MUST SEE AND DO IN LONDON

 Hi Sharks! If you didn’t see my first blog post, go check it out for basic information and what to pack! I definitely recommend studying abroad for two semesters if you are able to, as the first semester flew by and I was not ready to leave! I stayed on campus and lived in a townhome with 11 other random roommates. My biggest suggestion is to be open-minded because I went and did not know a single person and made the most amazing friends. I truly had the most incredible experience especially in the United Kingdom as there are unlimited amounts of things to do, see, and explore. If you have any other questions do not hesitate to reach out to me :) 

Culture shocks: I loved being surrounded by other cultures and learned so much that I never knew existed. Here are some of the culture shocks that I wrote down while studying abroad: 

1. A power bank is a portable charger 

2. There is only an “open door” button in an elevator (no close door button) 

3. Health care is free 

4. Ice doesn’t exist 

5. A backpack is a rack sack 

6. THE FOOD (best food ever) 

Tips for traveling to other countries: While being in London for the year, I traveled to almost 10 other countries! I would suggest packing very light and making sure your luggage fits the required size. Each airline has a different size requirement, but there have been many times when they almost didn’t let me on my flight because my luggage was too big. Also, if you are bringing liquids while traveling to other countries, they make you take all of them out and fit into a clear plastic bag, BUT they only give you one plastic bag. Make sure you are not bringing a lot of liquids and if you are, definitely put them in a bag that you are checking. Always have your passport and boarding pass out. You usually use your boarding pass to get through TSA, and then they check your ticket at the gate. 

(Cheese Fondue in Switzerland)                                     (Milan, Italy)

(Barcelona, Spain)

(Paris, France)

(Avoriaz, France)

(Barcelona, Spain)

(Eiffel Tower, France)

Sites that are a must In the United Kingdom: 

1. St. Paul’s Cathedral: This was by far my favorite place to go see in London. I would get tickets to go all the way up into the whispering gallery (which is the dome-shaped part of the cathedral).  I would go visit St. Paul’s to just read a book, eat some lunch, etc. 

(St. Paul's)

2. Borough and Camden Market: You must get the chocolate-covered strawberries from Borough Market! Seriously everything in both markets is so yummy! Very fun to walk around and explore.

                                                                        (Borough Market) 

 3. Dishoom: My favorite restaurant in London! It is Indian food, but everything is so good on the menu. 

(Dishoom) 

4. British Museum: You could seriously spend days in this museum due to the massive amount of artifacts and historical items to look at! 

(British Museum)

5. Tower Bridge: I would recommend getting tickets to walk inside and through the Tower Bridge. It was super cool to see how the bridge was built and learn about its history. 

(Tower Bridge)

6. Afternoon Tea: Anywhere in London is amazing for afternoon tea! If you are going to be in London, afternoon tea is a MUST! 

(Peggy's Afternoon Tea)

(Tiffany & Co's Afternoon Tea)

7. London Eye: I would suggest getting tickets to go on the London Eye! It is very cool because you can see all of the Big Ben and other famous monuments from the top! 

(London Eye)

8. Big Ben: Seeing pictures of the Big Ben does not do it justice…You have to go in person!!

(Big Ben)

9. Winter Wonderland: If you are in London during Christmas, they have this Christmas carnival that you must go to! It is filled with rides, games, music, food, drinks, etc. 

(Winter Wonderland)

10. Football (Soccer) Game: If you are a big soccer fan like me, you have to go to a league game to fully experience the culture of this sport! 

11. Christmas Lights: Starting in November, London starts setting up the most beautiful Christmas lights! Roam the streets in downtown London…Trust me it is magical! 

Preparing for a Year in London, United Kingdom

 Preparing for a Year in London, United Kingdom 

Hi Sharks! My name is Grace Cason and I studied abroad for a year in London, United Kingdom. I went to the University of Hertfordshire, which is located 40 mins outside the center of London. I had the decision to either study for one semester or two semesters, and I am so grateful I was able to choose to study abroad for two semesters. I arrived in London in mid-September and stayed until mid-July. I can’t wait to share with all of you about my experiences, how to pack for a year abroad, and tips to know before you get there!

Entry requirements: Since I was studying abroad for a year, I was required to apply for a visa. The process was not very difficult and by visiting the United Kingdom’s government website, it lists exactly the steps to follow in order to obtain a visa. I had to fill out online forms and then make an appointment with the immigration office where they took my fingerprints, specific forms, and my passport. My passport was then mailed back to me a month later with the visa inside. If i was going for a semester, I did not need to get a visa. 

Packing Clothes/Other Important Items: First of all, I had to get a whole brand new wardrobe, due to the fact I probably owned two pairs of jeans and a couple of hoodies. I would pack at least three big, warm raincoats because it rains almost every day in London. In addition, jeans are your best friend, so definitely have at least four good pairs! Definitely get thermals that you can wear under your jeans or even under skirts or shorts. I probably wore my thermals five times a week, especially if I wanted to wear a dress or shorts. I got mine from amazon and they are still in perfect condition, so they last you a very long time. I packed way too much and regret bringing three checked bags because I also shopped A LOT in London. The shopping is amazing in London, so I definitely recommend not bringing a lot because if you ever need anything there are so many shops you could go to and easily buy something. There are so many good stores for thrifting and other markets that have the cutest items! Bring a lot of plug converters!! I only brought one and had to go buy a lot more. Obviously bring your passport and other government-issued identifications. Since I was studying for a year abroad, I was required to apply for a biometric residence permit, which is basically another form of identification issued by the United Kingdom. 

Transportation: The University of Hertfordshire is located 40 mins outside the center of London, however, I would go into the city almost every weekend! I used the train and tube to get everywhere. It is honestly super reliable and easy to understand after a couple of times using it. Make sure you have Google Maps, type in where you want to go, and click the train icon. Once you do that, it'll show you the different routes you can take and what is the fastest way to get there. All of the train stations have signs, so I just followed what it said on Google Maps whenever I was in the train station. If you ever get lost, everyone is so helpful at the stations and would answer any questions you might have. Also, to make things cheaper, I purchased the railcard, which made my transactions a lot cheaper. All train stations have TAP, so I would just use my credit card to enter/exit the train stations. You can also buy train tickets online, and then print them out at the kiosks when you get to the station.  

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 :)

Beans on Toast: 06/10 - The Beginning

 After being here in London for a week, I finally took a special trip to the grocery store and picked up the light blue can of Heinz beans, whole wheat bread (because whole wheat was slightly cheaper than white bread), and lactose free butter (because I’ve never heard of such a thing). And for £5, I finally set off to make the oh so famous Beans and Toast. In my communal kitchen, I toasted two slices of bread (slightly burnt), and put a little butter on each slice because bread tastes better with butter. Before consuming, I opened the can of beans which smelled like tomato sauce and put a hefty spoonful amounts of beans on each toast. I hesitated because the combination would never have been thought of otherwise in my household. I should have filmed my experience to show my future kids that their mom tried this outer world combination. With a deep breath, I took my first bite…. ? Why is this delicious? I don’t understand. It was so delicious. I don’t know if it helps that I like beans, or the tomato sauce adds a savory flavor. But I really like this combination. And the cost of everything for £5 when I have enough for 2 more meals of beans and toast, make this meal unbeatable as my new “college student struggle meal.” This beats my instant ramen and egg combination in terms of effort, cost, and nutritional value. In my instant ramen, it has more carbs than protein, and an overload of sodium. But my American food pyramid told me that whole wheat bread is healthy carbs, beans have beneficial protein, and butter is delicious. I am, surprisingly, a big fan. 

So far, in the past week I have visited, the City of London, two different museums, Kensington Palace, Greenwich, Nottingham Gate, and explored Kensington/ Chelsea area. If I know which trains to take or which bus to catch for class, does this make me a local or a well explored tourist? I think the latter. But throughout all these travels, I realized my most satisfying travels have been where I do the unexpected and not the checklists on the tourist guides you pick up at the hotels. For instance, I’m currently writing this on an hour long bus ride from London bridge to 221B Baker Street. On this cloudy Sunday afternoon, I have no plans nor any appointments, so I figure that I’m okay with taking the bus because 1) it’s free for me, and 2)I get to see more of London this way without having to walk the journey. I do appreciate the tube station, but it can be exhausting just going underground and walking. I’m a bus rider at home in the US, so I’m okay with the journey and time consumption of taking it. It also gives me opportunity to site see places I may want to visit in the future. What better way to fuel my day then with beans and toast to start my day of exploring.

Philharmonic Dining Hall: Chicken and Mushroom Pie

 This weekend I took a trip to Liverpool and titled it “the Beatles.” Yes, you guessed it write, my day and a half trip consisted of me and my friend going around Liverpool visiting the inspirations and important landmarks of Beatles history. We started off the trip by taking off to Liverpool in a delayed coach ride that took 7 painful, sleepy, hours. It took us two stops to pick up people to get there and by the time we got there we were exhausted. We got off the coach and hurriedly made it to the Beatles Story museum where we booked tickets to explore on a self-guided audio tour of the biographies and stories of George, Paul, John, and Ringo. There were lots of artifacts from the four, and I even got to share over Whatsapp a video of the White Room dedicated to John’s famous Imagine music video scene with my grandpa, who loves the song. I thank technology for these moments where I get to share my experience with my grandparents who are halfway across the world. After visiting the gift shop where I reluctantly bought a sweatshirt to combat the 60 degree freeze outside, we headed to our Airbnb to drop off our items. I was surprised to be introduced to our host who is a Liverpool native, and had to carefully dissect her Scouse accent. We then journeyed to the Philharmonic dining hall, the same dining hall Paul McCartney performed at on the James Cordon carpool karaoke show. We had pies, mash, and veg, and by golly was it a better experience than the Sunday roast I had on the first night of my England journey. This meal was hot and filling with a side of gravy to pull all the flavors together. The pie was chicken and mushroom, and although I appreciated the large chunks of chicken, I would have liked to take bigger bites of mushroom as well. I washed it down with a berry rum cocktail. While looking towards the stained glass window where tables blocked the stage that was set up for Paul McCartney to play both his Beatles and Wings classics. I imagined what it would be like if that same stage was set up properly like that day and Paul came out with his solo for Hey Jude or Silly Love Songs. Being in Liverpool made it all the more surreal when we visited various Beatles landmarks the next day.

The Beatles hold a certain place in my heart because they’re songs were part of my childhood the same way that Fiji or Bruno Mars does. I grew up listening to their songs on catered CD’s burned by my mom or grandpa, who loved to share the music they loved. Although my name isn’t Jude, I used the Beatles to escape from reality by using their music as a certain comfort as if they wrote the song to help me get through tough times. It’s in the same way I used food to escape through cooking back home. Food has always been a comfort that holds a meaning of family and love, so to keep my head up through cooking meals for myself at home. This reminiscing of home through mashed potatoes and creamy chicken and mushroom, brought me back to my grandma’s cooking, and from this I realized that while trying to experience my own Beatles adventure, how much they have meant to my childhood and it’s almost like taking parts of Liverpool with me to bring back home. 

If you’re wondering if I had visited the famous Abbey Road in London, of course I have. But being by myself, I couldn’t bring myself to asking a random stranger to ask to take a photo of me stopping traffic for one slightly off angled photo of me trying to mimic the Abbey Road album cover. I stayed to people watch for ten minutes shifting my eyes back and forth from the angry drivers having to stop abruptly for a family taking their fifth photo to the family to the dozens of tourists lined up for their own photo. I would definitely recommend going and getting a photo of your own for making your London era in your Instagram complete. I think the best times to go is when it’s slightly cloudy, in the evening time so the light isn’t completely harsh.

Health is Wealth

 Wellness while studying abroad.

The other day, a friend said to me on the train: “I can’t remember the last time I tasted a fruit.” With some consideration I concluded that I also hadn’t gone out of my way to eat fruits or vegetables for quite some time, maybe a month? 

When we got off the train we headed straight for the nearest Tesco to load up on apples, broccoli, avocado, and whole grains. Tesco in London is comparable to Walmart, with fair prices and a large range of products.

We’ve been going out so often, it’s been easy to forget a balanced diet.

This put me on quite the health kick. Getting your physical, emotional, and intellectual health in check is important when you’re in a new place. If you’re like me however, this won’t be on the forefront of your mind until it’s urgent. I went through a series of colds, strep throat, and even hay fever, before getting my health situated.

Being from Hawai’i, I was not used to the cold and everything that came with it. If I didn’t close the window when I slept, I got sick. If I didn’t wear a warm jacket, I got sick. I had jackets, but I didn’t have a sweater with Scottish wool. I found one in a vintage thrift store in Scotland, and it allowed me to feel warm and healthy for the first time while out and about.

Also, transportation. Traveling on the train often close to so many people prompted me to start carrying around hand sanitizer as well. 

When you travel overseas, you’re required to get international health insurance. I am on something called CISI, cultural insurance services international, which is expensive, costing me about $55 per month. Since I pay this much, I am not hesitant to use it!

The doctor gave me loads of good advice, and one piece was that when you’re in a new place, it’s important to make sure you are taking care of your immunity with plenty of Zinc and vitamin C. 

Back at home, I’m used to my partner taking care of me. So in a funny way, being sick reminds me of him. But now I don’t have that. Oh, and we separated right before I left, oops. This presents my next problem: heartbreak. Therapy abroad anyone?

All it took from me was the smallest inquiry to my program, AIFS, about needing mental health support, and my emails were flooded with resources. I didn’t even get around to reading them before a counselor found me after class and took me out to lunch to talk it all out. Then, someone else offered mentoring, and another, therapy sessions.

I’ve found heartbreak to be a great unifier. It’s important to me, as a psychiatry intern, to experience what clients describe to me as a stressor that turns their worlds upside down. It’s nice to mean it when I say, “I understand”. If you’re worried about your mental health abroad, ask for help. This is common and your program will be well equipped and prepared to support you in every way they can.

With my medical and mental health in check, I proceeded to focus on the intellectual and physical components. This involved study groups and trips to the gym. I really like the gyms here, they just make sense.

While you’re studying abroad, going with the flow, and having fun, it’s easy to forget about health preservation until you get sick. Before it is too late, you can establish who you’ll call when you need help. But even if you don’t, you’ll be okay.

The way the insurance works is, you pay the clinician upfront, and then file a claim for CISI to reimburse you. The clinics I’ve seen in London have been pleasant and accommodating.

To recap: remember fruits and vegetables, and vitamin C and Zinc for immunity and gut health. If you need help, ask. My additional advice is to check in with your friends and loved ones back home, but be present with your new friends and experiences as well. 

Another thing I’ve found beneficial is allowing myself resting days. There is so much you’ll want to do, but don’t forget to take breaks and check in with yourself!

P.S. Did I mention I ran into Brandon from HPU debate club at the natural history museum? Smalll world.