Miranda Huston is a student at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and an ISA Featured Blogger. Miranda studied with ISA in Reading, England.
- The Town Center
The center of Reading is the perfect mixture of classic and contemporary. An abundance of shops lie right along the main road, probably too many shops as far as my wallet is concerned. The other side of The Oracle, the town’s primary mall, is lined with great eats from Wagamama Japanese restaurant to The Handmade Burger co. Not to mention this entire area is lit with twinkle lights each night, giving a warm, inviting feeling to all.
- An English Autumn
Some may want the blistering sun of an Arizona sky but all I need is leaves at my feet and mist on my cheek. Reading in the autumn is like stepping inside the world of Anne of Green Gables. The trees are vibrant, there is a chill in the air and you feel proud to show off each and every fashionable scarf you own. 3,000 miles from the United States is worth it, if only to experience one moment of an English autumn.
- London’s Faithful Friend
London is a vast, terrifying, wonderful city. But living there for a semester may be overwhelming. I sure felt that way when choosing where to spend my three months abroad. Then came Reading and all made sense. London is a short train ride away. You get a taste of big city living without being thrown into the trenches of it straight away. Reading feels like a retreat after a day out exploring the streets of London town.
- Class Size
Sure, to be honest, the last thing on my mind when preparing to come abroad was actual schoolwork. I had wide-eyed visions of Big Ben and the Queen asking me to be her personal pastry chef. Then reality set in and real life led me to small, friendly classes that made me feel a part of the discussion and allowed me to share my opinions. Having your voice be heard is a powerful feeling, especially when it’s a topic you’re passionate about.
- The People
Never have I had such a close, strong connection with a group of people in such a short amount of time. The students in my ISA group are my comrades and my buddies. I was having a realization the other day that I cannot quite place when our friendships began, when we really connected, as if we were always friends. Here in Reading, I have been fortunate enough to meet people that I hope will stay in my life forever, or at least always near my heart.
Want to read more from Miranda? Check out “5 Questions to Ask Before Studying Abroad”