From London to Ada!

This summer was a summer for the books. I got to live a lifelong dream of mine by studying abroad. After careful research and help from the lovely people in the ONU Abroad Office, I settled on a monthlong course at Roehampton University in London, England. I study musical theatre at ONU, so the best summer course for me to take was a Shakespeare class that interested me greatly and fulfilled one of my gen ed credits. It was absolutely the right decision. That class allowed me to see two incredible shows at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. I learned so much about theatre in a city that is absolutely filled with it. I also made some great friends from Nevada that I can't wait to connect with again over fall break. They teased me over the summer because I took so many pictures they thought my storage must have been begging for a break. It was an amazing experience and I am so grateful to have had that opportunity.

However, as the summer went on, I started to miss my friends back at school very much. I have always loved big cities, but I didn't realize just how much I loved Ada too. Last year, I was a freshman at ONU and it changed my life. I felt like I finally found the place for me. I was constantly surrounded by people that made me smile every day. Even being someplace as amazing as London couldn't dull the ache in my chest as I wished for the school year to start again. Luckily, that day has finally come! This past week has been exactly what my heart needed. I'm back on the campus I love with the people I love and I couldn't be happier. My roommate, Sam, and I have set up our suite like a little oasis, which makes every night so relaxing and every morning a good one. My days have been jam-packed with group hangouts and outings filled to the brim with laughter. This summer went by so fast that I sometimes feel like we never left here at all, but then I think back to all the adventures I had while I was so far away, and I'm grateful to know that I had something important enough to miss. It has been quite the transition, but I love that I get to call this little town home!





Comments

  1. Shannon McKenzieAugust 31, 2024 at 10:39 AM

    Studying abroad sounds amazing!! I don't blame you one bit for taking so many pictures, that would be me too. I will always love taking pictures of new and beautiful places so I have something to look back on, and I'm sure you will cherish those pictures forever! You could make such a cute little scrapbook too. And please cherish it! Maybe study abroad again too, you'll graduate before you know it! I graduate this spring and I wish I would've taken any opportunity I could to study abroad before being done with school.

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  2. Ella FooseSeptember 1, 2024 at 2:23 PM

    I bet London was incredible!!! Seeing two Shakespeare shows a the globe is a dream and I can't even imagine how amazing that experience was. Plus, I also would take so many pictures if I studied abroad in London. You have to document a trip like that! It is also really nice to get back to Ada. I'd never thought I'd miss it as much as I did, and it's so good to be back.

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  3. Matthew CookSeptember 2, 2024 at 6:29 PM

    London must've been insane! Taking the Shakespeare course while being so close to the glove and seeing shows there had to have been a very immersive experience only a few get to partake in!! I would love to see more of the photos you took during your stay. I'm glad to be back as well, the summer was fun but nothing compares to being back on campus with friends!

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