The London Syndrome

Finals are over!! Yay! It's so weird, I feel like I was just taking them two months ago. Oh, that's right, because I was! Now I just have one more class and my internship after spring break. We had a big meeting yesterday about our internship and how we need to act, and working in the British workplace and all that good stuff. They also talked about the portfolio we will need to do for our internship. It seems pretty basic; just a daily log and then a final conclusion as well as examples of things we have done while there. Shouldn't be too difficult as long as I stay on top of it. Only having one class will also be nice.

This blog is primarily for myself (let's not forget that), so I'm going to be honest here. Mom and Dad, just trust me on this one.

I've noticed something very peculiar about studying in London. No one, and I really do mean no one has any motivation to do anything. Finals and papers are just a few hour blip in the radar screen of life here. I was studying with Steve on Tuesday night for our Wednesday final and I actually had to keep him from ADD-ing to travel websites multiple times. Yes, I had to actual try to convince Stephen Henrick that he needed to study more. That's what this semester has done to people. People were starting whatever papers they had hours before they were due, some haven't even started papers that were due days ago. It was finals week, most everyone had two finals ranging in difficulty, and yet I knew very few people who haven't gone out at least once this week. Procrastination is at a maximum. Drunkenness is at it's normal high. And it's weird because you know no one would be acting this way in Boston, but it's just something about London.

I do have to admit that the academic set up is almost made for this. Finals really could not have been easier. I studied, but not for days like in Boston and I probably did better on those finals than the majority I had taken in my life.

This is where indeed that I admit that I went out on Wednesday night a full 36 hours before my final and stayed out much later than I should have. But hey, Allison wanted to and you know she kept begging me even though I was adamant about leaving to get back and get some studying in before sleep, etc etc. You know how it is, friends sometimes, you just can't say no. Anyway, I never would have done that in Boston. Never. For what it's worth, I did start work on my papers quite a while ago (long before the average person) and was able to hand both of them in early. People were astonished at this. For the most part, everyone is getting their stuff done, but decidedly half-assedly. I think part of it is that the weird set up of the semester (We're already 1/2 finished academic wise) gives it this "not real" sheen where it's hard to believe that each class is actually worth a real grade on a real transcript somewhere thousands of miles away. I also know from people that have done other study abroad programs (abroad, not the US) that this is generally the case everywhere. I cannot explain it. Something about this town just screams "HAVE FUN! Work?! Pshhhhh" And I, like others, have a difficult time not heeding the call.

Along with easy academics, part of it is the culture here. I sit here now drinking out of an Evian water bottle (no, i don't buy Evian regularly, it's filled with tap water-- although bottled water is much cheaper here than at home) and the marketing campaign for Evian here is "Detox with Evian." As in, you've obviously had too much to drink, so have some of our water to help you get over it. I don't think you would find this in the US. I know you wouldn't find this in the US. No matter where you go or when you go, you are bound to find crowded pubs and clubs somewhere in this town on any given night. I think it's a creeping European thing here that work just doesn't so much matter. So, basically, I blame French influence here. Thanks a lot France.

But seriously, for all my diligent readers (Dexter, I guess), fear not. I am studying, I am doing work, I am getting things done. As I said, I did really well on my finals, am participatory in class, pay attention, and made sure to write two decent papers of appropriate length. The papers could have been better, but they always could be better. Also, we had to hand our topics in after only a week of class, so my breadth of knowledge on the classes were fairly shallow and at least for the British Political Institutions, I had to pick something we had already discussed which turned out to be a fairly simplistic argument that had likely been done many times before. Oh well, I did my research, reached the word limit, etc and I'm fairly happy with them, especially the one on Energy / Russia for The EU and UK Class.

So yes, I did go out on Wednesday, and had a totally kick ass time. We went to Walkabout, which was having a student night so everything for students was ultra cheap and I spent 4 pounds all night. Allison and I went with 3 girls downstairs but soonish after we got there one didn't feel well so they peaced out and Allison and I stayed. The place was your average club, but they played fun music and since it was student night it was a young crowd which was a good time.
I noticed something funny about myself that I guess Allison will attest to. People (ok guys) have a tendency to come up to me and just start joking around. I don't really do anything (stand there and dance which we all know I'm good at) and multiple times people just come up to me and strike up a conversation about whatever. At one point someone passing by, one guy did something stupid (tripped or something) and looked around and saw I noticed and came over and decided a toast was appropriate.
I also have noticed that whenever I get into a conversation with a British person, they inevitably think I support Bush and the conversation will inevitably devolve (or evolve if you want to be optimistic) into making fun of the way each other talks. Like, literally, in some way or another, this is always a guarantee. It's kind of fun, actually. They seem to think all Americans have a penchant for saying "Word" and "like whatever" and it is one of the best things to see any British guy try to imitate such American phrases. Take my word on this. It is truly hilarious.
I love the accent so much, we can be talking about anything, as long as they just talk. Also, I've said it before and I'll say it again, but accent or not, on average English guys really are just cuter (sorry guys). Especially Detective Dave. Allison will attest.
Oh! Also! I got into a British political conversation with him and damned if I didn't know basically everything. I knew basically everything that was going on in current politics and got major points for supporting the Tories (sorry Gordy, you've just made too many mistakes). So, as much as I will say the academics here could be a little more rigorous, it was clear to me that I have learned quite a bit. It was very nice to be able to hold my own and show off a little bit. I made fun of hm for crazy British politics, and he made fun of me for living in a country that elected Bush twice. He kind of won by default. Poop.

Aaanyway. So yes, good night out. Success on finals. Good week all around.

I also learned that it is not a good idea to talk about how much you hate the coinage here. For you see, all the coins have the Queen's face on them, and insulting the coins is "insulting my Queen." Not a road you want to go down. Lesson learned.

Tomorrow is Munich!! Tuesday is Prague!! I'm quite excited, although it hasn't really hit me yet. Liane and I have done a bunch of planning and we have made sure that our days will be full to the brim with everything we can possibly do in both cities in the time allotted. And be sure I will be eating soft pretzels in less than 48 hours. Yessss!!

I realize that people are going to read this post and be like "What's happened to Katie?" and blame London for various kinds of American corruption, etc etc But rest assured I am tame compared to my compatriots and being safe and well and happy and living in (relative) moderation. And doing it all as cheaply as humanly possible.

That's all that's really gone down since I last wrote I suppose. I have been spending a lot of time studying ( I didn't even go to quiz night this week!), believe it or not, which has put a damper on general observations and leaving my room.

I will obviously be gone until next Saturday, but check back then for what promises to be an update on the best spring break ever!

-Kate

P.S. Oh!!!! I'M GOING TO BERLIN THIS SUMMER!! AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! I COULDN'T BE MORE EXCITED!! :-D :-D :-D