My time in Leeds was peaceful in a way I did not anticipate but fully welcomed. Partially, this was due to a relaxed course load – this was the final semester of my degree and I had fewer credits to complete than usual. However, I believe that the serenity could also largely be attributed to my decision to actively refrain from planning every day of my time there. Often when traveling I find that I put so much emphasis on seeing everything that I have little time to myself between scheduled adventures. For this semester abroad I decided to consciously pursue a different strategy to exploring my surroundings. Rather than multi-page itineraries, I took to wandering organically by picking a new direction or route to walk every week and veering based on whatever interesting feature that caught my eye. I also took to enjoying a relaxed morning routine (on days I wasn’t traveling) which added to the sense of calm that permeated my trip. I like to start my days early so I would leave my dorm to get breakfast at the dining hall by 8:00. I generally took my breakfast in a sunny corner nook of the cafeteria where I could read while eating my toast. I then hopped over to my coffee shop, Hugo’s, a converted van turned espresso bar. I was a daily customer and got to know all of the lovely women who worked there to the point where they would share their schedules (so I’d know who I’d get to see each week) and show off their latest craft projects with me. From Hugo’s I would take my flat white to Hyde Park where I would wander while admiring the gardens and listening to podcasts (mostly Ologies but occasionally Critical Role – a guilty pleasure).

Aside from my studies and general campus life I was also able to explore some of England and Scotland. Some of my favorite places in England were York and Scarborough. York was lovely to meander through, the riverfront, the historic gardens behind the art museum, the narrows, and of course the grounds at York Minister all made for gorgeous walks. While it was stunning in the summer I found that I preferred to occupy the city in the colder months. York is home to so many cozy pubs and cafes that were so delightful to pop into for a hot cup of tea before heading back out into the cold. Scarborough was a favorite because it was where I first saw dolphins in England. When at home I rarely go more than a couple of weeks without seeing the ocean and after a long time inland I was excited to get my feet in the sand (much to the horror of my English counterparts, but growing up in the PNW has made me fairly resistant to cool waters). I had just succeeded in wading in and was busy hunting for fossils – a hunt that sadly failed spectactarly- when I noticed irregular movement past the distant waves, it was a pod of dolphins frolicking past the breakers. That was a spectacular trip for more reasons than just the dolphins but they certainly were a highlight. Outside of England I also made it out to Edinburgh and Stirling Scotland. Edinburgh was a particular treat with all of its independent bookstores and stunning architecture. Stirling was much quieter but was filled with historic buildings and lovely cafes. Overall, this semester abroad helped me not just to complete my degree and explore a new country but it also taught me a lot about being present and investing myself in the moment at hand rather than planning the moments of the future.