I'm going to use this entry as more as a response to being in London so far and how I've felt being here.

My first impressions of London almost 4 weeks ago was exciting but almost disappointing. Looking back at my first entry, I mentioned how similar London looked and seemed like America. I felt like I could be walking around in any old American city. Now, I've definitely seen a change in the way I see the city. It's beautiful and old, and every section of it is different. The theater district is amazing, with its dozens of theaters amongst Leicester Square. The South Bank area is trendy and hip, I love the relaxed feel of the people and atmosphere in this section. South Kensington seems a bit older and more residential, it gives a more affluent, traditional vibe when I walk through it. Camdentown is edgy, and many people refer to it as "goth central". Picadilly is the heart of the city in my opinion, with bright lights flashing like Times Square and crowded streets every night. Holborn, my home area, is filled with what America would call "mom and pop shops". The cafes in this area are quaint and are run by families; its been nice to go to these places every day and begin to make connections with the locals, even just someone asking me how my day is going has really made Holborn feel like home. I've really come to appreciate all the different neighborhoods of London and even though I feel comfortable here like it is my home, it is DEFINITELY different than America.

The relationship between the U.S. and England is strong, thank goodness. While some people I've met have made some jokes about "dumb Americans", more often than not the people I meet are excited to meet an American. It feels strange to me sometimes when they get all excited to meet me because I'm like "I promise you I'm not that great". They want to talk to me and ask me about my life but I always feel like I should be interesting than what I really am. "I'm 20, I go to school in Boston, thats about it." To me, young Europeans have such a more exciting lifestyle. I've noticed much of the students I've met at LSE or any other Europeans are more independent and free-spirited than American students. They've been traveling all around Europe on their own for years, have their own flats, moved out of their parents' home at a young age, etc. I'm not sure if I discouraged they're view of Americans by saying we're boring, I really hope that isn't the case!

I know it'd feel a lot different being an American in another country. I feel comfortable in London because of the common language, the common fashion sense, and the common values. I'm not sure if I would feel so comfortable in a country thats much more different than the U.S.