During my semester at Oxford, I spent 113 days away from home, traveled 13,625 miles by plane (32 hours and 25 minutes spent in the air), 5,456 miles by bus/car, 453 miles by train and 160 miles by ferry boat. I went to over 30 cities in Europe, saw 18 World Heritage Sites, went to 13 airports, 12 hostels, 9 countries, saw one wonder of the world, walked an uncountable number of miles, met hundreds of people and made so many friends from all over the world.
I have learned so much and don’t regret anything I did (even the amount of money I spent). I am so sad to go home but know it is time.
I loved my semester at Oxford Brookes University and would highly recommend it to anyone. I learned so much inside and outside of the classroom. I am going to miss all of my friends that I made and cherish the many, many memories that were made this past semester. I know this will not be the end of my travels and in fact they are only the beginning.
This experience has opened my eyes to different countries and cultures, pushed me outside of my comfort zone, and taught me how much I can do if I truly have the desire. I know the world has so much to offer, and I have so much to see. Oxford Brookes was like a second home to me, and I will never forget this amazing experience I was so lucky to have.
The top left is in Paris touching the top of the Louvre. Top right is in Barcelona, Spain, at Parc Guell. Left middle is a fellow Brookes student, Jill Rouse from Boston, Audrey Davis, student at MSU, and myself kayaking through sea caves in Lagos, Portugal. Bottom left is in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Bottom right is in Glencoe, Scotland.
Thank you for reading,
Andrea Welker
“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”- Anonymous