Tales of Whitby and Life at York St. John

Greetings all!

I hope this post finds you all well! I've had an exciting week and weekend since I last wrote. Life here has become easier as each day passes, and I've met many friendly people and learned my way around York and YSJ campus a little more. I am settled in an all-female apartment, I have my York id card, and I should be well supplied with food and other necessities for the next week.

On Saturday, September 26 I went on a trip to Whitby, England. Whitby is a quint little village on England's eastern coast. From the tallest hill in Whitby you can see the whole village with its many colorful rooftops and chimneys, the harbor opening towards the North Sea, and the ships traveling up the River Esk. My favorite place was at the very top of the tallest hill, Whitby Abbey. We explored the ruins of the Abbey built in the 1100s, but there had been a number of religious building on the same hill dating back to 657 AD. It was incredible to stand in the section where the sanctuary would have been, and imagine what it must have been like to worship there. One thinks of angelic choirs, monks' chants, and humble villagers filing in through the great front doors. We were blessed with beautiful weather, so we were able to see the ruins very well, and take some excellent pictures.

From the hill where the Abbey was, you can look out on the North Sea. The coastline was very beautiful and there were a number of sail boats and ships on the water. After a lunch of fish and chips, my group made our way down to the shore. I knew it would be quite cold, but I had remove my shoes and brave the icy waters of the North Sea! Even though I couldn't feel my feet after about 5 seconds, it meant a lot to be able to say that I stood in the North Sea. My grandfather was a navigator on a B17 in World War II and was stationed at Thorpe Abbott Airfield in England. He once spent 40 hours on the water in a small raft when their plane had to ditch in the North Sea after flying a mission to Berlin, Germany.

I really enjoyed my day in Whitby. I've been able to get a little more familiar with the city of York through various shopping trips. I'll do most of my grocery shopping at a store called Morrisons, which is about a 15 minute walk from where I live. If I have a large amount of groceries it is not difficult or expensive to get a cap to drive me back.

I had my first class on Tuesday from 1:00-3:00. It is a history course entitles Communities in Conflict. The class will focus on the First English Civil War which took place from 1642-1646. There are about 40 students in the class, but I feel like the tutor (or professor) will be able to offer help to individuals if needed. I am looking forward to learning a bit more about this part of English history because I am not very familiar with this war. I know that it was very significant because Charles I was beheaded after a series of Civil Wars, and his execution represents the first time that the British monarchy was abandoned. The other courses I am taking are Christian Ethics and Early Victorian England. Christian Ethics will transfer as a 300 level theology course, and I am very excited to study theology in a mostly Anglican context. It should be very enlightening! The class I am looking forward to the most is Early Victorian England because I have always loved learning about English culture during the reign of Queen Victoria. I am particularly interested in the literature and poetry from this time period (1837-1901).

Well, it's getting rather late here and I should get to bed. I will try to write more often over the next few weeks because there really is so much to tell! I would appreciate prayers for Maggie, Rachel, and me as we go to our classes for the first time, and begin learning what is expected of us as far a course work is concerned. Also for our continued search for Christian fellowship at the University, and in the city of York. Thank you so much for your prayers, and thanks for reading!

Until next time! Cheers!

Cheers Everyone!

Salutations!

Well, I'm finally here! The flights went well, and I was able to get through customs without any problems. Our program director, Edith, met us outside the customs area and took us to pick up out luggage. She was kind enough to let us rest for an hour in her hotel room, which was connected to the airport. After that we went to the bus station where we met about 40 other international students that would also be studying at York St. John. There are a lot of students from the east coast (New York, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts) and a large number are from China. There are students from Norway, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Japan, Greece, Spain, France, Sri Lanka, and many more countries that I can't think of at the moment...

I was a little scared when I first got off the bus at the University. Everything is brick or concrete and it was sort of cloudy which made everything darker... But in the daylight the campus is quite pretty. I'm starting to appreciate the older feel of some of the buildings and there is quite a bit of grass if you go looking for it. My first night was a little overwhelming. I brought my suitcases to my room in an apartment which is part of student housing. I quickly discovered that I had two female and two male apartment mates. Coed housing is apparently the "norm" over here, but I had requested an all female apartment. Everyone in my flat has been very friendly and understanding about the situation, but I'm still hoping to get moved over the next few days. I'll keep you updated about that.

The first couple days were hard because I was jet lagged and nothing about York was familiar to me at all. But there have been a couple events put on by the university that have been really fun! A group called "Global Friends" is student lead and has really reached out to all of the international students. They put on an event last night where there was food and conversation aplenty! I am getting to know students from Canada, Norway, Germany, Greece, China, England, as well as my fellow Americans ;) I got the chance to have dinner with about five international students, and we had some really good conversations about politics, world history, and God (who has been my biggest help and support through everything).

Today I went to two short presentations where I was given general information about what history "modules" (or courses) are like at YSJ (York St. John). That information will be very helpful when I go to my first class on Tuesday the 29th. This afternoon Rachel, Maggie, and I went on a tour that YSJ was putting on of the medieval wall in York. This wall was built because York was used as a fort when Scotland and England were fighting over these lands. (There is still a law here that if you spot a Scot inside the wall after midnight on a Sunday you can shoot him with a crossbow :) Pretty exciting stuff!

After the tour we explored Old York, inside the wall, a little more thoroughly. York really is a beautiful place! There are countless book shops, pubs, restaurants, tea rooms, and other stores to explore. The York Minster remains the tallest building in York. Its majestic presence never ceases to impress. After walking to the "rail" (train) station to learn a bit more about fare and discounts we can receive as students, we found a quaint little tea room called "Bullivant." I had English tea with milk and a scone! It was simply delightful! We shopped around a bit more at "Poundland" (yes, everything in the store is only a pound!) and Morrisons, which is a very nice grocery store in the city center. Altogether, a really wonderful day!

I miss everyone from home and would love to hear from you! Pop me an email or facebook message if you have the time! Otherwise I would appreciate prayer for my living situation, that I would continue to become more comfortable in my environment at YSJ, and that Rachel, Maggie, and I would have safe travel whenever we venture outside of York. Thank you again for reading!

Cheers everyone!

Fasten your seatbelts! It's time for takeoff!

Salutations!
Well, it's finally the big day! I've been busy packing (which is surprisingly difficult...) and making sure everything is in order for my trip. It's been very hard saying goodbye to my friends and family at home and at Hope, but it's helped a lot that everyone has been really supportive and encouraging! Everything is packed snugly in one of my two large suitcases or a carry-on, and I managed to fit most things I wanted, but it should be interesting coming back since I didn't leave much room.... hhmm.
Dad and I are driving to Chicago in the morning and my flight leaves around 2:00 from O'hare. Rachel and I will meet Maggie at JFK in New York City, and the three of us will fly on to Manchester. We're meeting my program director, Edith, at the airport and catching a bus to York!
Summer has been really wonderful, but I am definitely excited finally arrive and begin exploring Europe! I know I'll see some really beautiful places and meet really interesting people. I'll try to post pictures and updates here whenever I get a chance! I would really appreciate prayers for our safe travel, and that our transition is smooth.

Til next time!

Greetings!!!

Salutations!
Welcome to my blog! I thought this would be a fun way for people to keep track of all my adventures in Europe. I will be studying at York St. John University in York England. I'm flying out from Chicago O'hare on September 19, and I'll fly back December 19. My friends Maggie and Rachel will also be attending York St. John and I suspect we will share many exciting ventures! It's still a couple weeks before I leave, but I've started preparing by packing and researching my school, or "uni." I'm very excited to finally arrive and begin getting settled. I am most excited to experience the local culture, and do some traveling in continental Europe. I'll be sure to keep you updated, and keep in touch through email (molly.mead@hope.edu), facebook, and skype!