this park perfect for a quiet time!

     

I explored this park a lot within my first month there and was able to see a good amount of it but it can be a bit overwhelming and easily confusing, especially on your own. 

Google Maps is pretty reliable to help you find your way back but Citymapper is a good alternative too!

october 29

2. Markets!!!  

One of my favorite things to do...throughout the city you can find different markets that appeal to various crowds. 

On the right, is when I visited Borough Market famous for the enormous amount of food options like the chocolate-covered strawberries (they were soo good). 

So bright and busy even though we went really late in the day but soo fun. 

Highly recommend, when you go with friends have everyone get a little something and make a makeshift charcuterie board after. My friends and I did it, it was so good and so cheap, 100% better than dining hall food lol!

 3. Cafes/Cafe hopping

1000% recommend saving a bunch of different cafes to try out while your abroad around your area. This cafe is in Camden and was so close to my school!

SO cute and cozy we were like the only customers left before it closed, we spent like two hours there just studying and before we left the guy working gave us free pastries!!! 

It was such a chill and relaxing time but there are so many hole-in-the-wall places like this one that are perfect for studying or catching up with friends :)

Here is a list of some good study spots!

4. Sightseeing

Obviously, when you're so close to these iconic and historical places you're going to want to at least stop by.

 In the beginning, that is all I did. Visiting the palace and Big Ben and some beautiful sites like Primrose Hill (Pictured Below). 

Seeing some of these places was actually so surreal, as it was something that I had dreamed about for so long. Even writing this I can't believe that I have seen these sites...I've visited benny so many times now throughout my time abroad and it still never gets old seeing that view. 

 Fall in London has been an experience of a lifetime! There are so many incredible things that you can do throughout the season. It is bustling with life and cultures and has so many opportunities that you should take advantage of!  

If you have any questions about my life here so far, whether it be school or recommendations, please feel free to reach out to me on my ig/ @whenhopemeetsworld 

thank you :)

The English

With our Japan trip around the corner, I will finally wrap up my 8 month English experience. 

Studying abroad led me from one opportunity to another, and even from one country to the next. 

I realized all that I was capable of and the epiphany was empowering. It ignited confidence, independence, and a zest for life.

English Food

The most twisted thing about the U.K. is its lack of twisting. Lemons, that is. 

For many Americans, it strikes as culture shock that England is void of lemonade. The gloomy reality of English lemonade is that no fresh lemons are involved, and it is essentially sprite. 

The English love fresh-squeezed orange juice, halloumi, clotted cream, jam, biscuits, English Breakfast tea, weetabix and big, sweet strawberries that took decades to perfect.

The strawberry season is from May to September, so I came at the right time to eat my fill of juicy, ruby red, $2/lb strawberries. 

Berry season was delightful in England, I loaded up bucketfuls of blueberries from fields in South London, to make cobbler, muffins, or just smoothies and snacks. Even the exclusive and expensive London Borough Market had a great deal (pick three fruit for £1). 

Here’s where you should eat: see Cloë’s Google Reviews and

Camden Market

Portobello Market

Chinatown

The Real Wan

Westfields

Wagamama

40 Maltby Street

Ole & Steen (Download “Too Good to Go” app)

The English Rose

Coombeshead Farm

Gordan’s Wine Bar

Chisuru

Financial Transparency

Here’s how I paid to study abroad. I received these grants and scholarships: 

Generation Study Scholarship

Federal Pell Grant

HPU Need Grant

J. Scott Van Der Meid Scholarship

HPU Study Abroad Scholarship

Gilman Scholarship

Holomua Grant

This resulted in $25,417 of financial aid. I also sold my car ($5,900) before leaving. So in total, I had about $31,317 to pay for my tuition, accommodation, and travel, over the 8 month period. 

The largest and most realistic study abroad scholarship to apply for is the Gilman scholarship. The AIFS summer experience was $12,000 for 12 credit hours. The University of Essex Autumn experience was $19,000 for 12 credit hours. So that just about worked out. I’ve been home and back in the groove of work for the past two months. Fortunately, I am still on track to graduate with no debt.

If you’ve worked out the scholarships and grants necessary to cover HPU, an exchange school is a good option because this will transfer directly to the exchange school you attend overseas. I took 12 credits over the summer because that was the minimum amount required to receive the full extent of my scholarships.

Contact me with any specific questions about my application process and written essays.

Summer

My summer season in England was spent traveling/learning/working. 

On July 19, London reached its hottest day in history at 104.4 °F. 

I was right in the heart of London on a this day, walking to work. Was it as dramatic as it sounds? 

I think so. I saw people faint and desperate for water while firetrucks flew to and from incidents. London isn’t built for that kind of heat. 

If you only get the chance to spend one semester in England, I think Spring would be perfect so that you can experience the range of seasons. 

But if possible, stay a whole year! This summer 2022, pandemic restrictions were lifted and many people traveled around Europe.

Throughout the summer, from May to August, I looked up cheap flight and train tickets on Kiwi. Each trip included Airbnb, food, and transportation expenses. This ranged from $50 to $500 per trip. I visited Scotland, France, Croatia, Italy, Tel Aviv, India, Dubai, Sweden, and Vietnam. 

There are many places in England to explore, so you don’t have to leave the country for great adventures. 

But if you’re like me, island born and raised, try to seize this opportunity. Go all in and travel as much as possible!

AIFS

My home-base was a tall, thin Victorian house in London with a small garden and library throughout my 12-week program with the American Institute of Foreign Exchange. 

I lived with 9 students who also interned in psychology, finance, fashion and media placements. 

My roommates and I communicated before meeting because we all had to navigate our work visa and flights to London. I actually got my Visa from the Immigration office at Waterfront, building 2. It took two months to receive it, so apply early.

Upon meeting, we were instant friends. We adventured together, shared meals, watched movies, traveled, and had a lot of fun. I miss them! 

Some, like me, booked their own flights/accommodation and opted out of the optional AIFS Paris trips. Especially if visiting people we knew.

The other friends I made from my classes were in the first, second, or third three-week AIFS programs. For that reason, they were housed in a different accommodation that could hold more students cycling in and out. 

The accommodation was an apartment 40 minutes away from us via tube. These students didn’t intern, but took a three or six credit course instead. I miss them too!

The AIFS organization is there to help. They put together many events for us each week including: Shoreditch Street Art Walking Tour , Germany v Spain EUFA Women's, King Lear, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Brixton Walking Tour, Stratford-upon-Avon Daytrip, English Country Dancing Class, and so much more. 

This is similar to what HPU does each week, so that students have options for weekly activities when they’re getting used to a new place. 

Personally, I asked AIFS for a lot of favors. I requested to use their computer for my internship, and I asked them to get the interns tickets to the London Eye, afternoon tea, and take us out to a last hurrah dinner. They graciously accepted each request.

They also held all my luggage for me when I left for a month to Vietnam. AIFS has many resources, so they are happy to help. I recommend the organization. 

Fall-Winter

I spent my “Autumn” semester at the University of Essex, check out this blog to learn more! 

The University of Essex is based in Colchester, 40 minutes northeast of London by train.  (The train is overground, the tube is under.)

The University of Essex is home to a beautiful Fall, and it was my first time seeing leaves change colors. There isn’t much to do in Colchester, so the university has many clubs, sports, events, and activities to join.

Towards the end of November, temperatures dropped to 30°F. It was colder and colder from there, and difficult to get any sunlight. Behind a cloudy sky, the sun rose at 9 pm,  then set shortly after at 3pm. It was a true English winter.

Mid-December, it began to snow. Our white Christmas felt like a winter movie. The English ate mince pies and drank mulled wine. I wore a beanie and gloves from Tesco. It was a vibe.

English Adventures

There’s no limit to the English adventures available to you. While you’re there, you must visit:

Alcotraz

Wales

Stonehenge

Bath

Coswolds

The Mandrake Hotel “hidden terrace”

Sky Garden

Chinatown

Giant’s Causeway

St. James Park

Wellington Arch

Tower of London

Windsor

Lake District National Park

Cambridge

Oxford

Snowdonia

Kingston

Character Development - “It’s about the journey, not the destination” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

I think you have the agency to dictate your experience on planet Earth. You may even find yourself in a rocket to the moon. No matter where you end up, the journey will force you to grow and learn what you were born to know. 

We all come from different backgrounds, which you can use to your advantage or disadvantage. The immersion into so many lifestyles, languages, cultures, foods, education approaches, and personalities that you are not used to, will change you. 

I totally changed the course of my life in order to study abroad. I wanted a long and enriching experience for myself. I worked hard for many scholarships, reached out to family/friends around the world, and let go of any possession or relationship holding me back, which even included my car! Nothing about my experience was passive. I actively participated in sports, events, and skill-buildings lessons with an open mind.

Closing thoughts: Seize every opportunity abroad, have fun doing it, stay in touch with your global connections, take lots of pictures, and don’t expect to pick up an English accent. Be brave, be yourself.