Friday, 30 September 2011

Moving from Lancaster to Lancaster!!!

I LEAVE FOR ENGLAND THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW!!! AHHHHHHHH!
I am going to study abroad at Lancaster University in Lancaster, England for almost 3 months. I am living in a standard room in Grizedale college, sharing a flat with 4 or 5 other people.  I will be living with people from all over the world and I can’t wait to meet them (don’t know who yet). I am hoping to update this blog every couple of days with a couple pictures that I’ve taken.  It could be and will be anything that catches my attention, from my first pint in a pub to the buildings and architecture.  I remember when I first found out I was accepted. I was at my sorority house having a homework party with some of my sisters that night.  I got the email and screamed, jumping around in circle into the kitchen.  I’m pretty sure I woke up half of Geneseo.  The program is through SUNY Binghamton. 
Lancaster is about an hour north of Manchester (2 1/2 hours northwest of London) and roughly a half hour from the coast.  Lancaster University is one of the top ten universities in the UK with over 12,000 students.  This is roughly 2 1/2 times the size of Geneseo, but it looks like it’s still a very approachable and friendly campus.  Grizedale college is one of 9 colleges on campus.  It’s mascot is the boar and it’s named after Grizedale Forest in the Lake District.  
Lancaster usually hosts over 2,000 foreign exchange students! I have already talked to people from Australia, Hong Kong, France, Germany, and so many other amazing places.  I also have been chosen to be the treasurer for the Study Abroad Society.  The e board will plan different trips, socials, and other fun stuff for international students to partake in.  I am going to try REALLY REALLY hard to put together a trip to see a Manchester Utd. football game (yes, football…if you know me at all you know I hate American football).  Too bad they don’t have ice hockey over in England :’(.  My new Gaustad jersey will be making the trip with me and I’m planning on adding pictures to the Sabres Fan Scrapbook! 
I am hoping to visit other countries as well.  My friend Vanessa is currently studying in Madrid for the whole year so I plan on visiting her.  I am also hoping to go to France, Ireland, and Italy.  But I’ll be happy traveling anywhere really :D.
Well I think that’s it for now! I’ll probably update sometime during fresher’s week (it’s like orientation week).  First night I am there: graffiti toga party!!! Oh boy :-) 
I feel like throwing in a random quote (10 points if you know the movie)
“We drank! We fought! He made his ancestors proud!”
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