Orientation and First Day of Class

Thursday was our official first day at Kingston University. We got up to early to catch the shuttle to campus, and it ended up that we had time to get coffee. Perfect! We were given our student IDs and travel cards so that we can get around London. The international studies office explained the program in more detail and also what was expected of us. The UK grading system is different than in the US. For instance, a 70% in a class would be equivalent to an A-. Oftentimes, classes consist of only one or two major assignments while in the US, we have multiple essays, exams, homework sets, etc.

After that portion of orientation was over, we were taken on a walking tour of Kingston and had lunch at the King's Tun Pub.

Then, they set us loose in London on a photo scavenger hunt! We were split up into groups of 9 or 10 with our flatmates and a neighboring flat. We took the train into London and were given a list of directions that helped familiarize us with using the bus and Underground systems. It was very tiring but a lot of fun!

This is me in front of Big Ben!

Friday was the first day of class. We met with our Monday, Wednesday, Friday "tutors" in the morning. I am taking British Art & Architecture which is being taught by Patrick Warren. He gave us an introduction to the period before what we are going to be studying, and I am really excited about that class because we are going to taking field trips around London to see some of the sites that are characteristic of London. After a provided lunch, I went to Shakespeare: Reading and Performance, being taught by Sir Gregg Eaves. We will be reading and seeing three plays from the Elizabethan/Jacobean eras. We have a lot to do in four weeks, but I'm looking forward to a change of pace and studying topics I would not have the chance to study at home.

Saturday was a day for my flatmates and I to go hang out in London again. We went up to the Regents Park area and made our way back down to Waterloo station, stopping along Regent Street and visiting Hamley's Toy Store, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Buckingham Palace, St. James Park and Parliament Square.

We had to get some of the touristy-stuff out of the way now so that we can focus on classes starting Monday. Tomorrow, we are off bright and early to the tournaments at Wimbledon! As for now, I need to go to sleep.

Cheers!