Student Spotlight: Mary Napoleon in England

What’s one challenge you’ve already encountered? How are you navigating it so far?

A challenge that I have encountered is remaining conscious of fees and converted prices, especially when it comes to shopping for necessities. To navigate how to reduce the amount of money spent, I asked locals I meet at cafes and events where they normally shop. I started going to the recommended stores an my grocery bill was almost half the price in the stores they recommended compared to where I was going previously. I also ask where to find reasonably priced hair products that could work for textures similar to mine since I haven’t been seeing too many familiar brands.

What differences (or unexpected similarities) have you noticed between your culture and your host culture?

Unexpectedly, the area of London I live in feels very similar to New York and D.C. Often times I feel like I’m still in the United States. Some cultural differences are that the locals are more stoic in public spaces compared to what I’m used to. I typically smile at strangers or nod if we make eye contact and that seems very uncommon here. Furthermore, the culture of London seems to value both individual and environmental health. The majority of the places I go only have paper bags and straws, or no bag at all. The food quality is fresher and contains significantly less additives such as preservatives. Speaking to locals, I learned that many ingredients found in US adjacent snacks are banned in the UK.

Have you stepped outside of your comfort zone yet? What did that feel like?

I stepped outside of my comfort zone by engaging in conversations with random people in public spaces. While I was still cautious, I feel like it was very beneficial because I was able to learn more about how to maximize my time living in London. I was told what areas to stay away from, and which areas I can’t leave without seeing. I feel like every new interaction was easier. These experiences make me feel more confident in approaching people in ways that could even help me in professional settings.