I decided to create a blog not only for my int'l exchange program but for the entire year of 2012. I can't think of a better word than dynamic to describe my life this year. It will be marked by continuous excitement and change. Seeing India after so many years, Living in England, Traveling all over Europe, Graduating from UW, Attending my best friend's wedding, Moving to San Francisco, Starting to work for Deloitte and more! If any time is a good time to start a blog..it's now! So, read on to hear about my Manchester Madness!
It has been about 1.5 weeks since I arrived in Manchester and every second of it has been memorable. Of course, I'm sure the novelty of everything will wear off soon enough..but for now I'm loving the excitement surrounding all of my daily encounters.
I am living at a dorm called Whitworth Park residence halls within which there are numerous houses. My house is called Garstang House. For my fellow huskies, think the outside of Mercer (brick buildings) but a nicer inside version of McMahon! I was a little nervous thinking about living in a dorm again, but since I have my own room it isn't bad at all! (Pic below)Within my flat, I have 2 other business flatmates (not roommates lol) in my program. Most of the other girls are first year British students. So far, everyone I've met whether it be through my exchange program or other things have been bloody brilliant! Definitely excited to get to know even more new people and further my connections with those I've already met :)
I've started classes and they're pretty good. Being a second semester senior is pretty tough to stay motivated as it is...then, if you throw a study abroad in to the mix it gets a little bit problematic haha but we'll see what happens. The cool thing about MBS (Manchester Business School) is they have a lot more management classes available in comparison to Foster. Being a psych major as well, it's fun to take org psych/org behavior classes. Plus, hearing those charming British accents from my professors makes any situation more enjoyable!
I also joined a British choir- University of Manchester Chorus. Obviously, the experience cannot be compared to Chorale, HusKEYS, or AWAAZ but it definitely keeps me singing and happy! This semester we'll be singing Tippett's A Child of Our Time. You know how in rehearsal sometimes we try and make our vowels taller "like the British?" Well, here...everyone's vowels are already tall! haha During rehearsal here the best moment was when we tried to sing a spiritual and my director says in a Southern accent... "C'mon...not so proper....more like the Americans!" haha I definitely think it will be a fun-filled entertaining semester! While I'm on the topic of music, Oliver is playing at the local theatre and I'm so pleased that I'll be able to see a British musical in England!
Other highlights of Manchester/My experience thus far:
- Everything is on the other side when it comes to traffic- definitely takes some getting used to
- Everyone says cheers, bloody hell, and brilliant! Just watch, I will come back with awesome slang! Also, "are you alright?"' is the equivalent to "how's it going." First time I heard it I was thoroughly confused =P
- I have booked a trip to Dublin on St. Patty's day with like 20 other exchange students. It's going to be insanely fun! Then, on my 22nd birthday I'll head to London to visit Gauri & Alok. It'll be fun to see friends on my birthday. It's lucky it worked out- Gauri's studying in London and Alok will be going to his cousin's wedding. =D
- For all my brownies at home, in Manchester there's a "curry mile" where you can get food, clothes, and anything South Asian-related. (I don't need to find a Sally's Nails equivalent haha threading is available, ladies!) It's pretty sweet how big of a desi population is in Manchester. Even Dominos and Subway have chicken tikka and tandoori chicken options- hilarious!
- Yesterday I took a trip to Liverpool with some friends and visited the Beatles museum and also visited "The Cavern"- the place where the Beatles were essentially discovered! It was great to see a slice out of history. The international societies on campus put together weekend trips so I'll definitely try to go on more of the trips around the UK.
- Manchester is where the industrial revolution started so while it is not a magnificently beautiful city, it has a lot of history, culture, museums, art galleries, theatres, and things like that. In other words..lots to do, lots to see!
Other than that, not much else to report. Loving life here, but definitely missing everyone back home as well.
Will report more of my funny sightings, interesting stories, and adventures in weeks to come!
CHEERIO!
It has been about 1.5 weeks since I arrived in Manchester and every second of it has been memorable. Of course, I'm sure the novelty of everything will wear off soon enough..but for now I'm loving the excitement surrounding all of my daily encounters.
I am living at a dorm called Whitworth Park residence halls within which there are numerous houses. My house is called Garstang House. For my fellow huskies, think the outside of Mercer (brick buildings) but a nicer inside version of McMahon! I was a little nervous thinking about living in a dorm again, but since I have my own room it isn't bad at all! (Pic below)Within my flat, I have 2 other business flatmates (not roommates lol) in my program. Most of the other girls are first year British students. So far, everyone I've met whether it be through my exchange program or other things have been bloody brilliant! Definitely excited to get to know even more new people and further my connections with those I've already met :)
I've started classes and they're pretty good. Being a second semester senior is pretty tough to stay motivated as it is...then, if you throw a study abroad in to the mix it gets a little bit problematic haha but we'll see what happens. The cool thing about MBS (Manchester Business School) is they have a lot more management classes available in comparison to Foster. Being a psych major as well, it's fun to take org psych/org behavior classes. Plus, hearing those charming British accents from my professors makes any situation more enjoyable!
I also joined a British choir- University of Manchester Chorus. Obviously, the experience cannot be compared to Chorale, HusKEYS, or AWAAZ but it definitely keeps me singing and happy! This semester we'll be singing Tippett's A Child of Our Time. You know how in rehearsal sometimes we try and make our vowels taller "like the British?" Well, here...everyone's vowels are already tall! haha During rehearsal here the best moment was when we tried to sing a spiritual and my director says in a Southern accent... "C'mon...not so proper....more like the Americans!" haha I definitely think it will be a fun-filled entertaining semester! While I'm on the topic of music, Oliver is playing at the local theatre and I'm so pleased that I'll be able to see a British musical in England!
Other highlights of Manchester/My experience thus far:
- Everything is on the other side when it comes to traffic- definitely takes some getting used to
- Everyone says cheers, bloody hell, and brilliant! Just watch, I will come back with awesome slang! Also, "are you alright?"' is the equivalent to "how's it going." First time I heard it I was thoroughly confused =P
- I have booked a trip to Dublin on St. Patty's day with like 20 other exchange students. It's going to be insanely fun! Then, on my 22nd birthday I'll head to London to visit Gauri & Alok. It'll be fun to see friends on my birthday. It's lucky it worked out- Gauri's studying in London and Alok will be going to his cousin's wedding. =D
- For all my brownies at home, in Manchester there's a "curry mile" where you can get food, clothes, and anything South Asian-related. (I don't need to find a Sally's Nails equivalent haha threading is available, ladies!) It's pretty sweet how big of a desi population is in Manchester. Even Dominos and Subway have chicken tikka and tandoori chicken options- hilarious!
- Yesterday I took a trip to Liverpool with some friends and visited the Beatles museum and also visited "The Cavern"- the place where the Beatles were essentially discovered! It was great to see a slice out of history. The international societies on campus put together weekend trips so I'll definitely try to go on more of the trips around the UK.
- Manchester is where the industrial revolution started so while it is not a magnificently beautiful city, it has a lot of history, culture, museums, art galleries, theatres, and things like that. In other words..lots to do, lots to see!
Other than that, not much else to report. Loving life here, but definitely missing everyone back home as well.
Will report more of my funny sightings, interesting stories, and adventures in weeks to come!
CHEERIO!
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