The Lion's Roar

The Art of Adaptability

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 08:40:00 +0000

By: Ellie Tolbert

When thinking about my Harlaxton experience so far, one word specifically pops into my head. That word is adaptability. Now, I could be cliché and tell you the definition of adaptability from the Oxford English Dictionary, or I can tell you what it means to me. I am going to do the latter.
Adaptability means adjusting your views and ways of being to new environments, situations, and people. When you travel throughout Europe every weekend like many of us do here at Harlaxton, that can be very useful. Here are some of the ways I’ve learned to adapt to the places I’ve been.

As I mentioned earlier, adapting to new environments is an important thing to learn. Everyone one of us have had to do this a few times. Just coming to England alone was an adjustment we had to make. One small example of this is having to bring reusable shopping bags to the store or paying for plastic bags. While this may have been a nuisance at first, we now instinctively grab our Morrison bags before hopping on the 1:10 shuttle. Another is the subway system in London. I can’t speak for others, but I was terrified to use the Tube at first. With so many people and so many stops, I was sure I would lose my friends and wind up alone in London. Now, I can’t imagine trying to travel around London without it. My ability to “mind the gap” has dramatically increased in the past 3 months.

Adapting to new environments can be especially tricky when that country speaks a different language. So far, I have been to Budapest and Barcelona, and communicating with locals isn’t the easiest task. But as I’ve learned, you make it work. Although our taxi driver did not speak English and I don’t speak Spanish, we showed him the location we needed to get to on our phone and he was able to understand. When in a desperate situation, you can always find a way.

Acknowledging and understanding that need to adapt, I now feel better prepared for many situations. One BIG example of this for me was packing. As someone who loves clothes, I tend to pack approximately 20 times as many clothes as I need. During this study abroad experience, I learned real quick that you can’t fit a lot of clothes in a small, Ryanair-acceptable sized backpack. I now have the ability to make everything I bring on weekend travel count; if I won’t wear or use it, I won’t bring it.

Another situation I feel less worried about is pick pocketing. Maybe its just me, but I’ve never had to worry about pick pocketing before. Now, I am aware of my belongings when I travel. At home, I feel less aware of my surroundings because I am in familiar areas. Here, however, I need to keep a certain level of vigilance. Thankfully, I’ve only learned this from witnessing others getting pick pocketed, not from myself, but it is important all the same.

The final thing I’ve had to learn to adapt to is people. This includes both the locals in other countries and the people at Harlaxton. When 130 students are thrown in a manor together and see each other every day, you quickly have to adapt to different types of people. You live with this group for 4 months, so you don’t want to burn any bridges. Learning to live with people who are different than me has been a vital skill throughout this experience. It has allowed me to not let others ruin my fun, as well as my temper ruining that for others. Sometimes you may travel with someone you think you are going to love, and it turns out you just aren’t that compatible. Sometimes you may travel with someone you were worried you’d hate, but you end up having a great time. THAT’S OKAY!

Travelling is such a unique experience, and you aren’t going to want to do it the same as everyone. Adapting your views to others and, hopefully, others adapting theirs to yours is the best way to not let strong opinions ruin a weekend in Ireland, or Greece, or wherever you may be going.
And although I am writing this like I am some adaptability genius, I still struggle with a lot of cultural difference every day. Some are small things like tipping (which I still haven’t figured out when or when not to do it), avoiding eye contact (because not all countries are as upfront and friendly as Americans), crossing the street (because when the cars drive on the other side of the road, it is easy to accidentally step into traffic), and even doing the peace sign (because apparently the peace sign in

Europe is equivalent to the middle finger). That last one I have a lot of trouble with.
Overall, it is important to learn how to adapt to your surroundings. That skill will take you far in life, in school, jobs, with family, etc. Being at Harlaxton and travelling throughout Europe has allowed me to see my own abilities and has made me a more confident person. It has made me recognise my own habits and beliefs while still respecting the lives of those very different from my own.

Serendipity

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 13:27:00 +0000

By: Mara Lowhorn

No matter how much you plan, something will go wrong. That’s if you’re lucky. Usually, many things go wrong.

From getting lost, to being pickpocketed, to delayed flights and missing more trains than I ever thought possible, I have not had a single weekend of travel where everything ran smoothly. It’s been stressful for sure—not to mention exhausting and expensive—to solve all the problems that have been thrown my way. At times, it’s discouraging. It has made planning my travels feel like a daunting and useless task.

But as I sit here writing this, recovering from yet another weekend where nothing went according to plan, I’m reflecting on the moments of good fortune I’ve had this semester that have stemmed from these mishaps.

My friends and I got lost trying to find Abbey Road in London. We ended up spending hours on the Tube trying to find our destination, and we almost gave up out of frustration. However, we finally made it after a kind Underground worker pointed us in the right direction. When we made it to Abbey Road, we met a fellow American man there who was traveling the world and making a documentary promoting world peace. If things had gone right and we hadn’t gotten lost, we never would have experienced the kindness of that Tube worker or met that friendly American man.

My phone got stolen in Barcelona. After recovering from the initial shock of it, I texted my parents from my friend’s phone to tell them what happened, and I decided I would deal with the rest later. I lost all my photos from the trip, and of course, the incident kept me and my friends on edge during the rest of our stay in Spain, but it could have been much worse. I chose to simply be grateful that it wasn’t my wallet or passport and move on. As bad of a situation as it was, I got to experience the rest of that trip without a phone in front of my face and without the pressure to capture every single moment on camera just for the sake of my Instagram feed. I got to experience Barcelona as it truly was—a city with pickpockets, gorgeous architecture, and beautiful beaches.

My sister and I were kicked off our overnight train from Prague to Krakow. After the Czech train conductor got mad at us for having the wrong papers, we were not allowed to board our train. As we slunk back to the train station in the pouring rain and bitter wind, it sunk in just how terrible our fortune was. Not only was it an overnight train, meaning that our inability to board meant that we didn’t have a place to sleep that night, but our flights back to London were from Poland. If we wanted to get back to London without wasting hundreds more dollars, we had to get to Krakow somehow. Reality setting in, we sucked it up, went to the ticket office, and bought train tickets for first thing the next morning. After just a few hours’ sleep in a hotel my sister had miraculously booked on her phone, we boarded a train at six in the morning and eventually got to our hotel in Krakow by four in the afternoon. We were too late to visit Auschwitz as we had originally planned, and we were too exhausted to do anything else. It was a stressful, frightening, and discouraging trip to say the least. It’s still a little difficult for me to find the silver lining from this trip after so many things had gone wrong, but I know my sister and I learned the skill of adaptability through it all. We learned that even if it feels like the end of the world, we could handle what was thrown at us.

The same goes for all of my misadventure-filled trips. Even if things don’t go as planned, they work out as they’re supposed to, whether that means meeting cool new people, gaining a new perspective, or simply lying on your hotel bed being thankful that things hadn’t gone worse.

No matter how poorly each weekend goes, I have always ended up back at Harlaxton Manor safe and with an interesting story to tell. Things might go wrong, but they always end up being okay.

Why Should You Study Abroad?

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 13:35:00 +0000

By: Nicole Carr

When I sat down to write this blog post, I had to decide how I wanted to format it. Did I want to do a post about my decision-making process, did I want to make it funny, or did I want to go into a long essay? Really, there were a million thoughts about how to approach this. Then, I sat back and thought, what kind of post would I most like to read? Well, the answer to that is one that is short and to the point, but also informative. So, with that in mind, that is exactly what I am going to try and do! There are literally a MILLION reasons that you should study abroad, but to keep it short and sweet, I am simply going to list the top 4 of them for you…

1. You get to travel the world!!!!! I mean, seriously, what else do you need? When you choose to do a study abroad program, you are giving yourself the opportunity to go to countries that you normally might not have ever gotten to go to. Taking weekends to go to other countries and experience all new cultures. You are giving yourself an opportunity to learn so much about other places and to just grow and experience.

2. You get to meet a TON of new and cool people. One of the best parts of a Study Abroad program is all the new friends that you will get to make.

3. It looks AMAZING on a resume. Studying abroad while in college allows you to put on your resumne that you are adaptable, have experienced cultures, and know how to interact with all different kinds of people! It can give you an edge over people when you are trying to get a job.

4. And last but not least, it is a life-changing experience. Study Abroad programs force you out of your comfort zone and make you get out there and do things that you normally might not do. They allow you to grow as a person and to learn more about yourself and everyone else around you. It is a time for personal growth and learning.

Participating in Study Abroad is a chance to expand your knowledge of other cultures and to learn more about yourself at the same time. If you ask me, I think that everyone should be able to participate in this program.

And not that I’m biased or anything, but I think if you’re going to do one, it needs to be Harlaxton, but I’m just saying…

Well, to keep this short and sweet as I promised, I’m going to wrap this post up by saying one last thing: GO ON A STUDY ABROAD!!! I can personally promise you that you will never regret it!

Anxiety Abroad

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 09:26:00 +0000

By Drew Chittick

Even when it goes right, travelling can be stressful.

So many moving pieces and interlocking plans that, even if you’ve gone through and organised it well in advance, it can be difficult to keep track of.

But it tends to go wrong at least once a trip. Of course, they’re measures you can take, giving yourself plenty of time between legs of the journey, having back-up plans, not going alone, and carrying more cash than you think you need are all helpful. But some problems are out of your control. Flight or train delays are the most common. But losing touch with your group (if you have one) or getting lost (especially if you don’t speak the language) can be incredibly stressful, especially if you haven’t planned. So how to handle them?

Generally, a good first step is to panic. Not for long, but it’s good to be angry and let some of the stress off. Better to spend a few minutes stomping around than be trying to solve your problems angry.

Next, priorities. I find it helpful to break the stress into actionable chunks, rather than just the general overwhelming feeling. And crucially, the fewer chunks, the better. For example, if you’re worried that you’ll miss a flight or train, a taxi is usually better than a bus. It’s more expensive, but it’s also easier, and you’re less likely to make a mistake in the rush.

And while it depends somewhat on the problem, finding help, especially for directions, can be crucial. I get lost constantly, and when I don’t have access to wifi or if my map is kind of confusing, asking for help from random store clerks is about the only reason I make it to my hostel at night or to the concert I bought tickets for. If you don’t speak the language, it can be a pain, but I’ve gotten far on patience and Google translate alone.

There’s a lot to be anxious over when you’re abroad, even completely aside from things that cause anxiety back at the manor. Preparation is far better than improvisation, but you can make it through a lot of disasters by focusing on what you can do, and how simply you can do it.

Chester

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 11:13:00 +0000

By: Paul Bone

We were on our way to ruins,

more sunken stones,

with an hour or less before

the bus would take us

into Wales, where sometimes

we would not know the words,

or search the harder for them,

such as hastening to relics.

So down the narrow sidewalk

we strode long-legged.

Too busy in the head naming

this feeling, I did not see

the man until he’d passed,

his falling no more a sound

a coat upon a stick

might make, a hand-sized mailer

flung out in front and what

he gathered to him before

he tried to rise. Stay here,

on your knees, I said.

Let’s see if you’re all right

(with dignity, if you can,

I wanted to add, just one more

feeling impossible to tell).

The blood from his hooked nose

poured in a bright runnel,

such garish display given

his grey overcoat,

almost suedish skin, the downy note

of his “Oh dear.” The nurse

who happened on us

brushed his white hair back.

We let our tissues darken

and drop like sickly fruits

as the bleeding slowed,

then led him to the bench

where, in that busy square,

a Welsh busker sang Dylan

and this man, Alan, waited

among strangers, more strangers

coming with the ambulance

which, rushing properly,

arrived and parted the crowd

with whoops and lime-green authority.

We let him go, our charge,

and he allowed himself

again to be ushered,

black uniform to each arm.

How could it be, I thought,

the envelope just fitting

his coat pocket, manila stripe

just showing, the splatter concealed?

Surely he held the word

for that day, whether to read

or pass it on elsewhere

none of us could really say

----------------------------------------------------------

Paul Bone

Harlaxton Visiting Faculty Spring 2019

Associate Professor University of Evansville

pb28@evansville.edu

Must Have Travel Apps

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 14:25:00 +0000

By: Lauren Ward

Although technology can have its drawbacks it has made traveling a smoother experience in many aspects. From electronic boarding passes to live weather updates from around the world no one can deny technology has its benefits for trotting around the globe. I have compiled a list of a few applications (aside from your run of the mill flight and weather apps) to help any Harlaxton student or traveler make their time away from home faster, cheaper, and easier.

Skyscanner:
This is a mobile application as well as an online website that searches for the cheapest tickets for your desired destination. You enter in the dates that you want to fly out and return. You also input what airport you wish to use. Luckily for us Harlaxton students you can tell it to search every airport in the London area! It also conveniently gives the option for multi city travel. An example of this would be flying from London into Rome but flying back to London from Florence. It takes in all your desired specifications and generates a list of flights for you to choose from. Often it will tell you to book from two different airlines to save even more money for your travels. However, my personal favorite setting on this app is the ‘Everywhere option’ which means it will tell you the cheapest place to fly to on the days you want to go. This can be helpful when you’re stumped on where to travel to next or if you’re torn between a few locations!

Google Translate:
This application can be a extremely useful tool to use when traveling to foreign countries. They have a mobile application that can be downloaded onto your phone that has many useful functions. For example you can save a language to use offline so when you are suck in a city with no wifi or data you can still communicate with the locals. By far the most impressive feature is the camera function. You can open up your camera, align any text in a foreign language, and it automatically translates it on the spot. This can save lots of time when looking at menus, train time tables, or signs around a city.

Currency exchange app:
When studying abroad and booking trips with different people, to different countries, with different currencies every weekend it can get pretty stressful. Money definitely gets moved around quite a bit. And with fluctuating currency exchange rates you want to make sure that you are always paying and getting paid the correct amount. I would highly recommend downloading a currency exchange app, although google can work perfectly well too. It can be really convenient to be able to open the app and search for your destination quickly.

HappyCow:
If you are vegan or vegetarian this app will make traveling so much easier for you! You put in your location and it lists nearby restaurant options with reviews by fellow vegans or vegetarians. You can then filter your search for strictly vegan restaurants, bakeries, farmers markets, or grocery stores. No longer will you be worrying about doing extra research or settling for a restaurant that doesn’t work for you.

Hostel World:
This website is great for finding the perfect hostel. This website compiles reviews from past guests and ranks hostels based overall value. You can select your location, a price range, and what amenities you want. It then generates a list and you can pick the hostel that best fits what you are looking for. This is definitely a helpful and reliable website when you are traveling and trying to save some money.

Tube Map:
If you are attending Harlaxton College chances are that you will be spending quite a bit of time in London. And the fastest, cheapest, and (sometimes) easiest way to get around is by taking the infamous London Underground. If you download the Tube Map app you can GPS yourself from you current location to wherever in the city you want to go. Tube Map then will give you the cheapest and most efficient way to get there with step-by-step instructions of what lines to get on. This can save you valuable time on a short weekend when you want to see a lot of different places around the city. (Apple/Android)

I hope these apps will help in all of your future travels while at Harlaxton or wherever else you may travel to!

Having a Home at Harlaxton

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 17:23:00 +0000

By: Krysta Wininger

You’ve just finished your first long weekend at Harlaxton. You’ve probably gotten back from a special place that you saved specifically for the long weekend – that extra day does, after all, make a large difference. But still, it seems as though you’ve returned all too soon, and the place you visited that was so near and dear to your heart feels left in the dust. It certainly doesn’t help that you’ve had to come back to where the weather is almost certainly colder and wetter.

But nonetheless, here you are, roaming the halls of Harlaxton once more, and you may be feeling as though Harlaxton is just an in-between place that you stay at while you visit all the places you’ve dreamt about since you were little.

Or maybe you’re on the other end of things. Maybe you don’t have extravagant travel plans or don’t have certain places tugging on the strings of your heart beckoning you.

Whatever the case is, we all might be getting to a point in the semester where the walls of Harlaxton feel like a belt you might be starting to outgrow… just a little too tight.

Until the end of the semester, Harlaxton is your home - even if that home feels a little too small at times - and it’s important that we all take the time to appreciate exactly what that means. Living at Harlaxton means scheduled meals, scheduled activities, scheduled times to leave, and scheduled times to return, but having a home at Harlaxton… well, that’s all about what you choose to do with time that isn’t booked.

Sometimes a new home isn’t about the things you take with you; it’s about the things you leave behind that make the place a part of you. Take a walk on the grounds of the manor and watch how your shoes leave molds on the hills – can you feel yourself leaving your mark? Walk up the stairs that thousands of students before you have also walked up, and revel in the fact that while their time has passed, your time is still right here, right now. This manor belongs to you.

When you leave here, a piece of you is inevitably going to stay here with Harlaxton – make sure it’s a piece of you that you want Harlaxton to keep. Hold on to this time here at the manor for as long as you can because before you know it, your time will be up like all those before you, and you’ll be asking yourself, “Did I do everything that I could to have the best experience I could? Did I make an impact? Did Harlaxton impact me? Did I use my time to make it all that it could be?”

Ask yourself those questions now with everything that you do at Harlaxton. Don’t reflect on how you made this your home after you’ve left – reflect on it every single day that you’re here. The semester may be a third of the way done, but you’ve still got over half of your time here. Make sure you’re making it a home you’ll keep with you forever. You’ll keep Harlaxton with you forever – make sure it keeps a piece of you, too.

Writing About Your Travel

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 10:09:00 +0000

By: Drew Chittick

Travel writing probably doesn’t strike everyone as relevant to their semester abroad.

Some people don’t keep blogs, and the ones that do probably feel like they have a good handle on it, and they may.

But you’ll write about your trips more often than you think. Some of you might keep a journal, most will probably post pictures on Instagram or Facebook, and almost everyone will have a family or friend from home text them and ask how and where they’ve been. So, think of this less as advice on maintaining a long-form travel blog, or how to attract readers, than just as advice on how to show people what you’ve been doing abroad, and give them answers that might actually satisfy their curiosity.

The most fundamental habit you can have is just a slight shift in thinking: write about how you felt, not what you saw. Not just something vague like how you were “blown away” or “just can’t believe it,” really think about how what you saw affected you. If somebody is asking what’s been going on in your life, then they care just as much about you as the goings-on.

With that comes a little shift in how you travel: think about how you’re feeling. Even if you never write a word about your trip, just stopping to notice how this has all impacted you will make your trips feel so much more fulfilling. Your memories of what this village looked like or how that baguette tasted will never last as long as the joy of something adorable but ancient, or the satisfaction of a peek into someone else’s craft.

This last one has a little less to do with you and a little more to do with the person reading what you wrote, but it’s no less helpful: consider how the trip changed you. How were you different from when you left the manor on Thursday to when you got back on Sunday (or Monday)? The change doesn’t have to be drastic, but it shows the person reading what they really want to know: why does this matter to you? Maybe you were just having a down week and Paris cheered you up, or you were pumped on the shuttle to Grantham, but just barely staggered into your room Sunday night. Because if you didn’t allow the trip to make any impression on you, what was the point in going?

I hope this is helpful. Not even just for writing, but just for your travels in general as the semester chugs along. We’re almost a third of the way through. That may sound depressing, but remember: whatever you’ve done so far, you’ve still got time to double it. So, go out, and feel as much as you can as you travel the world.

Home

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 09:25:00 +0000

By: Dallas Carter

“Aren’t you excited to go home?”

“One more day until we head home!”

“I can wait to go home.”

Home. The word has been ringing in my ears for the entire semester, but like a buzzing fly that won’t go away it seems to have gotten louder and more annoying in recent days. I’ve swatted at it, lunged for it and attempted to smash it under my foot. I’ve scooped its struggling body off the floor with a tissue and carried it towards the trash can like a pallbearer at a stranger’s funeral.

People attach the word home to towns and familiar foods and happy memories, but to me home has always been wherever I am at a certain moment. Home was my hand-painted bedroom in the basement of my parent’s house and then my crowded dorm room on the third floor of Moore Residence Hall. Home was my white Chevrolet Trailblazer full of field hockey gear and old CDs. Home was a quiet motel right off of the sandy beaches in Englewood, Florida.

At the beginning of the semester, I was asked how I felt about leaving home and I honestly didn’t want to leave. I wanted to stay in my mom’s house with my little brother and my cats and my record player and my two pillows. Now I am told I have to go back home, but home has moved. Home is Harlaxton Manor, Refectory food, complaining about the rain, overflowing shuttles, pizza calls in the telephone booth, and so much more.

Home is my friends’ faces when we meet in the customs line, fresh off the plane. Home is the maze of ruin pubs in Budapest and somewhat sketchy hostels on the outskirts of Paris. Home is taking a train across the UK, trying Gelato in five different countries and making a British family your own.

While I have found a home in all of these places and little moments, the most important home I found was inside myself. Throughout my time at Harlaxton, I didn’t feel any huge changes, but upon reflection, I’ve noticed the many ways I’ve grown and developed. I have more confidence in myself and in my abilities to lead and to survive in the world. I no longer wallow in bad moments or feelings, but instead pick myself up and move on.

I feel better about who I am as a person and I feel as if I’m finally gaining some direction in my life. I am now at home in my own skin. I’ve embraced my tears as well as my smiles, my bad hair days with my good, and my sweatpants with my formal skirts.

I am at home in myself for the first time in my life. While being abroad for the semester cemented this feeling together, it was the pieces from all my previous homes that made up the person I am now and the home I have created for myself.

I’ve changed directions and now carry the word “home” to the window. It writhes momentarily, but manages to flutter off the tissue and towards the manicured hedges of Harlaxton’s back garden. Tomorrow I will leave the manor for the last time. As its looming grandeur fades into the distant English countryside, I will think of home, how I will continue to build it up inside myself everywhere I go, and how Harlaxton helped make me, me.

Just Do It

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 10:49:00 +0000

By: Dallas Carter

Just. Do. It. Three simple words which on their own don’t mean much, but together can be inspirational or meme-worthy. From Nike’s famous logo to Shia LaBeouf's hilarious and viral inspirational speaking video, the phrase “just do it,” is quite well-known. But what does it mean exactly?

In Harlaxton I find myself using the phrase often. Sometimes out loud to my friends when I say “Let’s just do it,” in regards to booking a trip or exploring something interesting in a new city. Other times I repeat it to myself. When I’m feeling anxious or stressful about a situation or maybe lazy about doing homework. “Just do it” can act as a strong motivator.

I often get stuck in my head–especially at Harlaxton–because I’ve had to partake in more thinking and planning logistics than ever before. It can quickly become overwhelming and hard to pull the trigger on plans, bookings, or even studying instead of going down to The Bistro (most often vice versa).

What I’ve discovered is you have to take a deep breath and just do it! I’ve said “yes” to attending a spontaneous concert in Nottingham on a Tuesday evening, entering a slightly off-putting alleyway in Budapest for shopping and even ending up covered in snow from head to toe while attempting to sled down the gardens with my winter jacket. None of these events are record-breaking or necessarily “wild,” but they are small experiences that are defining my time here at Harlaxton. Had I not just done it, just said yes and opened myself up to something new, I would not have had the same experiences abroad and I would not end up learning the lessons about myself and the world.

So while you should be cautious and follow your budget, you should also just do it! Step out of your comfort zone! Don’t be afraid of straying off the beaten path! Say yes to an unplanned event and in doing so you will make unforgettable memories that lead to a completely unique Harlaxton experience.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Beast From the East

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 18:20:00 +0000

By: Bryson Keltner, current Harlaxton College Media Intern

“People who have not been in Narnia sometimes think that a thing cannot be good and terrible at the same time.” -The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

Last week, a rare snowstorm from Russia jetted southwest. “The Beast from the East,” as it was called, left countries in Western Europe in an unfamiliar state: frozen.

The canals in Amsterdam became mazes for ice skaters. Rome was a different planet—its ancient ruins creeping out from a white slush. London stood still, yet somehow, it was also chaos.
And then there was the much smaller scale—a manor house full of Americans that stood just outside a town in Lincolnshire.

For locals who know nothing of snow, The Beast was a foreigner who crept up on them and did its worst. Driving cars—for them—was like driving for the first time.

For the students at Harlaxton, The Beast was a parent telling them they couldn’t go out. I watched as every mode of transportation slowly lost its breath, taking the students’ weekend travel plans down with them. Some students managed to get out before every plane, train, and car to London halted, but for most Harlaxton students, the money, time, and energy they put into their trips disintegrated. They were “stuck” in our castle for the weekend.

But for me, The Beast brought me to a place where beauty is an injustice. I was on duty for the weekend, so I didn’t plan on leaving the manor even before the snow. I let myself feel the magic around me. The manor became some sort of a movie set or a poem’s title. The place I get to call home for a while somehow became even more breathtaking. I was in Narnia.

You’ve seen The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. You recall the world that stood frozen in the most aesthetically-pleasing way imaginable. That was Harlaxton Manor for an entire week. Every day, the snow would start to melt, but every night, new powder would fall, leaving my home pristine every morning.

I stood speechless marveling at the building’s presence draped in white. It was art.

But I had a job to do in Narnia. After all, I was on duty. I was in charge if things went wrong, and for most Harlaxton students, their weekends started off very wrong. So I sprang into action.

I went to my computer and made a quick graphic—an itinerary. In it, I planned a weekend full of fun—the kind of fun you’d have if you were a kid at home from school on a snow day. I planned movie-viewing parties. Board game events. A hide-and-seek tournament. Coloring page meet-ups. And a necessary old-fashioned snowball fight.

I built it, and they came. They loved it, and I loved it. I watched as they became children again, and as they played their games and watched their movies, they began to appreciate the chilly beauty outside too. For a weekend, we were not world-traveling adults with responsibilities and cancelled plans. We were kids playing in the snow. We just happened to be in a castle.

Everything was perfect… well except one girl tried to test the frozen pond on the manor grounds and fell through. And one guy spilled hot cocoa all over someone’s homework. And a student slipped and fell on me during the snowball fight and sprained my ankle which caused me to hobble around for the whole weekend.

But alas, it was perfect.

What started out as the worst weekend at Harlaxton became one of the best. And as the snow melted and the next week began, we watched our wonderland fade, but we were thankful for wiggling through the wardrobe to Narnia.

What I Wish I Knew Before Coming to Harlaxton

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 15:27:00 +0000

By: Dallas Carter

Studying abroad at Harlaxton can be an intimidating experience for everyone involved. Parents are worried about their student’s safety and students are worried about navigating a foreign country on their own. Luckily, universities back home provide helpful study abroad resources. The University of Evansville even makes Harlaxton students take mandatory bi-weekly information sessions the semester before they attend. Even with these resources, not all your questions will get answered. Many students face unexpected realities or challenges when arriving and traveling abroad. To help, here are the top 10 things I wish I had known before coming to Harlaxton.

1. British studies is not a typical college class

British Studies is worth six credits and is broken up into two parts: a lecture and a small-group seminar. The lectures are not what you’re used to (they’re traditional British lectures). Professors don’t ask questions or expect student interaction or even wait to make sure everyone has written down what’s on each slide. Instead, the speaking Professor will spend the hour giving a well-prepared lecture, with a small amount of accompanying slides, no pauses, no breaks, or extra time for you to catch up.

While this sounds intimidating, it can be easy to manage as long as you apply yourself, pay attention, and focus on writing notes on the key points. The best way to do well in British studies is to keep up with your readings so you can understand and participate in the discussions during the seminar portion. Also, pay attention to the handbook—consider it to be a British studies version of the Bible.

2. Flights aren’t free

The study abroad class at UE emphasizes the easiness of traveling once you arrive in England. Trains are quick and cheap and flights are easy to book. The UE rumor mill even produces stories about 5 pound flights to countries in continental Europe. However, prices have typically been higher than any of us expected.

I took a walk around the Manor one Sunday after we had first arrived and came across several students on the phone with their parents. The topic of conversation: flights were expensive. Granted they are much cheaper than flying inside the United States, and fairly-good prices can be found by checking multiple sites, departure times, and airlines. I suggest using an incognito tab when booking trips so that you will see the best prices each time you search.

3. Balancing travel and coursework is a delicate situation

While travel is a well-discussed topic before leaving for Harlaxton, classes and homework are often forgotten. When I arrived at the manor and we had our first British Studies lecture, I had almost forgotten I was here to study. It is easy to get swept up in the magic and excitement that comes with this experience. However, British studies alone assigns readings, presentations, and a term paper throughout the semester. Add on at least two other classes with homework and sometimes even field trips and you can get overwhelmed. Luckily, it isn’t hard to find a balance between weekend travel and homework.

I recommend blocking out set times during the week to study or do class work. Also taking a weekend off from travel to catch up on work isn’t a bad idea. Not only will you get homework done, but you’ll also have time to organize plans for other trips, save some money, and, of course, catch-up on Netflix. If you are worried about tipping the scale too far towards your studies, take a break on a weekend with a scheduled local culture trip. You will still have a day to travel without the stress of planning a trip and you can even do your homework on the bus.

4. Take a combination of school-sponsored and independent trips

Another trapeze balancing act at Harlaxton is independent travel and school-sponsored trips. Some people have had their favorite trips organized by the school, while others never took the sponsored-travel option. While a lot of it is personal preference, both options have strengths and weaknesses.

School trips relieve students of the hassle of planning and booking their own travel and accommodation, but independent travel allows for more freedom and a wider variety of destinations. If you are extremely anxious about organizing your own trips, then take advantage of the sponsored travel. However, if you are unsure or indifferent, book two or three school trips and leave the rest of your schedule open. This gives you the opportunity for planning trips to unexpected countries and with new people you meet at the Manor. For the school trips, I recommend the London trip at the beginning of the semester, which gives you time to explore and settle in to life abroad, and the Italy trip at the end because it is nine days long and the travel between three Italian cities is taken care of for you.

5. England is cold, but not just outside

Winter in America is cold, but nothing feels better than coming indoors, taking off your ten layers and being warm. At Harlaxton however, you will always want layers. Although the information session mentions the importance of layers and warm clothes, they were always referencing trips and outdoor excursions. I was unprepared for the cold temperature of the manor, in common rooms, classrooms, and the refractory alike. Luckily, most of the dorm rooms aren’t freezing, but still pack for warmth and comfort over fashion to survive in the Manor.

I suggest bringing thicker socks than you would normally wear and warm lounge shoes like slippers with non-slip soles or Ugg boots. Sweaters or long-sleeve shirts are another essential that will keep you warm, but can also be dressed up for classes or travel. An item that I wish I had packed to keep warm would be a soft travel blanket. It’s easy to buy one in town, but if you can pack it ahead of time and you can use it on trips, in airports, the common rooms, and at night.

6. Be spontaneous

With all the planning, scheduling and booking ahead that takes place at Harlaxton, you can begin to feel like you are running from one thing to the next. It is important to leave open places in your schedule for simply hanging out or something unexpected. Opening yourself up to unplanned activities can lead to some of your best memories at Harlaxton.

One of the most important things I’ve learned since being abroad is that you should be spontaneous every once in a while. Yes, the study abroad pamphlet in your university's office says to be prepared, but taking part in unexpected events gives you a nice break from the clockwork of the rest of the semester.

I had planned a free weekend to catch up on homework and sleep, but I was invited to Nottingham for a day trip and I got to visit underground caves and a cat cafe I wouldn’t have seen before. When I was in Edinburgh we had nothing to do one night and were going to stay at our hostel for a few hours, but instead bought tickets to see a Queen Tribute band at Edinburgh Playhouse. It is one of my favorite things I’ve done so far!

If you want to start being spontaneous on a smaller scale, I encourage you to go to the Bistro on a Wednesday, even if you have class the next morning and had planned on going to bed early. Or even take part in a surprise house competition or play in a Harlaxton Lion’s basketball game on a night they request extra players. Don’t be afraid to say yes to things, as they could lead to some of your favorite experiences at Harlaxton.

7. Harlaxton isn’t always picture perfect

Smiling faces and candid laughter with Harlaxton Manor as a backdrop. This image greeted me on the front of the orientation folder for my Harlaxton session and it painted a picture of perfection. Pair that with countless happy Facebook posts from my peers who traveled before me and you get a dangerous concoction of unrealistic expectations. Don’t get me wrong, Harlaxton is a whirlwind of excitement and enjoyment, but you aren’t in a protective bubble.

Whether it’s homesickness, a bad grade, or issues while traveling, you are still going to face everyday struggles and life hardships while at Harlaxton. Many of my friends got colds soon after arriving and had to attend their first trips with fevers and runny noses. But just like at home, they got better and still managed to see the silver lining—they are in England! As long as you can take the good with the bad and remember life goes on, you will still get your picture perfect moments.

8. Expect unexpected costs

Your flight is booked, train tickets printed and hostel paid for. You have scheduled and reserved tickets to museums, castles, and pub crawls, but then you get to your destination a disaster strikes—you need a taxi from the airport to your hostel and when you get there it costs 50 Euros. Life is full of the unexpected, and traveling while at Harlaxton is full of unexpected expenses.

The story of the overpriced taxi is a true event that happened to me and a friend when arriving in Paris. On another trip we ended up spending 20 pounds on a metro pass for the weekend. While it was well worth the cost, we had not anticipated spending the extra money. Don’t worry too much when you have to spend a little more than you wanted because you won’t remember those few dollars when you reflect back, you’ll remember the amazing memories they led to. However, do be prepared and always bring a small emergency fund for every trip.

9. Manage your free time

By now you are probably thinking you will have zero free time in Harlaxton. That’s what I was expecting as well. But during the week, there will be moments in between classes, free evenings and, if you’re lucky, days were your schedule ends at 11 am with British Studies. This abundance of free time is a blessing, but it can also be a curse.

Managing your free time is an important part of planning at Harlaxton. If you aren’t careful you will spend your open hours scrolling through Facebook or playing chess in the junior common room. While these are both acceptable ways to unwind, doing them too often can lead to problems. Make sure you use some of your free time to organize yourself, do homework, and maybe even clean your room! Doing this can take a lot of energy at the time, but you’ll be thankful for it when Monday comes and you aren’t as stressed about upcoming due dates.

10. Form your own opinions

No matter what I or anyone else tells you, take it with a grain of salt. In the end, you know yourself the best. You have your own time management tips and tricks, wardrobe preferences, planning strategies, budget and opinion on travel options. I can give you a play-by-play of my every moment at Harlaxton, but it won’t matter because you will still have your own different and unique experience.

While listening to other people’s advice and experiences can help to prepare you for the semester and ease your worries, you have to eventually take the reins. Using your own past experiences, expectations, and preferences, you should form your own opinion about each aspect of Harlaxton. Because of this opinion you will sometimes have to go at it alone. Maybe break away from the group to climb Arthur's Seat in Scotland or go all out and plan a solo trip if no one else wants to visit your dream destination.

No matter what else happens, this is your study abroad experience and you have to take control of it for yourself. You and your own attitude will make or break your semester. So take my advice, listen in the info session, pack well, and then come to Harlaxton and experience it for yourself. Only then will you be truly prepared for this life-changing semester.

Life’s Playgrounds: Finding Small Moments in Larger-Than-Life Experiences

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 16:56:00 +0000

By: Dallas Carter

Harlaxton Manor, even though a thick fog, is grand and beautiful. If you ever take a quick glance at it from the top of the back gardens, it will almost appear fake — as if someone is holding a postcard against the landscape.

Living and studying at Harlaxton can be a surreal experience and is undoubtedly one of life’s bigger moments. Our lives are full of these moments. From graduations to birthdays, we all experience events and opportunities that seem bigger than ourselves. There is a certain magic to these moments, but sometimes we can go too far trying to make these experiences perfect.

In the case of Harlaxton, a busy schedule in the manor and trips every weekend can begin to feel overwhelming. When we put too much pressure on events to be perfect, we can fail to enjoy our experience.

When I was in middle school, my mother and I took a trip to Chicago to see One Direction in concert. At the time, the trip was a huge moment in my life and I wanted everything to go exactly as planned. Of course life isn’t perfect, so neither was the trip. We could have focused on the fact that I forgot to pack my outfit for the concert or complained about the bad weather, which had ruined our beach day. Instead, we looked past the inconveniences and focused on the small unexpected moments of joy.

On the four and a half hour drive home from Chicago, we stopped at every rest stop and played on the accompanying playground. We discovered jumbo seesaws and wooden-bench swings. We didn’t take any pictures or make any Facebook posts about our stops, but when I think back to this trip, the playgrounds are what I remember the most.

Upon arriving at Harlaxton, I had plans and ideas of how my semester was going to go. I wanted everything to be perfect and had high expectations for my every moment abroad. But I now have to remind myself to find the playgrounds alongside my study abroad experience.

Whether it’s exploring Harlaxton village on a rare sunny day, eating cheese and grapes in a small village square, or listening to “The Clash” while drinking hot chocolate at a local café, small moments influence our larger experiences.

My first weekend trip to London is a perfect example of little pieces making up the bigger picture. We got lost trying to find Kerb Market, but stumbled upon a local college campus and got a peek into student life in London. The pub we planned to spend a few hours in after our walking tour was full, but we ended up eating at a pub that locals said has the best bangers and mash in London.

Each plan that falls through or situation that becomes stressful is simply another opportunity for a new moment. We didn’t find the market, but I now have amazing pictures of the streets of London that I wouldn’t have gotten before.

When we look back on our time at Harlaxton we aren’t going to remember the missed opportunities, but the times we laughed and the happy memories we made. We will remember the little moments of joy hidden throughout every day. So even if your classes are hard or you’re homesick or you miss a train, take the time to find one of life’s many playgrounds and swing for a while.

You’re Not Alone

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 11:44:00 +0000

By: Molly Goodwin

Living in the same town your whole life, you might think: I know this city inside and out, like the back of my hand, there’s no point in going somewhere completely new, learn a whole new lifestyle, get used to a new town. Or, like me, you may think: I gotta get the heck out of here! Other places have always interested me, knowing that there are several thousand different cities within the 50 states that are awaiting new tourists and citizens. There are almost endless possibilities within the United States. I was 19 years old when I applied to study abroad. It was a huge step for me. I love being close to friends and family, and Europe was 5,000 or so miles away from something I’ve been used to my entire life. I wasn’t 100% okay with the idea of being that far away for almost half a year; it seemed scary. I’ve never moved outside of my hometown. I’ve never stayed in another city or state for more than two weeks. This was the biggest step I’d ever taken in my life. I have always wanted to live outside of Evansville, and even out of Indiana. But out of my own country? That was almost insane to me. Was I doing the right thing? Will I even enjoy myself there? What if I don’t belong? These three questions, including several others, raced through my head daily, just waiting to hear if I was accepted or not into Harlaxton. A few months after applying, in mid-October I received an email from an adviser at Harlaxton. I was hesitant to open. If I was accepted, I would be living in Europe. If not, I’d continue my life in Evansville. It was an acceptance letter. My heart was racing, I was both ecstatic and nervous. I immediately went to Facebook and decided to share this life-changing event, I received so many positive comments and encouragements. One important factor that helped me believe Harlaxton was the perfect choice for me was that my mother, when she was in college, attended Harlaxton and loved it. If there was one school my parents wanted me to go to, it was Harlaxton. I knew I would be in good hands. My fellow classmates would be from the states, so we’d all be going through the same thing: culture shock and homesickness. For some people, homesickness hit them right away, practically the moment they walked into the school, or got off the plane in London. For some people, it still hasn’t hit yet. For me, it is just now hitting. I know getting culture shock two months into the semester can be a little late. I’m just now realizing how far away I am from family, because I’ve been gone for this long. I realize that it can be difficult to communicate with them every day due to the extensive 6 hour time difference. That hits me pretty hard. It’s also hard to talk to friends and my boyfriend.

Though he is only 5 hours ahead, versus 6 from my friends and family, it’s still difficult. I’ll be waking up for the day, and they’ll be going to bed or already asleep. I’ll be going to bed and they will be sitting down and eating dinner. It’s hard. If I could give any advice, always take the opportunity to study abroad. Even if it’s for a few weeks, a summer, or a month or two. Getting to live in another country has been extremely beneficial for me. I had no idea what England was like before I came here. Now, I am learning a whole different culture and it’s an amazing experience. I am doing what I’ve always wanted to do, travel the world. Once you’re in Europe, you can travel to other countries for as low as £10. That’s an incredible price. You can even learn cultures of non-English speaking countries. For example, I traveled to Denmark, where most of their language is Danish. Sure, we had to use Google translate, but it was incredible to learn about a whole other culture and environment. Though you might be far from the ones you love, technology is advancing so much: you have Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype and endless other apps that will let you video chat or text family and friends. Take this opportunity, because there’s a huge chance you won’t get to do something as incredible as this again.

How To Play Your Hand

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 16:50:00 +0000

By: McKenna Lewis

A week before I left for Harlaxton my grandpa passed away.

Now, before you go so far as to close out of this blog and run as far away as possible, hear me out.

I think my initial statement would be better served if I backtracked a bit:

When I came into college at the University of Evansville, I knew that I needed to study abroad. No questions asked. I wanted SO badly to classify myself as a world traveler. As the months between me and Harlaxton started turningbl to weeks and then to days, it began to hit me just how REAL this opportunity was.

Of course, I had my list of places I absolutely had to see and, as early as I could justify for myself, I began to mark where I was going each weekend of the semester. Nothing else mattered aside from the fact that I was going to see as much of the world as I could while I was here.

Then it happened. I had gone back to UE a few weeks before leaving for Harlaxton to help with Welcome Week when my mom called to tell me that my grandfather’s time here on earth had been taken sooner than we anticipated and I needed to come back home.

A bittersweet experience because, while I was sad and dealing with so many different emotions, I was also happy that I could be with my family to sort through the initial grief and feel their love and support in person rather than 4,000 miles away.

When I boarded my plane for Europe the day after my grandfather’s funeral, I was overwhelmed with uncertainty. Uncertainty for friendships both at home and abroad, uncertainty for my mental health as I dealt with my grief, and uncertainty as to whether I would still be able to see as much of the world as I had originally planned.

Now, I must say that I’ve never been a big believer in coincidence. I will tell anyone that crosses my path that everything happens for a reason, regardless of whether you know that reason now or not.

I flew across the world with the question sitting idle in the back of my mind: what is the bigger picture behind the heartache I experienced right before this life changing experience?

And, much to my surprise, the answer started to come to me the minute I stepped foot off my plane. It was blurry as I walked through the airport, it was blurry as I sat on the bus to the manor, and it was blurry as I went through orientation.

But on the first night that I sat in the Bistro talking with new people like they were old friends and laughing until my stomach hurt, it finally started to become clear to me:

You don’t get a say in the cards you’re dealt. You don’t get a say in when you’re dealt them. And you don’t get a say in how other people’s hands will play in correspondence with yours. However, what you do get a say in is the way you handle each situation. You get to decide on the actions you take and the attitude you have while taking them.

You get to choose how to play your hand.

Through the people I had just met, I learned that I had the choice as to how this semester would go. I could be bitter about things I couldn’t change or joyful towards the opportunities I had moving forward. I could choose the fast track each weekend, rushing from city to city to see as many places as I could, or I could step back and take in the things I was able to and save the rest for next time. Because there will be a next time.

More important than anything, I learned that 10 times out of 10 the people you surround yourself with will impact your journey. Sometimes it’s the people you’ve known forever, sometimes it’s the people you met a few short years ago, and sometimes it’s the people you met a few short weeks ago.

Don’t let the potential for amazing moments in life pass you by because you’re too focused on getting off on the next stop on the tourist train. Embrace the moments you get with the people you get them with and believe that this moment in your life is good because of them.

I’d look around a new city in awe of the people I have the privilege to share it with before I stand in awe of the buildings any day.

So, how could I sum up all my learnings from this experience thus far? It’s easy. Traveling is about the destination, but the destination wouldn’t mean anything without the people standing beside you when you get there.

As for my grandfather? The sadness lingers, and it will for a long time. But for the next few months I will choose joy because I know that, at each stop on my journey, he is standing there with me, too.

From Students to Employees: What it’s Like Being a Harlaxton Student Development Intern

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 16:16:00 +0000

Nolan Miles, Spring 2017 Media Coordinator Intern

(Pictured: Spring 2017 Harlaxton Interns. Left to right: Meg Melbourne, Nolan Miles, Ashley Manka)

Coming to Harlaxton College as a student is a rare and wonderful opportunity. Coming to Harlaxton twice is unheard of. However, for the current Harlaxton College Student Development Office interns, it’s a reality. Three former students, myself included, dreamed of the opportunity to step foot and immerse themselves yet again in the world that is Harlaxton. Weekend trips to Paris and Barcelona, living life in a grand Manor, and enjoying the English culture are experiences that many would say are irresistible. And while us interns soak up the little time we have left at the Manor, we quickly realized that being a student and being an intern are very different experiences.

“It’s so different in so many ways,” said Meg Melbourne, current student activities intern. “After arriving it took me awhile to mentally let go of my semester as a student — to let go of the expectation of seeing my friends around the Manor, but, it’s helped me embrace this semester in an entirely new and positive way.”

One of the biggest things that we have learned serving as the Spring 2017 interns is that we are part of a core team that helps shape the Harlaxton experience for the current students. It’s both a terrifying and thrilling thing — To aid in the development of what will be one of the best semesters of the student’s lives.

“There wasn’t a moment as a Harlaxton student that I didn’t remember the interns being involved,” said Ashley Manka, student activities intern. “I loved the idea of getting to enrich the experience of future Harlaxton students. There was something alluring about the idea of never having a single day be like the day before — It was blatantly obvious that this internship required not only flexibility, but demanded variability.”

Don’t be fooled by our enthusiasm, however. Living in a beautiful Manor in the English countryside is no walk in the park. To be honest, it’s a time-consuming and stressful job. Thirty-five-hour work weeks don’t exist — It’s more like 60 hours a week. We live where we work, so we’re never “out of the office.” With only a four-person student development team, we all have to handle emergencies and responsibilities that we are unfamiliar with. We live life without any expectation of what tomorrow looks like.

“It can be hard having ‘no’ days off,” said Meg. “We have some, but we’re always with students and coworkers for evening and weekend events. Sometimes you just want to sleep in on a Friday or take time to go into town alone on the weekends”

Despite the uncertainty of our job, the constant change in plans and randomly assigned tasks, none of us would change the experience we’ve had serving as the Harlaxton Spring 2017 interns. We have created bonds with the students, the employees and the building itself. We have invested the past six months of our life to a place that once gave us a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Yet, here we are having another one.

“Something I believe to be true of any place is, ‘the people make the place,’” said Ashley. “From day one I have met nothing but the nicest and most genuinely caring individuals at Harlaxton. I couldn’t be more appreciative of the hard work and continued kindness the staff have shown me and many others.”

So the question remains: Which Harlaxton experience was better? When we were students or while we are interns? For Meg and Ashley, they both say it’s hard to tell because they are very different experiences. And I would have to agree. However, as a student I didn’t know what to expect coming to Harlaxton. As an intern coming back I was prepared for another brief, life-changing experience. I was fully aware to soak up every moment with the students, every task of my job and every nook and cranny of the Manor. So as our time at Harlaxton comes to a final close, fully knowing we will never live here again, I am grateful for having taken advantage of my Harlaxton 2.0 experience by absorbing every second of my time in our “forever home.”

Up the Creek Without a Paddle

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 15:28:00 +0000

Isaac Martin (Spring 2017)

... And we like it that way!

Lake District was an adventure. It was an adventure in the fullest sense of the word, “an unusual and exciting or daring experience,” and let me tell you, Lake District did not disappoint. It was unusual in the sense that it didn’t include site-seeing within the cities, or finding cool museum tours or looking at old buildings as you walk down old cobble-stoned streets. Instead of walking out of the hostel and onto a busy street, we walked out to find nothing but a beautiful vista of the calmest, most peaceful lake I have ever laid eyes upon. It truly was sensational. After letting calmness rush over you, you see the mountain break through the fog behind the lake and you realize that you’re about to climb it. This is the excitement the Lake District promises. As you approach the mountain you can’t help but notice the countless streams and creeks, all of various sizes, running off the mountain and into the still lake. Then it hits you – tomorrow you’re going ghyll scrambling and you’ll dare to walk (you’ll later learn that means wading) up one of those streams.

In all my years spent outdoors, hiking and whatnot, my favorite times have been the ones where I have a starting point, an ending point, and a vague idea of where I want to be in the middle without having a strict path to follow or reason to rush. The best times for me are just spent doing what I love most-- exploring. What a better way to experience the Lake District than simply crawling up the side of the mountain, abandoning the scattered paths through the hills, and simply seeing what you can see.

There are definite perks to walking off the beaten path; new discoveries, better views, and a stronger sense of adventure. However, it doesn’t come without its difficulties. Out of such difficulties, games were made. What games, you might ask? The ones were everyone in the group agreed that whoever fell over from slipping in the mud the most lost. We went so far as to define the rules of playing and what exactly constitutes a “fall”. We mostly followed the NFL rules for what is ruled a tackle (any body part besides the feet or hands touching the ground is considered down). And after consideration we included a “tripping” clause that if anyone was determined to have tripped or deliberately pushed another down would have said person’s fall attributed to the pusher’s score. The goal was to keep your score low so as to not lose the game.

Ten miles later, the final score-line amongst us nine friends was 2-2-2-1-1-1-1-0-0. The three-way tie was never broken and all three “2-pointers” were determined to be co-losers. It was random games like this that contributed to seemingly random exploration being one of my favorite activities of the Lake District. This game also helped me to realize that sometimes in life you’re going to fall down, but while you’re at it, have some fun with it!

One of the most interesting parts of the hike itself was that each time we saw a hill we thought to ourselves, “Surely, if we can just get to the top of this hill, we can take a break on top.” A great mindset in theory. However, as in life, there’s always another hill to climb. The Lake District has no shortage of climbs to be had, and it’s important to just keep putting one foot in front of the other because the view from the top was worth it every time. After hours of false-summits we finally reached the top of one mountain, marked by the stone column informing us of our measly 1100 feet climb (by far the smallest summit in the area).

Another favorite adventure from the Lake District was ghyll scrambling. Something I hadn’t heard of until signing up for activities through Harlaxton, I had no idea what to expect out of this. The easiest way to describe what ghyll scrambling actually is would be to have you imagine the coldest water you can think of being acceptable to get into, and then imagine colder but going in anyways. Now imagine that said water is moving swiftly down a sizeable mountain creek. Add a helmet for safety, shoes with some good grip, and now get in that creek and start walking (or crawling, rather) upstream.

Ghyll scrambling taught me a few things. First and foremost, it taught me that it’s okay to accept that you have physical limitations and that some people will just flat out be more inclined to do things that you just can’t. Ghyll scrambling involves a lot of finger strength, body control, and sometimes you just won’t be able to reach the same hand holds as everyone else. That leads me to the next ghyll scrambling lesson: creativity. Just because you can’t use the same handholds or path that someone else used doesn’t mean there isn’t a solution for you. Use creativity to find a way for you to make your own path amidst the current trying to sweep you away. Lastly, via various deeper pools of water along the route, I learned to take the jump. You only have one chance to ghyll scramble with this group of people, on this creek, with conditions like this. Don’t not jump simply to save yourself from feeling a little cold. Jump in the freezing cold water and make a fool of yourself. Life doesn’t offer do-overs.

This adventure truly was all about the journey, not the destination. And more than that, it was about the lessons learned, disguised as fun and games that stick with me through the memories. From learning to have fun with it when you fall down, putting one foot in front of another until the view takes your breath away, accepting what you can do, creatively finding a way around what you can’t, or taking the jump into that cold water because you don’t know if you’ll ever have the chance to do it again, Lake District imparted me with stunning views and important reminders.

Finding the Perfect Balance: Harlaxton College Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 15:05:00 +0000

By Megan Taylor (Spring 2017)

Finding the right balance between schoolwork and travelling can be difficult while at Harlaxton. The goal is to get that 4.0 but also to live out our dreams of travelling the world. Fear not! There can be that perfect balance and yes, you can find it!

To start off, knowing what type of learner you are is very important! My first semester, one of my professors made everyone take an online quiz to see what type of learner we all were, and I cannot thank her enough. I encourage you to find a test online to see what kind of learner you are; visual, auditory, or kinesthetic. Knowing how you learn will also help you get to know yourself a little better. It is always good to know what makes you most comfortable and what works for you.

Going along with learning styles and knowing yourself, knowing if you need more time to study versus maybe not needing as much time is important. There is nothing wrong with travelling every weekend, but the British Studies course that is required of all Harlaxton students is tough and it can be overwhelming. I know that depending on the style of class how much time I need to allot every week for schoolwork. Because I allot time throughout the week, I allow myself to have the weekend free so I can travel. I have talked to some students who are at Harlaxton this semester and they agreed. Balancing schoolwork and travel can be hard and overwhelming but once you find what works for you, you will breeze through the semester.

Another piece of the puzzle to finding your perfect balance is self-care. I cannot express enough how important it is to eat well, exercise (if that’s not your cup of tea, walk up to the 500s corridor it will get your heart pumping!), drink plenty of water, and get enough sleep. I have also been given the advice to take a weekend to stay at the manor once every month to 6 weeks. Course load at Harlaxton is said to be lighter, but I am finding that midterm semester is still a pretty heavy week. It is okay to stay back if that is what you need to catch up on schoolwork or just to relax.

As the halfway point is approaching, I am realizing that part of the Harlaxton experience is really getting the opportunity to know yourself. This is key to not only making your experience at Harlaxton what you want to get out of this opportunity, but to find the perfect balance between schoolwork and travelling for you.

Coping with Anxiety Abroad

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 14:35:00 +0000

By Sari Baum (Spring 2017)

As I looked out the bus window on the way into the city I felt we had made a mistake. Years of communist rule had turned what was once picturesque Latvian suburbs into a graveyard of boarded up apartment complexes with cast iron balconies hanging from the buildings windows like loose teeth. To some people we were traveling off the edge of the map as Riga is a city that’s fame has been smothered by a tragic history of occupation. The destitution we were witnessing was amplified by my “high-functioning” anxiety.

I stayed silent for most of the twenty minute bus ride into the center of the city. Our sleepless night made it easy to claim exhaustion as the cause of my quiet mood rather than a panic attack. But slowly Riga unveiled its beauty and suddenly we were in a blooming city center framed by eclectic Art Nouveau architecture and barren trees drenched in twinkling blue lights. It was a quiet fairy tale none of us were expecting.

Once in Old Town we agreed to search for food and as we ambled along I touched each of my fingers one at a time to my thumb, hoping that the repetitive motion would keep me calm. We walked towards a bakery, following some locals who we figured knew where to find the most authentic food. The bakery had pastries filling the windows; little Christmas cakes covered in powered sugar and traditional heart shaped gingerbread cookies decorated with piped icing lace. The women behind the counter were patient as we tried to point to what we wanted to order and helped us count out our money on the counter. I ordered something familiar to me, poppy seed cake, because I find that food has a way of making me feel at home. It connects you with the culture around you and each bite gets you closer to figuring out your place in all of it. The four of us took an exhausted selfie together, capturing the moment before enjoying our first round of baked goods (we came back again the next day). But that picture also captured the moment my anxiety began to dissipate and the tense feeling in my stomach was replaced with the scrumptious fruitiness of poppy seeds.

Later that night we befriended two girls at our hostel and decided to go out. You haven’t truly visited Riga until you’ve experienced its nightlife. With this decision to skip going to bed my anxiety intensified. But buried beneath the worry that everything could go wrong I realized I was excited. Walking into the club was like stumbling onto the set of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Dense air, the jiggling of change as it’s exchanged for shots, and distorted visions of people dancing beneath frantic strobe lights. The environment was abstract and yet my travel companions had already become a comfort to me and that was enough. We stayed out until four in the morning, wandering around Old Town trying not to trip on the cobblestones and watching people as they staggered home singing drunken lullabies. All day the city had been quiet, almost reserved. But at night the city was revived, and its people seemed acutely aware of the need to live unapologetically.

The Harlaxton ABC's

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 14:35:00 +0000

By Kelly Nixon (Spring 2017)

A is for adventure, ASDA, and afternoons. No matter where you go or what you do here it's an adventure. From getting lost exploring in the afternoon or perusing the candy isle at ASDA, everything is exciting and fun.

B is for British Studies, the six-credit hour course everyone takes. The amount of Henry's, Edward's, and Thomas's will make you lose your mind.

C is for cathedrals, castles, and city centers. Europe is full of both the old and new. You never find yourself short of old cathedrals and castles to visit more often than not right at or near the modern, bustling city center.

D is for double-decker buses, dancing, and dreams come true. Whether you get to ride a double-decker bus for the first time or spend your time dancing the night away at the Ceilidh, being at Harlaxton and all of the firsts it provides is a dream come true!

E is for embrace. Embrace the changes; embrace all that's different. Take it all in. Jump into the different countries and cultures. It's fun, it's different, it's exciting! Also embrace your mistakes- so what if you took a wrong turn or messed up when tying to figure out military time. It's all part of a semester abroad.

F is for friends that turn into family and fun. You spend every hour with the same people, your group of friends that become your family as you both have fun exploring, discovering, and facing challenges and hard times.

G is for Gregory Gregory and Grantham. Thanks to a man named Gregory Gregory. You built an amazing and unique manor house in Grantham that would become the home of hundreds of Harlaxton study abroad students. Grantham is a town that’s not too big, yet not too small. It's not only home to ASDA and the magical Poundland but also The Gregory and The Goose.

H is for Harlaxton of course! You're British home away from home. The manor house that you love so much, never want to leave, and rejoice in returning to every Sunday night.

I is for independence, a skill you learn and/or refine here. While the school keeps an eye on us and where we're going, they let us go and spread our wings. We make mistakes, miss trains, and have to fend for ourselves. It's all part of the experience, and it makes us stronger, smarter, and more independent people. We learn that yes, we can do it.

J is for the journey, not the destination. Being at Harlaxton is all about taking a couple of wrong turns on the way to where you're going. It's about taking pleasure in the process and not hurrying up to get somewhere. It's about stopping to smell the roses, pet the dogs, and taking detours because "oohhh that looks neat!" It's not about making sure you see every tourist attraction and every museum, but instead is about making sure you see the city and the country and the little things that make them unique.

K is for kings and the Royal Family. They are kind of a big deal- especially from the viewpoint of the American since we don't have royalty at home. Also, you learn all about the monarchy in British Studies.

L is for languages. With all the different countries you visit come different cultures and languages. Try to communicate; try to understand them! The natives will appreciate your attempt and you'll find that even with barriers you can still get your point across. You might just also properly learn a word or two.

M is for management; management of time and of finances. We learn to balance study and travel and how to keep and stick to a budget. This is in my opinion one of the most important (and serious) things you will learn this semester.

N is for naps. Travel is exhausting and the coaches can and will put you and everybody else to sleep. No matter how hard you try to hold your eyes open, I guarantee that you're going to wake up an hour or two slumped against your neighbor who is probably also asleep or waking up since it's just about time for you to be pulling into the Manor's drive.

O is for old. Coming from the US, a baby when it comes to countries, I was shocked at just how old some things are. The history here is amazing.

P is for passport, your most important document. Don't lose it! Your passport allows you to travel from country to country. It's the first thing that gets packed, and it tells the story of your adventures though its pages of many stamps.

Q is questions. Here there is no such thing as a stupid question- well okay there are stupid questions, many of them. Don't be shy, ask them anyway. Everything here is new and different and you're going to want to know the what's and why's of it all. Trust me, you’re not going to sound like an idiot- this is coming from the girl who asked "how do you (the British) keep all of the hedges flat and even on top?"

R is for rain. It rains so much here! When you go outside you should always be prepared lest you get stuck in the afternoon drizzle. That is unless you adopt my motto- "I'll dry".

S is for study; yes study the "real" reason you came this semester. It also stands for stairs and sheep. The amount of stairs you climb in the Manor is insane, especially if, like me, you live in the 500s. Also while here, sheep may become one of your favorite animals, whether from visiting them while walking the trails around Harlaxton or gazing at them from the train in Scotland.

T is for transportation. Whether by plane, train, or automobile, you can get just about anywhere here in Europe. It's crazy that you can hop on a train and be in another country in two or three hours. The planes here are also really inexpensive (compared to US) standards, making travel not only easy but pretty cheap too.

U is for the United Kingdom. What more can I say? England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. Yes, it's different from Britain, and no I didn't know that before coming but I sure do now!

V is for video-calling home. FaceTime, Skype, Facebook Messenger video chat, it really doesn't matter when you just need to talk to your mom (or your dog). Whether you just want to tell everyone back at home about your weekend trip or you are feeling homesick, video calls are the best thing ever. Just keep the time difference in mind when trying to schedule them.

W is for walking... everywhere. Your feet are two of the best forms of transportation here. Not only do you get exercise (more than you every thought you would this semester) but you also see parts of cities and towns that you would miss taking other forms of transportation.

X is for (e)xperience and (e)xploration. This semester is one of the greatest experiences you will ever have. Words do not do justice when trying to describe this semester. You do things you never believed you could or would do. You try new things and explore new places, and become a better person because of it.

Y is for yes! This is the semester of "yes!" It is the semester of trying new things and not saying no. It is the enthusiasm of the adventure and a learning curve, too. It is saying "yes" to new people, new places, and a new you.

Z is for zoom- how time just seems to fly! One day you're just arriving and the next you're asking where the semester went. We're about half of the way through the semester now and I swear it's only been a few days! Like, didn't we just get here?

Misadventures in Birmingham

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 14:10:00 +0000

Or How I Survived 7 Uncomfortable Situations in 26 hours

Shelby Preston, Spring 2017

This weekend, I went to Birmingham with my friends. The plan was to meet up with my friend’s relatives, who live in the city. We were strikingly unorganized for this trip, so I wasn’t expecting much--which was a good thing, considering how unexpected the trip turned out to be.

There are seven Uncomfortable Situations in this list: three of them include trains, one includes a taxi driver, two include alcohol, and one involves the repercussions of being Americans in Europe, which comes with uncomfortable-ness on its own.

Situation 1. The first situation began while we were on the first train--a good omen for the rest of our trip, honestly. Here, we learned for the first time that while tourists are best to remain quiet and respectful on trains, English people can do what they want on them. We desperately tried to use headphones to block out the sound of the very drunk, very loud, very English girls sitting by us. Headphones don’t work for this purpose.

Situation 2. The second situation also takes place on a train, but it’s much more exciting. We switched trains at Nottingham; and, about halfway through, as we were all settled down and ready to finally reach Birmingham, heard the train voice offering us another fantastic omen for our trip--“There has been a fire on the tracks at the Birmingham station. All riders need to get off here.” We found our replacement train, though--after walking around for about fifteen minutes asking anyone in a yellow vest where to go and getting completely different answers each time. The fun part is that these two experiences happened on my first train ride ever.

Situation 3. Finally--FINALLY--we made it to the Birmingham train station. We got a taxi, gave him the address to the place, and settled down, again, for the trip. This being my first ride in an English taxi, I wasn’t expecting the driver to suddenly inform us that he couldn’t find the address; and I most definitely wasn’t expecting his solution to this problem to be “I’ll drop you off here and you can walk around and find it.” In other words, four female American tourists, holding luggage and using our phones as maps, were wandering around at 10 p.m on a Friday night on the back roads of the second biggest city in England. Don’t tell my parents.

Situation 4. The interesting part of the weekend actually begins here. We met up with my friend’s family, her cousin, who took us to the flat that we were going to be staying in for the weekend. He then gave us an offer: he would take us out to an “authentic Birmingham pub” and buy us drinks. We didn’t understand the gravity of this offer, at least not at the time. This man was a...drinking enthusiast, and he liked the people he was with to be drinking enthusiasts, too; this meant rounds and rounds of alcohol were being served to us. Don’t want another drink? Sorry. Haven’t finished your first? Too bad. This did not bode well for me and my three American friends, as none of us had had a real taste for alcohol yet.

Situation 5. Luckily, we all managed to survive this; we all were able to get out of his insistence on continuing to buy us drinks. However, we were not able to get out of his insistence on getting us an authentic English serving of chips to take back to the flat with us. Back at the flat, we luckily found a way to insult all of England by determining that this enormous serving of chips was subpar to American fast food fries. We apologize, England; please don’t send us home.

Situation 6. The next day, we went out to dinner with my friend’s family--about 12 people total. They were fascinated with us, as were we with them; but the questions were more answered than asked on our part, because if anyone was going to talk, we’d rather it be someone with a British accent. This is when the dinner became uncomfortable. We managed to both break some of the American stereotypes they had...and to confirm some of them.

Things we reassured them about:

1. No, we are not diehard Trump supporters; no, we did not watch the inauguration with popcorn and sodas

2. No, sorority life at UE is not like sororities in the movies

3. No, not all Americans are used to warm weather and are dying slowly in this England cold (just some of us).

Things we, unfortunately, left them with:

1. Yes, of course Taco Bell and White Castle are all Americans’ favorite restaurants, and they are definitely authentic American cuisine

2. Yes, we are perfectly comfortable being hugged and kissed on the cheek by every member of your family

3. Yes, of course we are going to go out and party tonight; sleeping and Netflix were in no way the original agenda

Situation 7. On the way home, we encountered the last and possibly most scarring Uncomfortable Situation: the train at 9pm on a Saturday night. A train full of drunks sat right behind us. We prayed they wouldn’t be loud; and then they started singing. We prayed they wouldn’t be messy; and then they spilled an entire beer in the aisle and stared at it until someone expertly offered, “We spilled that.” And we prayed they would get off at one of the many stops before we reached Grantham--at ANY of the 5 other options--and then we heard a slurred “Is this Grantham?” “No, it’s not Grantham!” “Well, how long ‘til Grantham?” and so on (with some other choice insults, naturally). We did escape, eventually, to enjoy another--luckily uneventful--cab ride back to the manor.

All of these situations made the trip to Birmingham very...colorful. Despite the unplanned parts, of being scared for our lives and whatnot, we did manage to see some beautiful sites in Birmingham--this lovely statue of a bull, for example, with whom we posed on the notion of “Oh, it looks cool, let’s get a picture with it” This reasoning is similar to how we explored the Birmingham city center, and how we’ve explored and gotten lost in most places we’ve traveled so far.

The best part of traveling to Birmingham wasn’t experiencing so many things. It wasn’t casually pretending that we felt uncomfortable accepting free food and cab rides from my friend’s family; it wasn’t getting more experience in dissecting heavily accented British sentences; and it wasn’t even the fact that every British person we meet that finds out we spent a weekend in Birmingham repeats “Birmingham?” with shock, even though that’s been my favorite part so far. I suppose I will say that the best part of Birmingham was getting to explore it with my friends.

From Kid to Classmate: My Harlaxton Experience, 2.0

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 13:38:00 +0000

Anna Siewers, Fall 2012 (Harlaxton 'Kid') & Spring 2017 (Harlaxton Student)

Almost two months has passed since the Spring 2017 class of Harlaxton College arrived at our new home in Grantham, England. Many of my favorite moments so far have been the number of ‘firsts’ that my classmates and I have encountered— first time in a new country, first time living away from home and family, first time planning independent excursions, and of course, first experience living in a beautiful manor home on the English countryside.

However, my first experience living here is a little different than most. It actually occurred a little over four years ago, during the fall of 2012. And instead of attending Harlaxton as a college student, I was a Harlaxton "kid." My father, a professor at Western Kentucky University, had applied for and accepted a position as a faculty member for a semester at Harlaxton College. This meant that not only my dad, but my mom, younger sister, and I packed up our lives (at least, as much as we could fit in a few suitcases) and headed to England for four months.

Of course, that experience was quite different from the one I'm having now. Instead of the renovated servant's quarters that I'm currently calling home, my family and I lived in two spacious rooms on the Blue Corridor that were just about as ornate as the fancy state rooms that I now attend class in. My mom, our resident travel agent, planned all our weekend trips for our family. So, just like the rest of my classmates, I am most definitely learning one weekend at a time how to see all of Europe in a semester without going broke.

The transition from family life in America to family life abroad was not necessarily easy. My dad was traveling for his job, so he simply had to acquire a work visa (easy enough, right?). My mom took four months off her work for our travels, and my sister and I (aged 12 and 15 at the time) enrolled in all-girls public school in Grantham. Before this, we were the type of kids who had gone to school with the exact same people since kindergarten. So, naturally, a school with uniforms, a bi-weekly block schedule, houses (think Harry Potter), no boys, and not a single familiar face caused just a little bit of a culture shock.

Don't get me wrong, though, I wouldn't trade my semester at Walton Girls' High School for the world. As soon as it was discovered that my sister and I were American, we were asked about a million and a half questions each day for the remainder of our time there.

"Do you live in California? How long does it take to drive there?" (this question was always followed with looks of disbelief when I answered.)

"Have you ever met any famous people?"

"Does your house look like the Kardashian's does?"

"Do you really go to school with boys?"

"Wait, Kentucky? As in KFC?" (we're leaving a great legacy, y'all)

Schoolwise, Walton couldn't have been more different from my many years of experience in the American public school system. Tests, quizzes, and homework were not the daily occurrence that they were back home. My classes included dance,

religious studies, and even a free period when I attempted to teach myself the curriculum for my AP United States History course back home. I quickly learned that math class was referred to as "maths", you were to say "yes, miss" instead of "here" during roll call, and that backpacks were definitely not the cool way to transport your books.

Since homework was basically nonexistent, I would come home from school and spend my afternoons roaming the manor and grounds, playing snooker, watching movies, you name it. To this day, I still know all the secret passages and best hangout spots in and around the manor like the back of my hand. This semester, however, time outside of class is spent crying over British Studies or crying over my bank account as I plan out my next weekend excursion. Instead of watching the older college students compete in house competitions, I’m competing myself with my own teammates. Rather than hanging out in the Van der Elst faculty lounge with my family, I can often be found in the Schroeder Lounge or the Bistro with my friends.

But as different as my experience four years ago was, so much is just the same this time around. Many of the same friendly faces on staff are there to greet every person each day with a smile. The refectory food hasn’t changed in the slightest. And the manor itself is exactly as I left it-- in fact, I distinctly remember that feeling of awe that washed over me as I caught my first glimpse of the majestic building back in August

of 2012. And just a month ago as our bus of bleary-eyed college students pulled up to the gate, that feeling that washed over us was just the same.

As a sophomore in high school, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my life after graduation (surprisingly, I'm still figuring that one out). I did, however, know that I would do absolutely whatever it took to return to Harlaxton as a college student. At only 15 years old, this place opened my eyes to an entire world outside of what I had always known. It left me with an inexplicable desire to travel, experience, and create my own

world view. My time at Harlaxton gave me a greater understanding of different cultures, languages, and people. And at 20 years old, it's doing exactly the same.

They say ‘you only Harlaxton once’—and for many, that is true. But if you’re like me and ever find yourself with the opportunity to study abroad or travel the world all over again, take it. The people you’ll meet, the lessons you’ll learn, and the experiences you’ll have are ones that you will carry with you for years to come.

Spring 2017

Why You Should Ask for Directions: Adventures in Cardiff

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 14:32:00 +0000

Rachel McCoy, Spring 2017

This weekend I went to Cardiff, Wales with Georgia McMaster and we got a little lost because buses are confusing, especially when you can’t find a complete map of the system. We were trying to use Google Maps but the Wifi was iffy at best. Regardless, we were pretty sure we’d found the right bus stop, evident by the bus parked at the stop. The only problem was we weren’t sure if it was the right bus, so we decided to ask an older couple that was also waiting for the bus. Here’s how that conversation went:

I cautiously walk up to the couple, “excuse me, is this bus going to the Bay?”

Older lady turns to me and says very politely, “no, this is a park ‘n’ ride bus.”

As I try to hide my disappointment I respond, “oh, thank you,” and walk away with Georgia.

We proceeded to huddle against a wall in order to get wifi and realized that the bus we wanted would be there in about ten minutes. To our surprise, however, the older couple asked the bus driver if he could still give us a ride while we waited. With two bus drivers present for the changing of shifts, the one who was coming off shift said “If it was my bus, I’d definitely take them” and the current bus driver also agreed.

Georgia and I looked at each other, shocked that it was really happening, but the older gentleman gestured for us to get on with him, saying “pretend you're in my car.”

Once seated on the bus Georgia said to the couple, “you're so nice, thank you very much.”

And the lady replied “of course we are, we’re Welsh.”

Don’t be afraid to ask for directions/help/whatever you need from someone who looks like they know what they’re doing because it can really pay off. Also, totally go to Wales. A short trip from Harlaxton, Wales is the location of many historical places as well as several iconic places from the Doctor Who universe. One of my favorite things Georgia and I did was walk a few trails in Bute Park on Saturday morning and, despite being a cold day in January, the sun had called plenty of people (and dogs) outside. Bute Park is next to Cardiff Castle, and has extensive cycling and walking trails for those who fancy the outdoors. Not only did we walk several trails but also climbed some trees and leisurely soaked up the sun in the beautiful place.

The beautiful city is also the location of great little shops all within walking distance of one another. While we were there for only two days, there’s plenty more to explore including several museums, Sully Island, and Principality Stadium. In Wales, you can simply walk down the street with a guarantee to find something to do.

Love Stories from Harlaxton Manor

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 10:15:00 +0000

Harlaxton not only brings together students for a semester filled with adventure, but it’s also known to bring together couples destined for love. Over the past 45 years, young men and women have started their lives together on the grounds of the 19^th century country home. So this Valentine’s Day Harlaxton College wants to celebrate some of the love stories that started and blossomed during their time at the Manor. From sitting next to each other in classes to competing against one another in House competitions, you never know if you’re going to meet your future spouse at Harlaxton.

Hayden and Abby, Spring 2014

“Our story begins in the hotel lobby on the first day of our London trip: several of our mutual friends from Western Kentucky University were gathered in a group as we waited to set out on our excursion to the Tower of London. This is where we were first introduced.

As the weeks at Harlaxton College flew by, we began to see more of each other—in the refectory, on group outings into Grantham, and movie nights in the Pearson room. Eventually, we found ourselves talking into the early hours of many mornings, getting to know each other very quickly. As time passed, we became nearly inseparable: celebrating our birthdays together, spending our weekends exploring the Manor, and creating the best memories with our fellow students. We went on our first date at the Barcelona Zoo, a trip we will never forget.

When we returned to the U.S., we spent all summer traveling to see each other. We knew our Harlaxton romance was special and on June 25, 2015 we got engaged. We spent a year planning for the wedding and our future as the Hickeys. On June 4^th, 2016, we got married surrounded by many of our Harlaxton friends. As this time of year comes around, we frequently reminisce about our time on the English countryside and thank Gregory Gregory for the beautiful Manor, built perfectly to give us the opportunity to fall in love.” — Abby

Sean and Cheyanne, Fall 2012

“Cheyanne and I met the night of the Ceilidh dance, one of the first events of the Fall 2012 semester. We were both from different schools but as fate would have it, my parents live in the same town as her university. Thus proving again how travel makes the world seem a bit smaller for us global citizens. On our first date, Zyggy drove us to town in the shuttle for a romantic ASDA trip. The magic of the Manor was strong and after a trip to Paris and many more dates at that finest of Grantham establishments, The Goose, we knew we had found something special. We're both so thankful for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of falling in love in a Manor house in the English countryside. It must have been all the Shakespeare and Austen we absolutely had time to read. We will soon be celebrating 3 happy years of marriage at our home in China. Harlaxton gave us a love for traveling together. So much so we are typing this blog post from our Airbnb in Tokyo! The journey never ends! Pegasus House for life.” — Sean

Tyler and Lorissa, Spring 2014

“Our path to one another was based on a lot of slim chances going our way; if one thing had changed, we would have never met. From both of us choosing to go to one of the few schools that sends people to Harlaxton (I’m from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Tyler from Wabash College) to Tyler having classes with professors on the study abroad committee and getting an informal offer to make the trip abroad, and from me changing my plans to study in Limerick, Ireland to Harlaxton, England. We look back now and realize how truly lucky we were to end up in the United Kingdom.

It was an even happier coincidence that we managed to find ourselves seated next to one another in Dr. Bujak’s World War II class. I had a crush on Tyler from the minute I laid eyes on his beard (just kidding...kind of) but was way too chicken to approach him. Tyler had no idea in the slightest that I had a crush on him. Tyler introduced himself eventually by talking trash about my beloved Green Bay Packers (he’s a Chicago Bears fan), a tactic that only worked because I’m such a big football fan in the first place.

After that we became friends, he even got to meet my family in another chance encounter, until eventually things came to a head at an incredibly classy establishment called Faces. After Tyler danced with my good friend, Sonja (he still didn’t know I had a crush on him), our mutual friend Chrissy finally revealed that I really liked him. Even though Tyler tried to be as dashing as he could by asking me to dance, I rejected the offer. After trying a couple more times, I eventually gave him a shot. It’s truly amazing to think that that night has led to us being officially together for three years this April and working towards moving in together in the very near future.” — Lorissa

Austin and Makayla, Fall 2013

“Our story began while studying at Harlaxton during the Fall 2013 semester. He was a student at the University of Evansville and I was a student at Baker University. The first time we met was the day the house cup teams were selected. We were both placed in Pegasus, and from then on, we couldn’t get enough time together. Neither of us were looking for a relationship, but we never expected to grow so close in just three short months. We started traveling together on the weekends and towards the end of the semester we knew we didn’t want it to end. When we got back to the states, he went home to Indiana and I went back to Kansas. I made the seven hour trip to Indiana less than two weeks after we returned. We made the long distance work for our first semester back, it only took 10,000 miles on the road in four months. After that semester, I made the big decision to transfer to a school in Evansville. I made the big move in May of 2014, and from that point on, it has been nothing but great adventures together!

Our adventures together have taken us to nine countries, parasailing on the Gulf Coast, rappelling down waterfalls in Costa Rica, and zip lining over the rain forest in Central America. Harlaxton was the greatest adventure either of us had ever experienced, but because of that one semester abroad, we are about to start our next great adventure. We are getting married in September!” — Makayla

Jordan and Chelsea, Fall 2012

“Chelsea and I met for the first time at the High Table dinner when we first got to the Manor. We went to different colleges, so we had never even seen each other before. It was a rather brief introduction, and honestly neither of us really thought much of it. A couple of months went by and some people at the Manor decided to order pizza and have a Lord of the Rings marathon. The Pearson Lounge was occupied, so we all crammed into one of the little rooms down in the Bistro. Well, once there, this girl, who I though was rather cute, offered to teach me how to play Hearts on my computer. She did, and then proceeded to take her seat on the other side of the room. We watched the first movie, and then learned the Pearson Lounge was free. We moved our group upstairs and I strategically seated myself on the couch next to this quiet, charming girl whose name was Chelsea. After that, we travelled together on a lot trips throughout the semester. We explored Caernarfon Castle, saw Stonehenge and explored the Louvre together, which we consider our first official date, which was the last time we saw each other while in Europe. She studied abroad another semester in the spring, this time in Costa Rica. We dated for about a year and a half before getting married June 6, 2015. And here we are, married for a year and a half and always planning our next adventure.” — Jordan

Michael and Sarah, Spring 2015

“Sarah and I met each other for the first time early in Harlaxton, but we didn't really start talking to each other until one day when I spotted her in the DVD room. I started talking to her about my writing, and soon we grew into friends. I would hang out with her and her friend group every Monday, and then more often. Sarah and I were friends for a while until I went to Gibraltar, where I realized she had feelings for me. We talked, cuddled and I asked her out. We had our first kiss, but for a while we wanted to keep it away from the friend group so as to not create drama. We had an amazing time traveling together to Bath and Stonehenge that we decided to tell our friends after returning to the Manor. Then I was hanging out with her every day. We grew in our relationship, and after I got back from France we told each other "I love you". The month of April was hard for us because we knew that we would have to say goodbye soon, but we wanted to continue long distance. We even had a talk about it in the Gold Room on how we were going to make it. Leaving her at Heathrow was the hardest thing I have ever done. Despite the fact that I spent the next two weeks with my family in Europe, I missed her so much. When I got back home, we planned a flight to see each other. I flew down to Austin Texas to see her. Three times that summer we saw each other, and each time was special. Sarah and I made a promise to see each other in person every month, and so far we have kept it. I have flown and driven the full 18 hours to see her numerous times. This winter was my 6th trip to Texas by car.” — Michael

The Most Common Mistakes Students Make When They Get Here

noreply@blogger.com (Harlaxton) — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 14:35:00 +0000

By: Brittney Diehm, Spring 2017

When we all go through the decision-making process about whether or not to completely exit our comfort zones for an entire semester, I think many students turn to friends that have already come to Harlaxton or studied abroad somewhere else. At least, that’s what my friends and I seemed to do.

The advice I received ranged from, “oh my gosh Brittney you have to do it, it will change your life forever” to “you will grow so much in such a short amount of time,” and even “you will forever want to go back even though there will be times you will want nothing but to just be home.”

Looking at these messages now… wow. In only a few short weeks I can see how all of this advice can relate to so many people. And let me tell you, we’ve all grown and learned a lot and January isn’t even over yet. People make mistakes, and we have a lot of mistakes to make here.

We were put here at Harlaxton to figure life out. To make mistakes, and be our own people in our own little ‘Harlaxton Bubble’. So let’s talk about the mistakes made already.

As far as my travel experience, the second week I was here I booked the wrong flight and immediately panicked. I think I was overwhelmed looking at flights, times, trains, taxis, and many other tabs opened on my computer while trying to plan the perfect weekend trip. I took a second and simply searched how to switch my flight. Although it cost me an extra 30 pounds, it was so easy to do and I guess I experienced #adulting for myself.

One student also made the mistake of playing me in basketball. Don’t do that. I’m pretty sure he has pneumonia now.

There have been much worse experiences, however. Groups have missed shuttles to the train station, missed trains, had the door of the train shut in their faces as the rest of the group happily carries on without them, and flights have been delayed placing students behind on arrival over 20 hours.

Every mistake is a learning opportunity, especially when travelling. However, as study abroad students we learn to make the most out of our mistakes and develop stronger relationships.

Like I said before, we are all here to learn, grow, and make our own mistakes. Everyone has made their fair share already, but we’re all continuing to thrive. We can’t complain. What are a few mistakes compared to living in a castle and travelling to a new country every weekend?