End of Semester One

I can't believe how fast my first semester at LSE went by! It was a whirlwind of adjusting to life in London, meeting new friends, and a lot of learning. I had a full course-load in classes ranging from Global Health to Population Data Analysis to French. I felt very well prepared after having just completed my BA in Public Health where I gained an overview of the subjects I went more in depth with this semester. I am grateful for my time at Elon that set me up so well for this challenge! I am loving being able to study my favorite parts of undergrad (Global Health) every day during this program. Next semester one of my classes is Sexual and Reproductive Health Intervention and Evaluation which is definitely something I am looking forward to studying as it is one of the topics within maternal and child health that is most interesting to me. 

London is exactly where I feel like I need to be in this season of life. During my free time, I have enjoyed exploring East London's coffee shops, farmer's markets (I have found some of the best cheese, smoked salmon, and bread in the world!), and charming streets. I have absolutely mastered the Tube system and can answer confidently when I am asked for direction which makes me feel like I am no longer a tourist. Another highlight is the ability to travel around Europe so easily, which is something I have always wanted to do. I am so lucky to have found some super adventurous friends who are just as excited about traveling as I am; we have some very exciting trips planned this spring to Seville and Prague! 

I would not be here without Rotary and the generosity of this organization is never lost on me! I cannot believe I am actually getting to complete my master's degree in the field I am so passionate about in a city I love. The interconnectedness of Rotary Clubs around the world and the steadfast dedication to the mission of the organization is consistently inspiring to me. I am so happy to be a part of this network. 

I have included a few pictures from the end of my semester. Londoners start celebrating the holiday season earlier than Americans because they don't have Thanksgiving, so I had a lot of time to explore the light displays and Christmas markets, which made the city even more beautiful. My mother was able to come visit over Thanksgiving and cooked a turkey and all the fixings for us and my American friends. We were all so grateful to spend that time together and have that taste of home as we finished up our semester. 

My friends and I went ice skating 

at Sommerset House

It started getting dark very early but campus 
was still beautiful! 


                                                                                   

 

 

The night before I left London for the holidays 
I got to witness the heaviest snow they have seen 
in 12 years. It was so beautiful and fun to see
the city so excited about it even if it did cause 
travel issues!