Jet lag, new friendships, and learning how to feel at home in London
By: Zorianna Starks
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my first couple of days in London, it’s this: a five-hour time difference will absolutely humble you.
My sleep schedule is currently hanging on by a thread. Back in Tallahassee, my body would normally be getting ready for bed, but here I am walking around London trying to convince myself I’m not tired while surviving on excitement and iced coffee. Still, even with the jet lag, being here already feels surreal in the best way possible.
I officially arrived for my summer study abroad experience through CIEE, and it still hasn’t fully hit me that I’m actually living in another country right now. Since getting here, I’ve already met some really amazing people from different places and backgrounds. Personally, I’ve noticed that I naturally try to stay open-minded in new situations. Even when I’m tired or overwhelmed, I push myself to talk to people, adjust, and just figure things out as I go. That habit has already helped me feel way less out of place.
Apparently, I also have a “Florida accent,” which I did NOT know was a thing until now. I’ve also gotten compliments on my hair and outfits, which honestly makes it easier to feel confident in a brand-new environment where everything feels unfamiliar.
So far, I’ve realized that adjusting to a new place is a mix of excitement and awkwardness at the same time. One minute, I feel independent and like I’ve got it together, and the next, I’m standing at a crosswalk trying to figure out which way to look while almost getting taken out by a bike(I almost got ran over three times somehow😭). But even in those moments, I’m learning to stay calm, laugh it off, and keep moving instead of stressing.
I’ve also started building small routines here, like figuring out where I can grab food, learning the area around my housing, and getting used to hearing accents everywhere. Fun fact: did you know there are over 300 languages spoken here? I didn’t. Something I’ve been trying to do more intentionally is slow down and actually observe what’s around me instead of rushing through everything. Back home, I feel like life is always go-go-go, but here I’ve been practicing just being present, even in small moments.
In our study abroad group, I’ve noticed that kindness and connection matter a lot when everyone is far from home. Everyone here is adjusting in their own way, so I try to be intentional about little things like checking in on people, starting conversations, or inviting others to explore. Those small habits actually make a big difference, because it helps turn strangers into people you feel comfortable around pretty quickly. I’ve already started forming friendships with people I probably never would’ve met if I stayed in my usual comfort zone, and that’s been one of the best parts so far.
With the people I’ve met here, I’ve noticed how quickly connections build when everyone is open and in the same new environment. Even small conversations or shared experiences end up meaning a lot more than they would back home.
As someone majoring in Psychology, I naturally pay attention to how people act and how environments shape behavior. Being in London has already made me think more about culture, communication, and how differently people live their everyday lives. It’s actually kind of eye-opening realizing there isn’t one “normal” way to exist. That perspective is something I know I’m going to carry with me long after this program ends.
On a global level, I’ve noticed that experiences like this matter more than people think. Traveling and meeting people from different backgrounds helps break stereotypes and makes it easier to understand people instead of judging them based on assumptions. The more open you are to learning from others, the more you realize how connected everyone actually is, even if we come from totally different places.
Right now, I’m still adjusting. My sleep schedule is confused, I still look the wrong way before crossing the street, and I’m definitely surviving off snacks a little longer than I should be. But even in just a short time, I can already tell that the way I think, act, and connect with people is changing in small ways every day.
And honestly, that’s kind of the whole point. Until my next post, enjoy a few of my touristy photos and videos!✌🏽
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