It’s almost midnight on a Wednesday. I have become a night owl lately from the wave of excitement, nerves, planning, and occasional emotional overload that comes with moving abroad now in just 16 days. 16 days. Less than 3 weeks. 2 days more than exactly 2 weeks.
I have no idea what lies before me. It’s like a nice blend of exhilarating and scary, not terrifying, just… uncomfortable. The goal of these blogs/journal entries of my journey to London is multifaceted.
- Firstly, I need to improve my writing to continue a career in marketing and the only way to learn how to tell better stories is to begin telling the story I know best, my own.
- Second, I had a friend visit Scotland this summer and blog about her experiences. It’s incredible how writing can somehow transport you into the location differently than video. I always thought that video was the best form of media because it encompassed everything, and in many ways, it can. However, after reading her daily journal, I realized my mental image was just as memorable as the YouTube travel diaries I have watched, and the writing allowed me to use my imagination while getting a better idea of how she really felt in each moment.
- Lastly, since my grandfather can’t travel right now (even though he has probably already been everywhere I might go), I want him to know I am making the most of every new experience just like he always reminds me to. I wouldn’t be able to do what I am doing without his support in so many ways.
With less than 3 weeks until I move my entire life in two suitcases to London, I have been feelings every emotion you can imagine. Tonight, all I felt was joy and excitement as I left work to spend as much time with some of my best friends, Bella and Teresa, to play their newfound passion of pickleball. This weekend, I will be supporting my sentence finisher, best friend as she finds the wedding dress of her dreams. That will be so exciting. Stress is a feeling that comes in waves, tsunami waves.
Let me back up a little bit.
Why am I moving to London?
One (late) night in my senior year of undergrad, as I was struggling to get through accounting classes to finish an accounting degree while also attempting 20 hours a week to manage our family business website and run my own clothing business, I decided to do what one does when they are attempting to avoid work for approximately 15 minutes.
I got on TikTok.
The next thing I knew, I was 45 minutes in and binge-watching someone share her experience of moving to London to complete a master’s degree. Seed number one was planted.
Also, after a short tax internship and some self-evaluation, I realized accounting was not my passion, but it was the degree I would soon be graduating with.
At the same time, I was meeting with a marketing professor monthly for help as I marketed my small business as part of my marketing thesis project, He began to ask me some hard questions.
One question in particular at almost every meeting: “Why the heck are you still getting a degree in accounting?” Seriously, we were both a little confused.
From there he challenged me to ask myself what I was doing with my life, what my goals were, what career I really wanted, and what was it going to take to be where I wanted to be. After I suggested my thoughts of pursuing a master’s, he made this WILD suggestion. He asked me why I wasn’t spending my time looking at the top schools in the USA for a marketing master’s or MBA. Why was I not figuring out how to get into Harvard business school or Northwestern University if I really wanted to pursue a master’s in marketing?
To which I replied with a laugh. Seed number two was planted.
My search went from top schools in the USA to top schools in the world, and I ended up extensively researching Imperial College London, #6 based on the QS World University Ranking, and Kings College London, #40. By extensively researching, I mean I have not only read at least half of their website, but I have literally seen every Tiktok and YouTube video on the internet referencing Imperial.
I’m Getting a Master’s at Imperial College London
Long story short, I applied to both schools and found out in January of 2023, while on my Paris study abroad, that I was accepted into IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON! My face after getting the email:
For some reason, my reference letter was never sent to King’s College, so I technically only applied for Imperial. I am still in shock that I was accepted into a school ranking right under Harvard and Standford University globally. Only God.
I have absolutely no idea what this year is going to look like, but I am so ready to know God in the unknown in new ways. I am ecstatic about meeting people from so many cultures and countries. I am nervous but expectant for a great experience learning about all things marketing and innovation at this exceptional university. I am also praying I will have some time to visit other European countries in the midst of the craziness and experience London living like I have always dreamed of.
Let’s go to London!
Thank You for the Honorable mention in your “Just Getting Started” reflections at the beginning of this Blog. You may not realize, but you got started many years ago, and have carried that banner since you were a little girl, visiting the city parks, sliding the slides, swinging and ending up having ice cream at many different locations along with your sister Autumn and often accompanied by Friends. When you think of those times, look them up in the “Cloud” as the memories are captured for posterity. You have always been an achiever and excelled in everything that you have undertaken, and this journey is no exception.
As for your “World” travels, not just Europe but anywhere they take you, we want to hear all about them and what you are doing and where you are going, so we can reflect on the travels that Nana and I have taken when we were younger, both with you girls, and alone as we ourselves traveled the amazing World, making memories. However at this time, it is time, while at Imperial College to invest your time in absorbing all you can, as you have in the past years of schooling (as all of your awards will reflect) as that will last you the rest of your life as you mature into the outstanding woman that you are becoming.
Your Grandmother and I are so excited about what the future holds for you and we know it will be exciting and fruitful and led by GOD, every step of the journey. Always know that we are here to support you in any way we can, if you will only ask. We LOVE you dearly and our daily thoughts of you give us bright spots in every one of our days!
We are always here for you!!!!!!
Thank you!! Miss you here in London!