My London Experience.

London Eye

It’s surreal to think that my semester abroad is already over. Study abroad is one of those things you spend months and months planning for. So much time and energy goes into it that by the time you’re finally ready to go, you feel like you need a break first!

I always knew I wanted to study abroad though, and I always knew that I wanted to go to London. I fell in love with this city long before I ever set foot here and being here has only proven me right. There is always something to do or someplace to visit. Even after spending three months here there is still so much I haven’t done!

Audi in Emirates Air Line Cable Car in London

This experience has truly been one of the best of my life. I know that I am so lucky to have had this opportunity and to do all the amazing things I’ve done and meet all the wonderful people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. I have truly made some lifelong friends in the other study abroad participants and I will never forget my FOCUS family. It’s the people you meet that can really make or break an experience and mine was definitely made. 

Interning at FOCUS was one of the most unique aspects of my study abroad experience, as many of my other classmates did not participate in internships. But I think it was one of the most valuable aspects and I would encourage anyone who was considering study abroad to also consider interning abroad. I was very fortunate to get to work with the FOCUS team, which is made up of genuinely caring, hard working, and all around lovely people. I know that when I come back to London I will definitely be stopping in for a visit.

Saint Paul's Cathedral

I feel that I’ve really grown a lot as a person from my time abroad. Going abroad, especially alone, is challenging for anyone. It takes you out of your comfort zone and really tests you sometimes. But getting out there and experiencing new things and new cultures has been extremely rewarding. I feel much more confident about myself and my abilities as a direct result of study abroad.

Audi visiting Stonehenge in Wiltshire.

It’s hard to sum up the experience in a short blog post, but I tried. If I had to pick one word to describe it, it would be “life-changing”. I’ve made memories that I will absolutely cherish forever. The last three months have literally been a dream come true and I can’t wait to travel to more new places in the future, but I know I’ll be back. So instead of ‘goodbye’, this is more of a ‘see you later.’

Written by Audi Craig, who is an American student living in Indiana. Audi worked as an intern at FOCUS this autumn.

Christmas Traditions

Go ahead; break from tradition this Christmas…a bit.

We all perceive the concept of tradition, as the notion of holding on to a previous time, but being an expat means your holiday traditions may just have to take on new forms.  

Christmas decorations in New York

I remember well my fist English Christmas. I looked forward to experiencing the very English traditions the British side of my family upheld. I eagerly embraced pantomime, mince pies, Christmas pudding and what I would characterise as rather understated decorations (keeping in mind I was used to New York City decorations where bigger is always better). I even voluntarily took part in my husband’s unique tradition of having ham for Christmas morning breakfast. It was an amazing Christmas, my first exposure to a very large family celebration filled with laughter, warmth and an overall jovial spirit. I was overwhelmed. 

Bouche Noel

As the years progressed I did have to admit that mince pies, Christmas pudding and childhood paper ornaments were not really my thing and the pantomime I just found annoying, And so there were years when the over the top, verging on gaudy, decorations filled most corners of our flat, bouche noel was served at the end of the Christmas meal and there was not a mince pie to be found.

Mince Pies

For a while a sense of relief came over me that I was still able to just about hold onto the Christmas traditions that I had grown up with and I believed, rather selfishly, that my husband would come around to my style. After all, isn’t Christmas tradition more of a girly thing? Then I began to take in what was around me during the holiday. Mince pies were served with great enthusiasm at each Christmas fair and party we went to, families spoke of their annual outing to the Pantomime with contagious excitement and the understated decorations even began to grow on me. 

Pantomime

I have realised that transporting my exact traditions to a foreign country didn’t really feel right and often led to frustration. Simple things like finding the correct brand of candy cane ended in defeat. I am certain not to be alone in admitting that this is not really the spirit of the holiday. I felt alone in my quest for Christmas. Equally I felt like a fake going all out British. 

Today we have settled on a blend of English and American traditions. More importantly we have exposed our children to a multitude of traditions, some of which they will embrace when they get older and some of which they are sure to dispose of! Yes, it is great to hold onto a previous time but do not miss the chance to take on some new traditions of your own.
Happy holidays! 

Written by Nancy Dickinson who is the Director of Events and Seminars at FOCUS.

....PUBS UP!!

Every expatriate in London must have felt the desire to immerse himself or herself deeply in this great city’s life and soul!   What better way than a drink in a pub to get a grasp of it? Sadly pubs are disappearing everywhere in the country…

The Grenadier in Wilton Row, Knightsbridge

Well, for those who are ready to dive in… a pint of beer, a glass of wine or… engage in a ghost chase, there is a public house called The Grenadier which will offer all of these thrilling experiences.

 

 

The Grenadier signboard

Tucked away from hectic Knightsbridge, hidden in a Belgravia cobble-stoned mews with an air of a country village, The Grenadier welcomes the visitor with its bright red and blue colours, its vermilion entry box and its signboard picturing… a proud grenadier!

 

Inside, the main room is small and cosy, with wood panelling and a low ceiling, and there is a big bar with the original pewter top.  A few sabres, a bugle and other military objects remind the visitor that The Grenadier was originally built for the First Royal Regiment of Foot Guards in 1720.  At that time, it was the Duke of Wellington’s Officers’ mess, and drinking and gambling were performed in its cellar.  In 1818, it became a licensed public house, “The Guardsman”, before being named “The Grenadier”.

Sausages and mash

Freshly cooked traditional pub food such as fish and chips, burgers, sausages and mash and of course the “Sunday Roast” are served in the main room or, for more privacy, in the rear dining area. A large selection of wines from around the world (Chili, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, Argentina, Australia, etc…), ciders, and ales can accompany a “traditional British” meal.

Inside The Grenadier

 An old and honourable institution indeed…  But what makes The Grenadier very special is its fantastic lodger from a by-gone age: the ghost of a young soldier who, one sinister night in September of a long-lost year, was caught cheating at cards and beaten to death by his fellow-players. Every September since, a tall, silent shadow has been seen, wandering endlessly in The Grenadier, filling the otherwise cheerful rooms with a strange chill or a soul-tormented sigh. Weird tales have been heard: a Chief Superintendent from New Scotland Yard was once burnt by an invisible cigarette as he was trying to reach what seemed to be the source of smoke he could see…Anxious footsteps have been heard on stormy nights… A face appeared behind a window…

Do not hesitate to go and enjoy a glass of wine while waiting for the spirit of the place. A crispy, chilly glass of Chablis – Domaine Thierry Mothe, another “old and venerable” institution - will undoubtedly hasten the strange encounter!

Written by FOCUS member Florence Tilkens.

For more information about FOCUS visit: www.focus-info.org