If you could go back a few weeks, what would you tell your old self to better prepare for the trip? What specifically would you do differently, and why? 

During this trip, part of me felt like I was not meant for the experience. To add context, I didn’t know too much about Shakespeare, besides the fact that schools across America love to assign their students these old pages of literature. I never understood how culturally relevant Shakespeare is to today, or why some of the other students gushed as we roamed the streets of Stratford. However, as we continued to explore London and attend the shows, I was able to feel first-hand why Shakespearean plays are so enriching. People take his plays and make multiple variations and it seems to become a whole new story. Theatres and actors question subjects such as social norms and race, adding more and more depth to the experience and storyline. These plays remain relatable and meaningful to all audiences, despite the new themes they take on. Although this trip was not an opportunity for me to indulge in something I’m interested in, it gave me something new I can be interested in.