Anisha Gianchandani – Page 2 – GW Blogs from Abroad

Learning to Learn Differently

AdminMarch 11, 2014December 14, 2018

My trip to Paris to visit my best friend last weekend was absolutely amazing. We ate the most incredible food (Nutella crepes? Check. Three course fondue? Check.) and visited all the major sites like Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and the Locks of Love Bridge.

As soon as I got back from Paris, I set to work on my two major essays due this coming week. I decided to start with my politics essay about the EU because it seemed the most threatening. As I realized that this assignment is a legitimate research paper, I started to get stressed. It’s understandable - I’ve never had anything graded in this country before.

At GW, I know what to expect and how much effort I need to put in to get my desired grade on the assignment. Obviously I have written essays of this level of difficulty before, but I just don’t know how my work will be assessed. I went to my professor’s office hours and explained my apprehension, and she was extremely helpful. She told me not to worry too much about it and to just keep my arguments clear and back them up with evidence. I’m sticking to that plan, and hopefully it will pay off.

Ironically, my fear of being assessed in another country is broadening my perspective on the international academic system. My classes here at the University of Bristol have been intellectually stimulating and relevant to my studies back home. I’m so glad I took the European Union class because I’ve been able to get an insider’s perspective to how the UK views the EU. I never quite understood the extent of Euroskepticism that exists in this country before coming here. The academic challenges I’ve faced in Bristol thus far have undoubtedly been worth it – I’m learning more and expanding my worldview one day at a time!

Until next time –

Xx, Anisha

Slow Down

AdminFebruary 25, 2014December 14, 2018

By anishag22

"What most excites you about going abroad?"

That was one of the most frequent questions I received from friends and family back home before I began this adventure. Every time, my response was the same: "I'm really looking forward to having a slower pace of life in Bristol. A less stressful semester is exactly what I need right now."

I was pretty sure then that Bristol would afford me a slower pace, but now I know for certain that it's true.

One example of this that I've recently noticed is the difference between my peers at GW and Bristol when lecture concludes. At GW, we don't wait for the professor to finish speaking before we start packing up our things. At the exact minute on the dot that lecture is supposed to end (and often one to two minutes prior), we will loudly zip and close our belongings, giving the professor the not-so-subtle hint that they need to wrap it up. Don't they know that we have places to be and things to do? We can't afford that extra two minutes of lecture.

In Bristol, that never happens. No one packs away their laptops and notebooks before getting the classic green light: "Thanks for today everyone, see you next week." In fact, even once we do start to pack up, we are courteous enough to wait for the people in front of us in our lecture row to finish packing before leaving the room. It's an orderly queue that is rooted in respect and patience, and it's something that I was initially thrown off by.

But it makes sense. GW students are constantly on the go, as is D.C. in general. We have countless commitments and responsibilities because we are always pushing ourselves to be more productive. GW students wear many caps: the student, the club member, the athlete, the intern, the future Congressman or Congresswoman or President of the United States.

Bristol is a lively city, but the energy here is much different. It's okay to take a few days off, and it's okay to relax. Administrative tasks for university staff that would be completed in less than an hour at GW have proven to take multiple days if not weeks at the University of Bristol. But I'm okay with that, because for the first time in a long time I have been able to take it easy and enjoy more of a balance between my personal and professional/educational career. Don't get me wrong - I'm still focused on my schoolwork, but I'm learning to value the little things and the relationships I forge here, and for that I know I will be forever grateful.

Until next time-

Xx, Anisha

Pop Culture Abroad

AdminFebruary 20, 2014December 14, 2018

By anishag22

Tomorrow marks my one month since arriving in England. As I'm finally starting to settle into more of a routine with my classes, I thought I would discuss one particular class that keeps me thinking about US/UK cultural differences every time I leave. My intro-level class called "Sacred Scripture and Popular Culture" examines the relationship and intersection between religion and pop culture, and it couldn't be more interesting. We've already watched clips from films like "The Passion of the Christ" and "Ben-Hur," but what I find most intriguing about this class is the fact that almost every single pop culture reference is American. And surprisingly, my British peers seem to be familiar with all of it.

It's hard to explain how it feels to be the only American in the classroom as the professor makes comments like, "In America, gun control is a big issue.." or "How many of you have American friends on Facebook?" The fact of the matter is that American pop culture is British pop culture, and I never realized that before coming to England. As I sit in that class, I feel like some sort of expert on American pop culture topics (and yes, the professor has consulted me about various topics mid-lecture).

In my time in Bristol, I've realized that American pop culture has not only "hopped across the pond," but has truly become another facet of British culture. Every movie that my British flatmates watch when we're hanging out is American. Their favorite singer? Likely Beyonce or Katy Perry. Several times, I have thought to myself: "British pop culture is non-existent." To be honest, these copious American pop culture references have made me feel more patriotic and American than I've ever felt in my life.

It will be interesting to trace my personal journey and American self-identification through the course of this particular class. I wonder if, by June, I'll feel differently about British pop culture. In the meantime, I'm enjoying learning more about England through not only cultural differences, but similarities.

Until next time -

Xx, Anisha

Day Trips

AdminFebruary 12, 2014December 14, 2018

By anishag22

Yesterday, my American friends and I went on our first day trip (to Bath, England) - a 12 minute train ride from Bristol that costed only seven pounds round trip. Bath was absolutely lovely and charming, and I couldn't believe that such an amazing city was located so nearby. It made me wonder why study abroad students don't do day trips more often. Don't get me wrong, I have my fair share of weekend trips outside of England booked, but in Bath I realized that there is so much to do and see right in the country you live in!

The "16-25 railcard" offers young people train tickets throughout Great Britain at prices reduced by 1/3. Europe's rail system is so fast, efficient and affordable that in my book ,there is no reason not to take advantage of deals like this! Even if I never left Great Britain over the next four months, I could have an amazing time exploring all of the unique cultural and historical sites in different cities.

My friends and I now want to plan more day trips for the coming weekends, and we couldn't be more excited to see what else England has to offer (We're currently eyeing an Oxford trip). Traveling when you're abroad doesn't have to be insanely expensive if you plan smart and discover the sites nearby. Day trips mean no hostel costs and no hassle, so it's truly worth it to do some local exploring!

Until next time,

Xx, Anisha

A New Home

AdminFebruary 11, 2014December 14, 2018

By anishag22

After two weeks abroad, I'm finally starting to settle in to my new home. A few posts ago, I told you all about how culture shocked I was upon arrival, but now things are beginning to feel much more normal. One thing I never thought about before coming abroad was the fact that I was coming to a new school halfway through the academic year. It never crossed my mind that British students here at Bristol would have already made friendships and connections from the previous semester.

Once I came to Bristol, my "newbie" status was very apparent. Lucky for me, my new flatmates could not have been more welcoming and inclusive. I truly feel so appreciative of the fact that my flatmates have gone out of their way to get to know me and spend time together. In a short time, they have taught me so much about British culture, and I love telling them about the way of life back home. Some of their American stereotypes are funny, some are true, but regardless it has been such a treat to be able to share American customs with my new English friends as I assimilate into their culture and way of life. As compared to London, people in Bristol have not met as many Americans, so it's always interesting to see their reactions when I tell them where I'm from. Choosing to study abroad in a smaller city in England was definitely the right choice for me because I have been able to see what this country is really like - I'm no longer asserting my "Americanness" abroad, but really finding ways to appreciate and understand this new country and culture. I'm looking forward to continuing this immersion process and getting to know Bristol even better in the coming weeks and months.

Until next time -

Xx, Anisha

Procrastination Nation

AdminFebruary 4, 2014December 14, 2018

By anishag22

Let's face it: Practically every college student is, in some way/shape/form, a procrastinator. We just vary in intensity (Putting off that paper until 2 days before the deadline, or 2 hours?). I'd classify myself as a medium to severe procrastinator - I often need that "jolt" of energy and an anxiety rush that only deadline pressure can give me. At GW, I feel that "rush" quite often - I'm in a semi-constant state of pressure and stress due to schoolwork along with all my other extracurricular commitments.

This semester, however, I will have a very different course structure. Goodbye to the weekly quizzes, biweekly tests, and even midterms. Hello to one final paper/exam that counts for 100% of your grade.

For a light or moderate procrastinator, this might not be an issue. But I'm starting to think that it could be a challenge for someone like me.

In the UK, there is a strong emphasis on independent study. You aren't given a syllabus that assigns specific reading per night, but rather a long list of books to consider which you are to individually choose from based on perceived relevance. You don't have 10 or 20 assignments that comprise your final grade, but instead usually one. UK students are expected to keep up with the coursework independently and do background research on the course topic.

With only one assessment that actually counts towards my grade, I'm not quite sure how I will get myself to be productive. Deadline pressure has just become normalized for us back home. I've thought about putting together my own syllabus that gives me self-imposed deadlines as a way to keep up.

Whatever the remedy, I'm sure it will all be fine in the end. Part of adapting to a new culture and country during study abroad is adapting to the academic system as well. Here's to self-imposed deadline pressure in the name of academic success!

Until next time -

Xx, Anisha

Shock Waves

AdminJanuary 31, 2014December 14, 2018

By anishag22

Hopping "across the pond" to England was thrilling, nerve-wracking and surreal, but this past week has been even crazier. I flew into London Heathrow where my program held a four-day orientation during which we were put up in a nice hotel and given plenty of free time to explore the city. Although I was concerned I would be the only student going to Bristol, I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered I would be one of seven girls headed there. The girls and I had a fabulous time galavanting through London and being typical American tourists before finally boarding our coach to Bristol on Wednesday. When we arrived in Bristol, I was incredibly nervous because it felt like freshman year all over again - new school, new dorm, new people and a new city I was completely unfamiliar with. The nervousness subsided, but what didn't was the culture shock.

Every student who decides to study abroad has been warned of culture shock - the various stages, the normalcy of it all. But I have to say that for some reason it just never quite clicked in my brain that I could experience it as deeply as I did my first few days in Bristol. As soon as we left London, the reality set in. Here at the University of Bristol I am living with 10 other girls on a floor, and they are all British. Granted, that's what I wanted from this abroad experience, but the cultural differences basically slapped me in the face upon arrival. Yes, they speak English, but I'm telling you it's not the same. I sometimes have trouble understanding their accents, and what's more there are probably thousands of British slang terms that I am completely unfamiliar with. Then there's the fact that I sometimes feel like Bristol is existing in a previous era. There are no trash chutes in my dorm, no garbage disposal in the kitchen, and no elevator to get me to the fifth floor (I know this sounds whiny but I'm honestly panting by the time I get to my floor). British fashion is also quite strange, like what's with all the Converse and hair scrunchies? The fact that I felt culture shock surprised me, and looking back now I'm not quite sure why I thought it simply wouldn't happen to me.

Despite the initial shock, the past few days have been a lot better - I like to believe that this is just an "adjustment period," and my American friends on my program and I are all experiencing the same thing together. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving Bristol, but being the minority within a majority culture is just harder than I thought it would be. It's also made me think differently about what the international students at GW must feel like, and now I know why many of them tend to stick by friends from their home country.

This is only week one for me, so I am optimistic about my assimilation process here in Bristol. The city is absolutely stunning and so quaint and charming - I definitely like it better than London, so I know I made the right decision. Becoming one with the Brits was a goal I set for myself for this study abroad experience because I have found that when I push myself out of my comfort zone, the best things happen. I could have chosen a bigger city with more Americans, but that's just too familiar for my taste. Here's to becoming a true Bristolian in the coming months!

Until next time -

Xx, Anisha