Nottingham

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I went to the Nottingham City Center (downtown) the yesterday.  It is only a short bus ride away.  The trip is one pound with a student id.  The city center is full of old buildings and winding streets.  Many of the streets are for pedestrians only.  I love old buildings so this was really cool.  I didn’t enter any, just walked about.  There are many stores and restaurants there, can’t wait to try them! The best way to get around is by walking.  Everything is so close you really don’t need a car or taxi to take you anywhere once you’re in the city center.  I still need a phone and some food for my dorm room, to snack on.  There are grocery stores and phone stores all over the place there.  The pound store looks really helpful.  They have food, soap, tooth paste, sweeties (candy), office supplies all for a pound.  I like the old feel of the city center and walking everywhere is cool.  At home I need a car to get anywhere and most things are spread out (except the mall).  However, I do not like being dependent on the bus service to get me somewhere on time.

Campus

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This campus is very different from the one I am attending at home.  At home I am on a very urban campus.  The university is surrounded by the city, and not only the nice parts.  This university is much more open with a few quads.  This campus may be bigger, it sure feels like it (I already have shin splints from the first week).  

The architecture is a mix of neoclassical and modern (old modern and recent modern).  I like old buildings so thats whats here.  

Just Arrived

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I chose to live on campus to simplify the process of housing (or accommodation as they call it in the UK).  It comes with a meal plan which is really nice.  Again, that is to simplify everything.  It would be fun to my cook my favorite food for friends and have them share their favorite food with me but there is no great way to get to a grocery store.  Cabs are too expensive to use often or alone and I’m not sure about the bus route.

Background

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I am a junior studying biomedical engineering.  I am from America and have lived there my entire life.  Traveling around America is wonderful but I have never been outside the borders.  As you may have guessed from the URL, this semester I have chosen to study in the UK.  This space is to keep track of what I experience and see while abroad.  It also serves to let my friends and family follow my travels and daily life in the UK, and to help future student learn from my experience.