Hi everyone! My name is Ayza and I am a junior at Pitt studying psychology and business. I am from South Jersey, right outside of Philadelphia, and this is my first time ever traveling alone! This experience is definitely daunting, but, as the oldest daughter often in charge of planning family trips and events, I am hopeful those skills will be transferable. 

I grew up with incredibly overprotective parents, having barely spent a night without them before college. Thus, being on my own in an entirely new country will necessitate stepping out of my comfort zone and taking this independence in stride. Instead of being only a 1-day car ride away, my support system will be on the other side of the world. Through the program, I hope to become a more confident and independent person and traveler. London itself is a huge city, and I anticipate feeling overwhelmed by the size, trying not to get lost (both physically and metaphorically). However, I hope to use this as a learning experience to become accustomed to living in a global hub. 

After a 7 hour flight, accompanied by a screaming baby (I got maybe 2 hours of sleep), I have finally arrived in London! I jumped right on the tube to Kensington and Chelsea to meet a family friend who I stayed with for my first day here. In hindsight, do not recommend taking the tube with your luggage, as some of the stations were HUGE with steps and no elevators, but it was a great way to get quickly acclimated to the culture and pace of London. Since my family friend is a London local, I had the experience of seeing her flat and how she lives, taking advice, getting all the best food recommendations, and taking a wonderful walk through Kensington Gardens. I am excited to continue exploring and move into my flat!