As an English student focussed on Victorian and Modernist literature, studying in London has always been a dream of mine. Continue reading “Better than fiction – Daniel Erasmus”
Width vs Depth – Daniel Erasmus
In the US, I major in English and Economics. I count myself lucky to have experienced the liberal arts system, which has allowed me to explore all my academic interests. However, in coming to King’s, I suspected that width could potentially come at the cost of depth. While British undergraduate degrees seem to have less scope than their American counterparts, I believed they would allow for more thorough analysis and include modules set in a deeper
context within their respective fields. With this in mind, I wanted my time at King’s to supplement the range of my liberal arts training with new academic rigor. Continue reading “Width vs Depth – Daniel Erasmus”
Study Abroad 2.0 – Daniel Erasmus
In 2016, I decided to study in New York City – on a campus I had never visited in a country I had only visited once before. Continue reading “Study Abroad 2.0 – Daniel Erasmus”
The Art of Greeting in an international City – Maria Clara Cobo Ordonez
I can still remember walking into the Pub Social during orientation and being penetrated by puzzled glances of horror when I greeted a group of students. They fell victims to the tricky social tradition that none but very few have mastered: the kiss greeting.
In Latin America, greeting someone you’ve just met with a kiss is as normal as any other gesture, shared among family members, friends and even strangers. Just like a handshake or a hug, cheek kissing has the innocent intention of conveying friendship. But no matter what it means in my culture, it can easily be misinterpreted when given to people who are strangers to the practice.
That night at the pub, I violated the unspoken cultural law of personal space— and I was mortified.
However, how I respond to a cultural mistake might matter even more than the fact that I messed up. Before panicking, I explained the nature of my action, and used it as a chance to introduce myself and where I’m from. This sparked a conversation that jumped from continent to continent, learning about different traditions and laughing at mistakes that others made that week.
All the diversity in our world is what makes it so fascinating. Taking the time to discuss others’ traditions reflected my intention to show respect for different cultures and give others the chance to learn about my own. That moment, all our differences, while they didn’t exactly vanish, seemed not nearly as important as everything that united us.
Why Study Abroad at King’s? – Maria Clara Cobo Ordonez
As an international student in Boston, people often asked me why I wanted to go to another country for a semester if I was already abroad. And although I knew there was a reason for me wanting to do so, I couldn’t quite put a finger on it. So five months ago I packed my belongings and my spirit of adventure into one suitcase, and came to study in London. During this time, I have found so many reasons for wanting to come to King’s College. Continue reading “Why Study Abroad at King’s? – Maria Clara Cobo Ordonez”