Adventures of an English Major

Aprille Rose Cariaga
University of Birmingham, England

This past semester I studied abroad at the University of Birmingham in England, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Studying abroad is something I had always wanted to do since I was a child and being able to do so was a dream come true. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a passion for English literature. Getting lost in the words of various authors, such as Jane Austen, William Wordsworth, William Shakespeare, and many more, is something I truly enjoy. So when the opportunity of studying abroad came to me, I didn’t have to think twice. I was a little nervous at first when I found out I would be the first person from UH Hilo to be studying abroad at the University of Birmingham and that I would be by myself, but once I arrived in England and started getting used to my new environment, I really enjoyed my time there. I learned a lot about myself and my passion for learning about other cultures around the world.

Throughout my time in England, I’ve had many memorable moments, and it’s hard to pick out my favorite. What I have enjoyed the most about my experience is getting to know different people from around the world and being able to explore the UK with my friends. The best part about being in Birmingham is that it is located in the center, and you can go anywhere in the UK through Birmingham’s main train station. I’ve been to numerous cities in three different countries during my stay here in England and have had many great adventures along the way. I also loved being able to visit some of the homes of my favorite English authors and was able to see for myself the different places that inspired each author. I took a tour of William Shakespeare’s house and walked in the garden that inspired Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and I will never forget my experience of being able to study in England, the birthplace of English Literature.