Returning from Stockholm and The Efficiency of Kingston University

By:

Makenzie Kuykendall

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Makenzie Kuykendall

<i>"Hello" in your host country's language:</i> Hello! <i>Home Institution (your U.S. University/College):</i> University of Idaho <i>Expected graduation year:</i> 2023 <i>Destination city & country:</i> London, England <i>Program provider:</i> ISA <i>Major/minor:</i> Education with a focus in Art <i>Demographics:</i> I am a first generation college student and love to help others <i>Future career aspirations:</i> After graduation, my goals are to teach english as a second language abroad through programs such as JET and EPIK, become a high school art teacher in the Seattle area, and illustrate children's books <i>Top 3 goals for your time abroad:</i> Maintain a 4.0 GPA, fill out a new page of my sketchbook every day, and travel within my city or the UK every weekend.

My time in Stockholm went well. I visited several museums (The ABBA museum was my favorite) and got to see reindeer at a zoo. However, by the last day, I was extremely eager to leave. I think a week was too long for me to be on a trip. I started to get tired of eating out all the time, and missed my own cooking a lot. I think it’s kind of funny, because I am yet to experience culture shock in the UK, but I think I experienced it during the last couple of days I was in Stockholm. I arrived back in London on the 17th, just in time to avoid Storm Eunice. I hadn’t been paying much attention to the news on my trip, so I am lucky that there were no cancellations or delays for my trip back.

I didn’t leave my dorm during the weekend because of the storm. I didn’t mind being stuck inside because it was very relaxing after coming back from my trip. I got to spend time calling friends, planning for my internship next year, and playing some video games. On Monday a couple of my friends returned from their trips to Greece and Germany, so we cooked a meal together and shared stories. It was a lot of fun! One of my friends, knowing I am obsessed with chocolate, brought me back a few bars to try.

For the next two weeks my teachers will be on strike. I have been going to the library on campus each day to chip away at my essays. It is going really well! I recently received a grade back for one that I submitted last month, and I got an A. I enjoy the slow pace at Kingston, and I am starting to dread returning to the US and spending hours on homework each day in the fall. The craziest part to me is that I feel like I am learning just as much, if not more, than I did back at home. I was already opposed to excessive homework, and seeing the way this education system functions enforces my belief. As a future teacher, I am happy to see that it is possible for teaching to be effective without a constant flow of busywork.

I have decided to spend the month of March soaking up as much of London as I can. This Saturday my program is taking me on a day trip to Stonehenge and Bath, which I am sure I will have a lot to write about. I bought a ticket to see a musical on the 3rd, and I am looking forward to planning more activities! There are still plenty of museums, parks, events, and experiences to have before I go. As I keep hearing everyone say: If you are bored of London, you are bored of life!

(Pictures: Statue in Stockholm, Reindeer overlooking the city)