Sheffield, England: First Impressions

Hello internet. After a quick plane ride to Philly, a two hour layover, and seven hours onward to Manchester, I HAVE ARRIVED. And let me tell you, it’s been quite the adventure already. After stepping off the plane, assuring the men at customs that my intention in England was only to study, and stumbling to the baggage claim, I was greeted by a university student to bring me to a bus that would get me home. The bus ride from Manchester to England was maybe around an hour and a half (or possibly more; I was dozing the whole time due to sleep deprivation). As soon as our bus arrived at the school we were sent off into taxis to get to our accommodations. The taxi driver made the normal assumptions about California and the U.S. while I just sat back too tired to correct his stereotypes. From there it was a blur of meeting my host family, getting a converter so I could charge my phone, and excusing myself to sleep until the next day.

Now to the good stuff.

As I discovered quickly, Sheffield is wonderful. There is a cafe around every corner, a shop for every need, and beautiful buildings galore. I would say the city is a very good mix of old and new architecture. This mix provides a very unique and homey feeling. The City Centre is quite the hub and Sheffield Hallam University is smack dab in the middle of it. Most everyone walks or takes the bus so it was nice to feel so immersed during my first few days here.

What I also soon discovered about Sheffield is the friendliness of it’s citizens. If I needed help or directions, all I had to do was ask. Every staff at every store I have entered have been welcoming, helpful, and quick to call me “love”. I also began to see a lot more diversity than I have seen lately in Georgia as I explored. I found that the UK has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to discrimination and wrongful treatment of others no matter how they define themselves; and I find that so wonderful.

What I was not prepared for was just how heavy English accents could be. Yes people I talk to are technically speaking English, but are they really? The slang was almost incomprehensible. That along with the various shops, foods, and games that I had never heard of. One waiter was particularly SHOCKED that I had never tasted was is referred to as “brown sauce”. He was unable to actually tell me what this sauce was made of when I asked, but he was shocked nontheless. I have used U.S. slang that is considered sexual in Britain, been offended by a Brit’s comment when he was actually complimenting me, and have had to ask “what did you say?” too man times to count in order to catch the slurred, rapid speech of the locals.

What I was most surprised about now that I have been here a week is that England really is foreign. In my mind, since this is an English speaking country, I thought studying abroad would be a cake walk. I wasn’t going to Spain, or Italy; having to push out in society without knowing the language. But it is much harder than I anticipated. Customs, language, and the way of living are different. Just because we share the basics of a language does not mean we are very similar. And even after meeting many more exchange students from around the world, I feel even more behind. They are fluent in AT LEAST two languages, can easily understand Celsius and military time, and are used to which side of the road the English drive on (the opposite in case you were wondering; and it is the vehicles that have the right-of-way).

Today is Friday and my first official weekend I will spend out in the city. Can’t wait.

x

Lindsey