On 10 June, we were able to participate in Design Jam, hosted by a London-based design firm. The whole experience was amazing and I can’t wait to go back for day 2.

Team “Yellow Submarine” finalizing our hypothesis and product idea.

But lately, I’ve been really homesick. Not homesick for America (if I could live here I would), but homesick for my family. For some reason, I’ve been feeling isolated from everyone else. I don’t know if it’s because of my personal problems or if I’m just overreacting, but I miss my family and friends back home. If I could fly them all over here, I would be content.

Travelling is such an amazing experience and it can be even more amazing if you do it with the right people. This group of students is amazing and I am so glad to be experiencing this other world with them.

But as with all travel, one starts to feel a bit cut off. I feel most comfortable when I explore places independently; this way, I can keep my own speed without worrying about falling behind. Unfortunately, in the current climate, we are (understandably) required to be with at least 2 other people when we want to go somewhere.

I miss the freedom of being able to go out alone and find inner peace with myself. I miss my mom, dad, bed, cat, and (as much as I don’t want to admit it) all 3 of my younger brothers. I miss that sense of wonder that I experience within myself when I happen upon a new place or thing. I miss being able to enjoy and photograph a walk in the country’s biggest garden without stressing out because half the group is half a kilometer ahead.

I love it here, I really do. I love these experiences and adventures. I really don’t want to leave them behind to go back to America, a place disdained by every bloke and bird we encounter here in the United Kingdom.

I just wish I could click my heels a few times to refresh for a day.