Being home...

Though I did not stick to my promise in my previous post about follow-up posts reflecting on my last few weeks in Los Angeles, I can share some further details almost 4 months on since I left the city. 

My final few weeks in Los Angeles followed the same patterns as previous, entailing a lot of fun, hard work and spending good time with great friends. As my time at UCLA came to a close and my final examinations were fast approaching, I made sure I experienced a number of last minute things with my friends so that I felt fulfilled when I stepped foot off US soil. Without providing too much detail, I spent time both in Huntington, Orange County and in Pasadena, two places relatively close to Los Angeles. Whilst in Orange County I was exposed to some fantastic beaches and views that rank highly with some of the other spectacular views I was fortunate to see during my year. In Pasadena, I was spoilt by great company and was enchanted by the quirkiness of the town. 

It became apparent to me today that there were a lot more viewers and followers of this blog than I ever imagined or anticipated, I therefore felt it was just that I provided an update on my last few weeks, my current position and how I feel a few months on now that my final year at UCL is well underway. 

On returning, I found the first 10 days tough, though elated to see family and friends whom I had missed much, I didn't know exactly what to do with myself. It became quickly apparent that L.A. though very real, immersed me in a dream-like state which was difficult to detach from. I suppose one could call it holiday blues, though my time in Los Angeles was far more than a holiday and to this day still bears very strong significance. 

In fact, I am reminded of my time there at least twice a week. I am currently working for the University of California at their London Study Centre, dealing with US students that decided they wanted to take the plunge and immerse themselves into a new experience for a year. The air in my office (joined by two other colleagues whom had participated in the exchange at some point) is permanently filled with nostalgia, with reflections and story telling a significant part of the job! It is without doubt that my time in Los Angeles set me up perfectly for this part-time job, and it is fulfilling being able to assist students much like colleagues in Los Angeles assisted me. To top it all off, this weekend is the 50th Anniversary Gala celebrating 50 years of University of California's relations with UK institutions. The event is due to host over 150 guests both from California and London each with their unique experiences or role in creating such experiences, it is going to be a fabulous event and I'm very excited.

Academically, things are continuing to move smoothly (though some issues with dissertation choice and execution are yet to be ironed out). The strong results I attained from this blog has set me up well for this fourth and final year where completing my degree with a 1st is more than possible.

To conclude this post, I would firstly like to express my appreciation for everyone that made this year abroad possible both stateside and at home, I know some were burdened more than others but nonetheless everyone knows who they are.  Secondly, I would like to highlight that I wish to continue my strong relations with University of California and I hope to return there in the future. Thirdly, I will post on this blog from time to time with pictures/videos that encapsulated my experience, but ultimately will move onto a new blog for this academic year to keep this one exclusively about my year abroad (I will post a link to my new personal blog if anyone is interested in the coming weeks). Fourthly, I have two ongoing academic blogs if the more academic aspects of my posts interest you (http://conflictorcooperation.blogspot.co.uk - based on the issues surrounding transboundary water resources & http://thefuturefortropicalfish.blogspot.co.uk - looking at climate change and the response/fate for tropical species)

Lastly, I miss LA! here is a picture of me and Sarah (another year abroad student) devouring one of the best things in California..... in-n-out. (no cliché intended)