what we leave behind

I was thinking in the bus going back to campus what I would miss most about Swansea and the UK in general. Here's what I came up with:

• Our Ancient Greek class.
  (I really enjoyed Professor Herrmann, my classmates, and, of course, the topic. I wish I could have continued next semester.)


• Marianne.
  (It usually takes me at least a few months to grow attached to a person [like with Dorinda from Plato's Republic], but Marianne and I discovered a connection the first day we met, which also happened to be right after my orientation in the rush to register for classes. It was particularly welcome after not having connected with anyone during the London pre-sessional. She's leaving for Paris the same day I'm leaving for London and she's invited my family and I to have dinner at her mother's house when we're in France after New Years.)


• 'Cheers!'
  (The seemingly-universal UK expression that means both 'thank you!' and 'you're welcome'. Plus, it's fun to say. You can say it when someone holds a door open for you, when you receive change after paying, when your friend thanks you for treating them to dinner, and in many other circumstances.)


• A more flexible and individual-focused university system.
  (There are certainly aspects where I think US universities do better, but in general, I've come to greatly appreciate the UK university system. There's less focus on lectures and there aren't any general education requirements shoved down your throat. Instead, it's based on what you want to learn and it only takes three years. [Note that by 'flexible', I'm mainly referring to the class schedules and class structure; it's much harder to change your area of study in the UK than in the US.])


• Good and (generally) reliable public transportation.
  (Perhaps I should say 'good in the sense that it's much better than in the US'?)


• Bilingual signs!
  (This one's for Wales only, but even going back up into England for Stonehenge, I missed seeing everything written in both English and Welsh. I never did meet anyone who spoke Welsh, though . . .)


• A warmer climate.
  (No snow in the winter! No freezing cold days! And, despite popular opinion, it doesn't rain that much.)


• Cadbury chocolate!
  (So addictive! My taste for Hershey's has been forever ruined . . .)


• A more relaxed and laid-back atmosphere.
  (This is more true of Swansea than London, but overall, British society seems to be less controversy-prone and on edge than American society, or at least typical northeastern society. [Even in the US, though, mid-western states tend to be more relaxed and trusting than northeastern states, though I realize that I am generalizing.])

There are, of course, things I missed about the US while over here. Aside from friends and family, they're mostly food-related. Like having a peanut butter sandwich with grape jelly and grape juice. And pancakes. And iHop/Bob Evan's/Cracker Barrel. And Mexican food.