I Link You

what would a chicago student in london do?

I did a lot of catching up with my friend at LSE this past weekend. We compared our experiences as "international" students in our respective countries. There were definitely some differences especially given the time lengths of our programs (and the vast difference in day-to-day expenses).

Currently, I've been writing from the experience of an "international student" only staying for a quarter. My friend is participating in the year-long program at LSE. While I worry that I don't have enough time to visit every European country for my 10-week stay, my friend worries about whether she will have enough money to last her the entire year. Thus, our lifestyles are very different. Although UK and US use the same language, the two have vastly different cultures. My friend could try to assimilate into her temporary home for the year while my relatively short time (and associated language barrier) prevents me from fully appreciating my temporary home.

We do have similarities at the same time. It's really hard to meet actual people who are British or French. Most of the people that my friend hangs out with are American students as well. Many British people who are in my friend's dorm are first years who have just gotten out of high school or master's students who can't afford to live in a flat for a year. Many British upperclassmen either live at home or off-campus with their friends from high school. That seems to be the case for my dorm as well as it is called the "Foundation of the United States." I meet my fair share of American students in the dorm, and I got really lucky meeting French students (unless it's at a bar and they're clearly tipsy).

British and French people do take their relationships very seriously and definitely demand to be connected constantly either via phone or in person. Not many of them actually use online social networking tools because they see these relationships as very casual. If they do participate in social networking, it's often among people who know each other very well. This is very similar to Americans as well. Many American students here see Facebook as a way to complement their relationships with people they know very well. They spend a lot of time with the people they care about. Everything from meals, coffee, work, conversation, "short" run-ins on the street. It was actually a pleasant break from the bustle and "efficiency" of American life. (However, I do appreciate functional and fast internet. I can't find that in my dorm.)

I think we are picking up some European mannerisms though. I am texting a lot more than making a phone call. I take my time in everything. I make sure that I interact with 110% attention to one person. I do get a lot of new phone numbers to text every week. It's nice to get all these restaurant and club recommendations too. I wish I can keep track of who recommended what places, so that I can check them off or find out more information about them.

posted by Koh @ 2:12 AM