Upon arriving in London, my first “aha” moment came almost immediately. Since I am studying abroad in England, an english speaking country, I did not experience the immediate stark language difference to clue me into being in a different country as my peers around the world did. However, almost being hit by a car about 2 minutes after emerging from the tube station definitely gave me a rude awakening. 

They tell you to look the opposite way before crossing the street– seems like common sense, right? However, the fact that they drive on the other side of the street truly did not click for me until it was almost too late! What they also don’t tell you is how confusing the crosswalks can be. They aren’t at the intersection, are sometimes unmarked, give you about 3 seconds to cross, don’t have sound, and the drivers are not the most understanding. 

Thus, I found myself about to walk across the narrow, cobblestone street that I didn’t know was a street that cars could fit down, with a car speeding around the corner. Luckily, I did look both ways and see it just in time. However, this was a rude awakening that London and Pittsburgh have stark differences in aspects as simple as driving habits. 

As a matter of life or death, this quickly became a learning opportunity, and was definitely a mental adjustment to realize that cars are coming from the opposite way. Beyond that, it helped me realize that small cultural and lifestyle differences truly do make a difference, and that everyone’s version of “normal” is different. 

So, if you are reading this, take it as a sign to be more careful than you think you need to be when crossing the street in London! 

Driving by London’s “most famous pub” on the other side of the street! I was also told about a girl who rented a car and drove the wrong way through a roundabout and crashed. You go in through the left side!