The Magical Mystery Tours

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Maximillian Lujan

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Maximillian Lujan

<i>Pronouns:</i> He/him <i>Home Institution:</i> University of California, Santa Cruz <i>Expected Graduation:</i> 2024 <i>Major / Minor:</i> History <i>Study Abroad Location:</i> London, United Kingdom <i>"Hello" in your host country's language:</i> Hello <i>Program Provider:</i> UCEAP <i>Identity:</i> Hispanic/Latinx, First-Generation College Student, Community College Student, Transfer Student, Returning/Adult Learner, LGBTQ+, Former Foster Youth <i>Future Career Goals:</i> I have many different career paths I'm interested in exploring. With my history degree, a clear path would be in the educational field. I'm interested in exploring museum work – whether that's writing, researching, curating documenting, or guiding. I am also interested in working with music in some capacity, whether it's as a side project or combining it with my history skills. I'm excited to explore all of the possibilities, especially with internship opportunities during the next two summer breaks. I want a career that I can take pride in and enjoy. I also want to make sure I can provide for myself and family a comfortable lifestyle into the future. <i>Top 3 Goals for your time abroad:</i> 1. Personal growth. I want to experience personal growth, adapting to this entirely new environment. It will be filled all new people, students, professors, locations, experiences etc. and I think it'll be an enriching experience for my self-confidence. Everyday will be a fun learning experience and opportunity for personal and academic growth. I want to broaden my perspectives on the world while being immersed in a new culture. 2. Make new friends. I hope to make some good friendships and connections while abroad, especially to people that hold similar interests to mine. I hope there are other students just like me and we can potentially visit famous landmarks together. Since this will be such a unique once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, I hope to grow alongside the people I'm with. I also hope to make friends with local Londoners, or even just having some nice chats while I'm there. 3. Improved career opportunities and career perspective. By visiting a location that houses some of the most significant historical archives, landmarks, and museums in the world, I hope to see up close and personal what helps real historians tick. I've only been able to explore places of local interest, but going across the world to see places that I've only read about can give me some real potential career experience for my future. I might figure out that this is what I love, and travel to other countries and museums throughout my life to further my exploration

Today I visited Liverpool, England, the town where the The Beatles grew up, honed their skills and gained their early following. I’ve learned during my time abroad that no matter how much pre-planning you do, there will always be hurdles and moments where you have to improvise. The day started with a 7:45 train ride, which my friend and I missed due to being at the wrong train station. At first we panicked, and looked at how much the next train would cost. To our surprise, the tickets had quadrupled in price. My friend figured we’d likely go home but if I learned anything so far, it’s to keep trying. I quickly arrived at the correct station and asked around before being told that it would be okay to get on the next train free of charge with the same ticket. A major relief!

The day went smoothly at first as we had given ourselves lots of extra time between the two museums we planned to visit, since the tickets had entry times. The Beatles museum and a British music museum were filled with amazing music memorabilia which we took in for hours. Them the extreme winds kicked in and I realized that the next areas we planned to visit were a ways away on public transit. We then quickly ran to catch the bus that comes only once an hour, and I had a funny mishap which is standard at this point. Unsure of how public transit worked in Liverpool, I assumed it was just like London where you tap your card and hop on. However, the friendly bus driver watched my confusion as my card did nothing and asked me what I needed, to which I replied “A single ticket?”. He gave me a friendly remark about machines not being able to do everything, and that sometimes human interaction is necessary.

We made our destination then found ourselves again with a bus that wouldn’t come for another hour. Instead of contuining to get around like locals, we then opted for the assistance of about 3 Uber rides to get to our locations then back to the train station, where we learned that the earlier train we were to take back was cancelled, along the next train. Without fretting, I understood that waiting the 2 hours would be the only option. This was the final train of the night that would be going to London, and it was possible that it would be cancelled along with its to predecessors. Instead of worrying too hard I also planned what I could do next, whether that be a late night bus or staying the night in town. Thankfully the train arrived as scheduled. I made myself productive and finished some homework before finally making it to the packed train.

It never fails to amaze me during my travels that with so many “close calls” and wrenches thrown in, everything ends up okay. On my trip to Como, Italy last week, me and a friend sprinted through a train station we’d never been to, found our train, and got on 30 seconds before it departed. Before we even got our breath it started moving. I always keep moving forward, and always keep planning, and keep rolling with the punches!

Seeing Penny Lane, Strawberry Field, the church where John and Paul met, and so much Beatles memorabilia was a surreal experience. The early mornings, sleepy train rides and sore feet are always worth it.